Temple Israel

In 1977 I rejoined my Hirschl family by converting to Judaism, a wonderful religion, based on what is Right & Just, see Genesis 18:19. Since then I have served in several leadership roles at Temple Israel, including the president, treasurer and a member of the Pulpit & Worship Committee; now at age 92, I am pleased that others have assumed these ro... les and the Temple is being well served by outstanding members. I love that the congregation is small. If you really want to get to know other members, its not so hard to do that. I love that Temple Israel is a comfortable place for everyone to be themselves.young, old, single, families with children, couples without children, more prosperous, not so prosperous, Jews by birth, Jews by choice, interfaith families and same-sex couples. Everyone is at home at Temple Israel. The first time I came to Temple Israel, I was scared, nervous and unsure of how I would be accepted being a non-Jew. The first person I met welcomed me with warmth and acceptance. She invited me to sit with her, explaining the form and manner of the service. The Rabbi was equally kind and accepting, never viewing me as a stranger. In the months following that first visit, Temple Israel and its members became family to me and now, today, I am a Jew-by-choice and proud! The mission of Temple Israel is to create the feeling of a Jewish home within the congregation, to honor the history of the Lafayette Jewish community and to ensure its continuity. We will do this by practicing our core values Jewish worship and education, tikkun olam (repairing the world) and inclusiveness as well as by building partnerships with others both in the Jewish and non-Jewish communities.Read More