“Torah, Tefillah, and Tikkun Olam: Lifelong Learning, Joyful Worship and Repairing the World”
Temple Israel is a vibrant and inclusive community of 400 families from 22 towns and cities west of Boston. We are young and old, families and singles, interfaith, people with disabilities, LGBTQ and straight. And we welcome you!
Our mission is to support the unique Jewish journey of each of our members, and to build community through lifelong learning (Torah), joyful worship (Tefillah), and attention to the needs of others (Tikkun Olam). We are inspired by a vision of Judaism that is empowering, evolving, devoutly egalitarian, and passionately bonded to the people and land of Israel. We invite you to form lasting relationships that will provide you with strength and support in life’s hard times, shared joy in life’s good times, and friendship at all times!
Our vision of Conservative Judaism is evolving, actively welcoming, and inclusive. We strive to build a sacred community (Kehillah Kedoshah) that supports each member’s unique Jewish journey, providing multiple gateways for both mind and spirit along the way.
Our core values include:
Torah – We are committed to building a curriculum of Jewish living in which we can discover ourselves both in the text of Torah and in the Torah of our lived experience. Together, we celebrate the cycle of the year and the life-cycle of the individual, in the sanctuary, the classroom, and the home.
Gratitude and Joy (Hodayah V’Simchah) – We are committed to a culture of gratitude and joy, both in our worship and in the way we care for each other. We value Prayer (Tefillah) as a core Jewish expression of the spirit. Recognizing that no one size fits all, we utilize both traditional and innovative models of prayer, music, and spiritual practice in an effort to touch the soul.
The People of Israel (Ahavat Klal Yisrael) – The Sage Hillel said, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?” We hold our love for the Jewish people, to whom we are attached by covenant and history, above any differences which may seem to divide us. The unfolding story of the people of Israel in the Land of Israel in modern times is our story, and we understand our support for the State of Israel as a sacred obligation and a privilege.
Generosity and Justice (Chesed and Tzedek) – Hillel also said, “If I am only for myself, who am I?” We are committed to improving the welfare of others, within our congregation, the greater community, and the world. Hillel concluded: “And if not now, when?” We strive to be a welcoming and inclusive community.
Service (Avodah) – We honor volunteerism and communal service as holy work, and as opportunities for personal growth. We cultivate leadership skills, and encourage individuals to aspire to positions of communal responsibility. We strive to establish a culture of transparency in which every member understands the process of communal governance and can contribute to it.
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