About Temple Israel

Temple Israel is a congregation of over 320 families located in the historic seacoast city of Portsmouth, NH, about one hour north of Boston. The congregation, which is over 100 years old, honors its long history while also embracing modernity. Our egalitarian community is affiliated with United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, and  our members come from a broad range of backgrounds and maintain various levels of Jewish practice in their daily lives. Our membership includes congregants from the former Reform synagogue in nearby Dover, NH, which closed in 2018. Temple Israel includes many interfaith families and is welcoming and affirming to our LGBTQ+ members. As the only synagogue in the area, Temple Israel has members from some 20 communities in New Hampshire, southern Maine, and northern Massachusetts.

Temple Israel’s religious school meets on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, enrolling 55 students grades K-7, and it is led by a full-time head of school/family programming director. The temple  also operates a Montessori-style preschool (Early Learning Center) that is open to the community, led by a preschool director. The temple employs a full-time administrative director.