Temple Israel (Ottawa)

The Jewish population of Ottawa grew from 20 families in 1889 to approximately 5,500 in 1961.[3] Temple Israel Congregation, which was the first reform congregation in Ottawa, was founded by Bill and Billy Danson, Myrna and Ernie Potechin, Irwin and Elaine Singer, Sam and Jean Bond, along with Madelyn Alexandor in the spring of 1966. By November 1966, the membership consisted of seventeen families. Tenets of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations are followed. In March, 1967 the name Temple Israel was chosen. The first consecration service was held on October 28, 1967 at the Histadrut Centre. Later consecration services were held at the Montefiore Club with occasional large services at the Château Laurier or El Mirador Hotel.[4] From September, 1971-October 1972, the congregation had its first permanent home in the former B’nai Jacob Synagogue on 54 James Street. The building, which had been renovated by Temple Israel, was badly damaged by fire in 1972. Services were held from 1972-1975 in the Montefiore Club, the Jewish Community Centre, 151 Chapel Street and the Unitarian Congregation. In 1975, Temple Israel held their High Holiday services in a newly designed synagogue building on Prince of Wales Drive. Rabbi David Powell served the congregation from the summer of 1967 until June 1972, and was followed by Rabbi Donald Gerber 1972-1976.[5] Rabbi Irwin A. Tanenbaum served the congregation for 8 years, from August, 1986 until July, 1994, as membership reached and exceeded 300 families. [6] Rabbi Steven Garten became rabbi emeritus in 2014 after having served as Temple Israel's spiritual leader 19 years from 1995 -June 2014 and overseeing the direction and curriculum of the Temple Israel Religious school since 2007.[7] Nearly 220 congregants have traveled to Israel on missions guided by Rabbi Garten. From 2014-2015, Norman Klein served as interim rabbi while a search was undertaken for a permanent rabbi. Rabbi S. Robert Morais was installed as permanent rabbi on Nov. 14, 2015.[8]

The regular services at Temple Israel include Thursday morning minyanim and Shabbat and Erev Shabbat service, Torah study classes and conversion classes, festival celebrations, and High Holiday services. There are child friendly Friday Night Services, Bring your dinner Friday Night Services, Shabbat Services, Not your Zaide's Minyan, and Tot Shabbat for preschoolers and parents;[9] The adult education includes: Books and Bagels, Tannach Study, Temple Israel Liberal Judaism Library, and Insight into Judaism course.[10] Since the Reform movement is the leading voice for social justice in Israel, the social action at Temple Israel includes The Baby-Quilt-to-Israel Project, and ARZA Canada. Temple Israel has long-term relationships with homeless shelters, and non-Jewish social justice projects and aboriginal communities. For Africa, Temple Israel raised $15,000 for mosquito nets, and $13,000 for solar cookers. The musical programming at Temple Israel includes concerts and recitals. The liturgical choir chants Torah or Haftorah, the blessings, and leads Shiva or Havdalah services.

Temple Israel conducts interfaith marriages and has a component of interfaith couples in the congregation, ensuring a Jewish education for their children. Temple Israel welcomes alternative Jewish families, such as gay and lesbian ones, transgender ones, and interracial couples, as well as singles.[11]

As of 1 July 2008, each of the Founding Members: Congregation Machzikei Hadas; Congregation Beth Shalom; Agudath Israel (Ottawa); the Jewish Reform Congregation of Ottawa – Temple Israel (Ottawa); Young Israel of Ottawa; Congregation Beit Tikvah of Ottawa transferred to Jewish Memorial Gardens the cemetery lands that they had.[16]