Temple Life

Temple Israel offers its members a host of opportunities to grow spiritually, intellectually and socially.

Besides morning and afternoon minyanim and Sabbath and holiday services, the synagogue is proud of its Kol Kavanah gatherings one Saturday per month where attendees can sing along with a guitarist and participate in provocative discussions. There is also a monthly Tot Shabbat service, held on Friday nights, that is increasingly popular with our young families.

Along with Sunday school classes for children, taught by an outstanding staff of dedicated instructors, Rabbi Michael Panitz leads Talmud and Torah classes for adults. The synagogue joins with two other Conservative congregations in the area, Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach and Beth El in Norfolk, to conduct United Hebrew School, a twice a week program for ages 8-13, held in separate sites in the two cities.

Temple members are involved in a host of volunteer activities, from cooking and landscaping to reading Torah and long range planning. The Sisterhood runs the Temple Gift Shop, raises funds for necessary improvements, caters many meals and along with The Men’s Club, does the little and big things that keep a synagogue functioning on all cylinders.

Come by any Shabbat or stop in during the week to see our stunning sanctuary, meet our Rabbi and office staff and learn why Temple Israel, founded more than a half century ago, continues to be home to wonderful families, like yours.