In 2008, Temple Israel was claimed to be among the largest Reform congregations in the United States.[2] As of 2012[update], the congregation claimed that it is the largest congregation in North America,[3] and the official database of the Union for Reform Judaism reported that the congregation has 3,383 members.[4]
History
The congregation was founded in 1941 in Detroit,[5] in just 60 days before World War II. From the initial meeting to the first High Holiday services led by founder Rabbi Leon Fram just two months later, approximately 600 members chose to join the new congregation.[5]
For nearly a decade, Temple Israel met in the Detroit Institute of Arts auditorium.
In 1949, the congregation erected an Art Moderne-style temple designed by architect William Kapp that officially opened in 1950 in the Palmer Park area of Detroit and remained the congregation's home for 30 years. Cantor Tullman was Temple Israel's first cantor until he died in 1960. Rabbi M. Robert Syme joined the Temple in 1953 to help meet the demands of the steadily growing congregation.[citation needed]
The Temple moved to West Bloomfield in 1980,[6] in a building located on Walnut Lake Road that was designed by Detroit architectural firm of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, who assigned William Kapp as chief architect.[7]
The move to West Bloomfield brought significant growth and positive change.[citation needed] The Early Childhood Center (now named the Susan & Rabbi Harold Loss Early Childhood Center) and Tyner Religious schools were established, and the congregation grew. Temple Israel introduced new programs to help strengthen the bonds of Jewish community building. In 1995, the congregation was the first Reform congregation to open a mikveh.[9]
To modernize and address the growing congregation's needs, Temple Israel completed additional renovations to the Sanctuary in 2017. Temple Israel has since added a host of new technological advancements to make Temple easily accessible in the virtual world - including streaming services so members can participate in our services no matter where they are.[citation needed]
Temple Israel has a unique leadership model. Unlike most traditional multi-clergy synagogues, Temple Israel does not have a 'Senior Rabbi' atop the hierarchy. Each member of the clergy team is considered an equal.
Rabbi Harold Loss is the longest-serving active member of the clergy team, joining Temple Israel in 1971. Rabbi Paul Yedwab joined him in 1986 and Rabbi Josh Bennett in 1995. Rabbi Marla Hornsten became the Temple's first female Rabbi in 2000, and Cantor Neil Michaels joined the clergy in 2002. Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny and Cantor Michael Smolash came on board in the summer of 2004, with Rabbi Jennifer Lader's arrival in 2012.[10]
The executive director of Temple Israel is Jason Plotkin, who began serving the congregation in June 2022.[11] Plotkin is a former President of the Program & Engagement Professionals of Reform Judaism, a Senior Member of the National Association of Temple Administration (NATA) and serves on the North American Board of the Union for Reform Judaism.
