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HISTORY OF TEMPLE ISRAEL

In June, 1920, a group of men began to dream of a suitable House of Worship to
take care of the religious needs of the Jewish people of Long Beach. Two homes
were used for services that summer, while the Nassau Hotel served as synagogue
for the High Holy Days.

Soon after, Congregation Temple Israel of Long Beach was chartered by the State
of New York and a building fund began. In 1922, the congregation purchased five
lots at the corner of Walnut Street and Riverside Boulevard. Construction was
underway. In 1923, services were held in the sanctuary for the first time. Temple
Israel, the first synagogue in Long Beach, was dedicated on August 31, 1924. That
winter, Rabbi Morris M. Goldberg was called to officiate at a Bar Mitzvah at
Temple Israel and said, "History has proved that Judaism can grow and still live. It
is not a closed and finished product. It is this principle that has inspired us to build
this beautiful edifice. It is here we shall learn that Judaism is not only a religion of
the past. It is a living, cultural and spiritual combination of language, literature,
history, customs and social institutions which must be brought to the hearts of
our men, women and children - particularly the children."

The congregation asked Rabbi Goldberg to continue as spiritual leader and
teacher. He reorganized the Hebrew and Religious Schools, which consisted of
daily and Sunday sessions. Within three years, there was a need for a separate
building to house the school. The foundation was laid in the summer of 1929. The
Talmud Torah Building was dedicated on August 24, 1930, with *Cantor Aaron Caplow
chanting the dedicatory prayers.
As the community and congregation grew, there was a need for a facility to meet
the religious, educational, social and cultural necessities of the community. Thus,
the third building, The Rose and Irving H. Engel Center was dedicated in 1966.

*Of Blessed Memory