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Temple Judea of Manhasset was founded in 1955 by seventy-five dedicated Jewish families.  By 1960, we erected a beautiful sanctuary that created a spiritual environment for prayer and inspiration.  We have since expanded, adding a school and library, and we now stand with a membership of nearly 600 families.  Current congregants include second and third generation temple members and numerous young families from the surrounding communities.  We have many services provided to accommodate the needs of our younger members, including a new, revitalized youth group.  This all being done while we remain true to our long-time traditions.

Temple Judea of Manhasset was founded in 1955 by seventy-five dedicated Jewish families.  By 1960, we erected a beautiful sanctuary that created a spiritual environment for prayer and inspiration.  We have since expanded, adding a school and library, and we now stand with a membership of nearly 600 families.  Current congregants include second and third generation temple members and numerous young families from the surrounding communities.  We have many services provided to accommodate the needs of our younger members, including a new, revitalized youth group.  This all being done while we remain true to our long-time traditions.

Temple Judea is a major force in the North Shore’s Jewish community.  We are connected to the Sid Jacobson “Y” and avail ourselves of their facilities and activities.  Within our own building, our committees provide guidance and supervision over numerous Temple divisions and proceedings.  We are involved in many charitable and compassionate services through our Social Action and Caring Committees, and under the auspices of Adult Education, partake in area and adult education programs.  Our School Committee works very closely with the Educational Director in providing our children with a firm, but broad, Jewish education.  Yearly events, run through the Women of Reformed Judaism, Brotherhood, Fundraising Committees, bring members and families together where fun times are had by all.  We keep our temple and its overall health on firm ground with input from committees such as House & Security, Budget, Fund Raising and Ritual Practices.  The future of our congregation is another major avenue that is an active part our Long Range Planning Committee. Input from all corners of the temple can be heard at the monthly meetings of our Board of Trustees and Executive Board, as well as the Annual and Semi-annual membership meetings.

As we enter our second fifty years, we have many exciting new and continuing developments.  Temple Judea is exceptionally proud of its Holocaust Resource Center.  Headed by world-renown survivor, Irving Roth, we provide educational tours and art exhibits attended by tens of thousands of area students and guests.   After nearly 25 years of dedicated service, Rabbi Abner Bergman has retired, being succeeded by Rabbi Todd Chizner.  Our rabbi brings a world of experience in education, counseling, B’Nai Mitzvah training and spiritual leadership.  We are very excited about the addition this year of Cantor Abbe Sher to our temple family.  Our Educational Director, Ellen Gastwirth, has created an exciting environment conducive to learning and has expanded the school’s curriculum to increase the interest of our children from kindergarten through Hebrew high school.

We at Temple Judea of Manhasset are very excited about our future.  As we continue to grow, we remain loyal to our traditional reform roots while maintaining a family-oriented congregation open to new members, ideas and activities that will make temple involvement more meaningful.  I look forward to having the chance to work along side fellow members in giving of our love to the temple, and in allowing Temple Judea to serve its ever-expanding community base.