East End Temple

I was a member of the congregation and later the board here when I lived in NYC. It takes a warm, welcoming place to get me to services often, and many Friday nights I was drawn to EET. I went for the beautiful music, inspiring and progressive messages, and strong community within and across age groups. Cantor Shira Ginsburg and Rabbi David Adelson were delightful to listen to and pray with. They have a way of reaching congregants exactly where they are, and they and other temple leaders are also great at soliciting lay leadership. Other gems include staff Sharon in the office, Muhammed the custodian, and longtime congregants and past presidents Karen and Helene. Too many other wonderful people here to mention by name.
My husband and I got married here and had our daughter’s naming ceremony here. When our young family moved to Long Island, we could no longer reasonably attend EET. Yet no synagogue in our new community managed to draw us in much — EET had spoiled us. After we were displaced from our new Long Island home by Hurricane Sandy, however, we were lucky to land in a rental apartment near EET during our slow restoration process. During that fragile time, we returned to our familiar EET community to attend every Friday night service and other temple events. East End Temple really has been like a home away from home, through tough times and times of celebration.
Go a few times and you too may start to feel like it’s family. Best wishes on your Jewish journey.

There’s no place like home. Whether it be a spiritual, social, educational or musical connection our right-​size congregation has it all. Led by a warm rabbi and amazing cantor. We look forward to joining our «temple family» when we can. Great for all ages and diverse backgrounds. I was raised there and so was my son.

We joined in 1993. There have been many changes over the years but one vital constant remains: this is a welcoming, warm, spiritual home to all who are in search of a place where the authentic self is respected. Come for the excellent clergy and stay for the community.

We banded together with three other families post nursery school, after our kids scatted to different primary schools to select a new synagogue. This was to help bind us, and to share our similar spiritual values and needs. We were seeking community, social justice, firm moral compass, an extremely engaging school for our group of kids and a place where community service is real and exacting. We required a place where we could drop in for services and feel engaged; spiritually and intellectually. Our search took more than a year visiting, speaking with parents and attending services at many welcoming places, and ultimately selected EET. Proudly, I can say our process was successful. We have participated and, truly embraced the EET community, from joining committees (who knew) to us and our children making life-​long friends. I have met people here I admire beyond the best Cantor in NYC and our highly connected to each congregant Rabbi. People here are from all walks of life, all over town and all ages. We share the common interests of how comfortably we welcome everyone, to encouraging the right amount of EET for people based on where they are in their life and spiritual journey.

A member of East End Temple for more than a decade, it is my «go-​to» place for comfort and community. We let our membership lapse briefly after our boys were bar mitzvah-​ed and found we missed it terribly. So, now we’re back as members. The lay leadership is smart, plugged in to current social issues and extremely caring. After a recent loss in our family, their support has been immeasurable. The Simchat Shabbats are spiritual and musical magic.

East End Temple has been our congregation for 34 years. We have moved through many facets of temple life, from Religious School parents to currently part of the Baby Boomer group. We have made so many friends among the congregants, and the clergy is sensitive, intelligent, and available. Friday evening services at 6:15 are both calming and uplifting, a wonderful way to end the work week among friends. Opportunities for involvement are varied, and include social action activities, book club, Torah studies, singing with the Cantor, attending interesting programs throughout the year, and much more. See our website, and join us for services. No experience necessary, but be prepared to feel welcomed and comfortable.

I have been going here for about 2 – 3 years now. You won’t find a warmer, more welcoming community than EET. I’m not a parent so I can’t comment on the religious school, but I can say that the rabbi and cantor are very genuine (and talented). Everyone is welcome — this is a very progressive reform congregation — all are welcomed in and encouraged to become part of the community. Services are on Fridays at 6:15pm, check website for Saturday schedule.