Temple Israel was founded in 1923 when six Jewish families dedicated to the principles of Reform Judaism met to create the first Temple in the Palm Beaches. Our current site was dedicated in March of 1951. In 1991, a two million dollar renovation was undertaken. The physical plant boasts a soaring, contemporary sanctuary with a unique walk-in ark, two floors of classroom space and administrative offices, a 7,000 volume Judaica library, and an elegant social hall with full catering facilities, surrounding a bamboo lined courtyard.

In the summer of 2008 we moved to the JCC while we are updating our facilities.

Temple Israel's Collection of Torahs
including the Holocaust Torah
(second from the middle on the right).

The Temple Israel Lion
by Ruslan Sergeev

The Stained Glass Windows of Temple Israel

One of the most beautiful features of our sanctuary are our stained glass windows. They are so much a part of our worship that they traveled with us to the Jewish Community Center where special "walls" were created to display them. There are 14 windows, each created by Linda Abbott, a well known stained glass artist, and we have featured them here where they were in our sanctuary.

The windows begin on the south wall as you enter the sanctuary with:

1. "Vayomer" - Light has not yet been created.
2. "Echad" - God and Creation are one.
3. "Sephirot" - A Kabbalistic interpretation of the moment of beginning
4. "Elohim" - God's names hovering over darkness.
5. "Tzitzit" - And you shall make fringes...to remind you.
6. "Yehi" - Being and becoming; light is almost born.
7. "Or" - Light. The light of God with which we gain perspective.
   

The windows on the north wall beginning at the Bimah and ending as you leave the sanctuary :

1. "Va Yehi Or" - The light of God enters the world.
2. "The Pillar of Fire" - The road to deliverance.
3. "Ner Mitzvah" - The commandment is a lamp; Torah is a light.
4. "The Burning Bush" - I must stop and look at this marvelous sight.
5. "Ki Tov" - The Shabbat candles shine with the goodness of holiness and rest.
6. "Orah Vi-Simcha" - The Jews had light and gladness and deliverance is at hand.
7. "Hamavdil" - The wicks of the braided Havdallah candle separate light from darkness and bless us as we leave the Sanctuary.

South Wall

North Wall