Temple Israel of Scranton, PA

Inclusive, welcoming, egalitarian synagogue serving Lackawanna, Pike, Wyoming, Wayne, Susquehanna and on July 14, 1921. Kahn was engaged as Rabbi. A. B. First, Mr.

Temple Israel was founded to fulfill a need of many Jewish Scrantonians who wanted a Conservative approach to their religious practices. These Jewish men and women wanted a more traditional approach to Judaism than had been practiced by the American Reform movement. They took steps to organize, meeting as an official group at the Y.M.H.A. By August 11, 1921, the group had named the newly formed sy

nagogue "Temple Israel." A building (a former church) was purchased with plans to remodel. During the last months of 1921, Rabbi Alfred H. Cohen, a Scranton philanthropist, headed a committee to organize a Hebrew school and the newly formed Temple was granted a charter and constitution. The following years saw change in the Temple organization. Saul Goldforb was Cantor, and in 1923, William S. Horn was named Cantor and teacher. Also, a new Rabbi, Max Arzt, was hired on January 15, 1924. With the growth of a larger membership, a new building became a necessity. Many fund-raising events were held in the community to offset the cost of both a new Temple edifice and a new Hebrew school, which already had four teachers, including Cantor Horn and Louis Wolf, a famous Jewish educator. The new building was to be built on the site of the older one. Albert Gottlieb and Louis Reisman, the latter a Scranton native, were hired as architects. The official "Laying of the Cornerstone" of the Temple took place on June 19, 1927. The later years saw six other rabbis hired as spiritual leaders in Temple Israel, Rabbi Arthur T. Buck in June 1939, Rabbi Dr. Simon H. Shoop in December 1948, Rabbi Yaacov Rone in 1990, Rabbi David Geffen in 1993, Rabbi Joseph Mendelsohn in 2004, Rabbi Moshe Sacks, and our present spiritual leader, Rabbi Miriam T. Spitzer in 2020. Cantor William S. Horn retired in 1973. He was succeeded by several other Cantors until Cantor Marshall Wolkenstein was hired in 1988, and Cantor Vladimir Aronzon in 1998. With the increasing population of the eastern and northernmost counties of Pennsylvania, Temple Israel has increasingly become a hub for Conservative Jewish life in Northeastern Pennsylvania
Temple Israel looks to its proud heritage of the past as a firm foundation to a strong future. We welcome all of the Jewish faith to join our Temple family. Those interested in exploring their Judaism or are considering conversion to our faith should contact our Rabbi via this page or by calling the synagogue office. Welcome!

05/25/2022

Rabbinical Assembly Heartbroken by Shooting in Uvalde, Texas
Posted on: Wednesday May 25, 2022

Following the killing of 19 schoolchildren and two adults, in Uvalde, TX, and the wounding of others, the Rabbinical Assembly (RA), the international association for Conservative/Masorti rabbis, issued the following statement:

“This event is simply heart-breaking. Children must be more precious to America than its guns.

“While our hearts and sincere prayers go out to the people of Uvalde, especially the families of the victims, thoughts and prayers have never been enough; it is past time for action. It is the lack of action that has brought us Sandy Hook and Parkland and too many other mass shootings to list. And now Uvalde.

“It is high time that United States politicians, currently obsessed with reelection campaigns, put aside partisanship in order literally to save lives. They must firmly and immediately enact meaningful gun reform legislation. The same with mental health reform.

"As we have said all too often – and too recently – we offer our deepest condolences and support to all those impacted by this despicable attack and reiterate our vehement condemnation of gun violence.

“The Rabbinical Assembly has spoken out many times against gun violence in the United States. We unequivocally call upon lawmakers to immediately take all available measures to ensure the safety of the public and to limit the availability of guns. As our tradition reminds us, 'Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor' (Leviticus 19:16).”

12/09/2021

We have unparalleled access to tremendous scholarship. Temple Israel is a Scholar stream Sponsor! Call the office for the code and learn for free.

The series on The Other Within - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in a Pluralistic Movement will begin on Wednesday, January 19. Please register by 5:00 PM ET on Monday, January 17 to make sure you receive the Zoom link for Session 1. Our moderator for these session will be Alex Friedman from JTS.

07/18/2021

https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/conservative-movement-condemns-extremist-takeover-kotel

www.rabbinicalassembly.org

Conservative Movement Leadership Meets with President Herzog and Others in Israel

07/16/2021

https://crm.uscj.org/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=4999

Conservative Movement Leadership Meets with President Herzog and Others in Israel This week, Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) and the Rabbinical Assembly (RA), led a movement delegation that met in-person with Israel’s new President, Isaac "Bougie" Herzog, several members of his cabinet, foreign ministers, and representatives fr...

06/25/2021

Shabbat Shalom! - https://mailchi.mp/a053f2094452/see-whats-happening-at-temple-israel-13394119

06/18/2021

Shabbat Shalom! - https://mailchi.mp/ec291998bcdb/see-whats-happening-at-temple-israel-13391571

06/09/2021

Destination Freedom
The Underground Railroad Walking Tour of Waverly

Please join us for a private tour just for our Temple
Sunday, June 13th at 10:00 AM

Meet at: The Waverly Community House,
1115 N. Abington Road, Waverly

Please RSVP by June 10th

05/26/2021

We will not remain silent as antisemitic harassment and assaults are on the rise. Make your voice heard — during the Day of Action tomorrow, 5/27 at 4:00 PM ET and demand that U.S. Congress protect American Jews from hate: Actagainstantisemitism.org.

05/16/2021

Omer Inspirations -

Omer Inspirations

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Telephone

(570) 342-0350

Website

http://www.templeisraelscranton.org/

Address

918 E Gibson Street
Scranton, PA
18510

Opening Hours

Tuesday	8:30am - 3pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 3pm
Thursday	8:30am - 3pm
Friday	8:30am - 1:30pm