Annual Lectures and Concerts:

The Howard H. Bachrach Memorial Concert - In Its 12th Season!!

Each Fall, at the Chanukah Season, Temple Israel presents a concert of Jewish liturgical music, performed by the Temple Israel Ensemble with Cantor Robert Abelson, under the direction of Louise Basbas. For the past two years, the renowned contemporary music organization Continuum(r), under the direction of co-founder and Temple member, Cheryl Seltzer, joined our ensemble to create a truly magical performance.

These concerts feature rarely performed music from different periods of "Jewish Music." The concert is open to the public and attracts a loyal audience of sophisticated music lovers. The concert was established in memory of Howard H. Bachrach, a cherished member of the Temple, Treasurer of the Board of Directors and passionate music lover who died in 1994.

The Dr. Hyman & Jerrold Levy Memorial Concert

This concert has been Mrs. Muriel Levy's gift to Temple Israel for the past four years as a tribute to her late husband and son who were both ardent music lovers. The concert features the Musicians of Lenox Hill, which is comprised of director and flutist Soo-Kyung Park; Cyrus Beroukhim, violin; Jessica Meyer, viola; Alberto Parrini, cello; Jae-Hyuck Cho, piano, and Jessica Zhou, harp. These young musicians began playing together at the Juilliard School. Since graduation, all six have launched formidable individual careers, filled with local and international accolades for performances and competitions. The Musicians of Lenox Hill's first appearance at Temple Israel in 1999 stimulated the formation of the annual Dr. Hyman and Jerrold Levy Memorial Concerts.

Text Courses

Every Saturday morning, during regular Sabbath Services, the weekly portion of the Torah is examined. On Sabbath mornings when no Bar or Bat Mitzvah is celebrated, the congregation participates in an in-depth discussion of the portion, taking into account modern theories of textual criticism as well as traditional insights.

Community Action Projects

On the Friday evening immediately preceding Passover ("Shabbat HaGadol" or "The Great Sabbath"), the Community Action Committee sponsors a special program addressing the most timely issues of social justice such as Censorship, Health Care, Children and Education, Welfare Reform and Security.

Guest Speakers

Throughout the year, small luncheon or dinner meetings are arranged with outstanding scholars, community leaders, visiting dignitaries and other special guests, for members of the congregation who have demonstrated their interesting, and support of the Temple's mission. These gatherings provide an intimate forum for the discussion of issues of vital importance to our community.

Public Events

Temple Israel also makes its facilities available, when possible, specific outside groups for public meetings and programs consistent with the mission of the congregation. In the past, organizations such as YIVO, The Education Fund for Israeli Civil Rights and Peace, The Churchill School, The Yorkville Common Pantry, New York Society Library, ARZA World Union, National Council of Jewish Women, URJ, have used Temple Israel as the venue for special events and programs.