Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island History
On June 9, 1940, a meeting was held to found a Reform Congregation on Staten Island.
On July 14,1948, at the Svea Lodge on Post Avenue, the Charter for Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island was presented to the future congregants.
Our name was inspired by Eretz Yisroel, coming into existence as an independent nation earlier that year.
High Holiday services were held at the Chapel at the then Sailors’ Snug Harbor, now the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. Weekly services were conducted at the Unitarian Church on Fillmore Street.On November 20, 1950, the Gans Mansion at 800 Victory Boulevard was purchased as the first permanent home for the congregation.
The first service was held at that site on June 23, 1951. It was led by Rabbi Jay Robert Brickman.
On May 19, 1959, a fire destroyed the 800 Victory Boulevard building. Rabbi Marcus Kramer saved the Torah Scrolls, Pulpit Bible, and an electric Chanukiah which was a gift from the Confirmation class of 1956.
When a city owned property became available on Forest Avenue, it was decided to sell the former Gans property and move to the new location.In 1960, plans were undertaken to construct a new synagogue on the Victory Boulevard property.
Renowned religious architect Percival Goodman was engaged to design the new Temple. The new Temple Israel Beit K’nesset (our house of gathering), Beit Midrash (our house of study) and Beit T’filah (our house of prayer) was dedicated on September 27, 1964. It included a sanctuary, social hall, and religious school.
Between 1959 and 1964 weekly services returned to the Unitarian Church, the Religious and Hebrew School were at Svea Hall, now a Masonic Temple, while the Temple Office was in a storefront on Broadway. High Holiday services were held at Snug Harbor until the new building opened.
The ability to partner with other local institutions reflected (and continues to reflect) the congregation’s commitment to be an integral part of the Staten Island community.
On October 20, 1975, a Holocaust Torah Scroll from Nachod, Czechoslovakia was given to us by the Westminster Torah Trust in London and formally presented to Temple Israel by Rabbi Hugo Stransky who had originally rescued the scroll in 1936. Rabbi Milton Rosenfeld officiated at the ceremony. NY Times Article October 20, 1975
In June 2014, the Congregation celebrated 50 years in our Forest Avenue location with a Gala and Historical Exhibit, bringing together some of our original members, former clergy and past-presidents and congregants
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In June 2023, the Congregation celebrated its 75th anniversary. Staten Island Advance Coverage of 75th Anniversary
In 2024, on the 60th anniversary of the house of worship, the structure was added to the New York State and National Registry of Historic Places.
Our history continues.
