BUILDING OUR HOME TOGETHER

An ambitious vision for the future of Temple Israel has brought us to this pivotal moment in the life of our congregation.

This is a transformative moment in the life of our congregation. Your support of this project will allow Temple Israel to bring this historic renovation to fruition. We stand on the foundation of those who built before us – now it is our turn to build an even better Temple Israel for this generation and the next.

Capital Campaign Brochure
Capital Campaign Giving Circles
Capital Campaign Naming Opportunities
Ways to Give

Please click here to make your gift.  Thank you!

BONIM B’YACHAD: BUILDING OUR HOME TOGETHER

A tucked-away treasure on East 75th Street, Temple Israel of the City of New York is a vibrant center of Jewish life with a meaningful and enduring legacy. Founded in 1870 as Congregation Yad B’Yad — Hand in Hand — our community has always been more than a synagogue. It is a spiritual home, a place of learning and belonging, and a congregation that welcomes all who enter with open hearts.

As a family of families, we embody a warmth and sense of connection that lies at the core of who we are. Each of us has our own story of how we found Temple Israel, yet what unites us is powerful: our relationships with clergy, staff, teachers, and one another; our commitment to Jewish learning and values; our embrace of inclusivity; and our shared belief in being part of something greater than ourselves. These values are the beating heart of our congregation.

From our earliest days in Harlem to our home today on the Upper East Side, generations of clergy and lay leaders have nurtured a sacred community—one that inspires and challenges, celebrates and comforts, teaches and uplifts. Temple Israel has always been a place for worship and questioning, for joy and compassion, for tikkun olam (repairing the world) and for purpose.

It is a community we care for deeply—and one that has cared for us.

Now, it is our turn to care for it in return.

A Sacred Responsibility

In Hebrew, Bonim means “building,” and B’Yachad means “together.”  These words are the foundation of our Capital Campaign, launched eight years ago to restore and renew our beloved—and aging—synagogue home.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of more than 150 families, Phase One raised over $30 million, the largest campaign in Temple Israel’s history. These early gifts brought more than renovation—they brought transformation. Today, we pray, learn, gather, and celebrate in a more dynamic and inclusive space that reflects the warmth of our community and the depth of our mission.

Finishing What We Began

Now, it is time for all of us to take part. Phase Two of the campaign will raise the final $18 million to fulfill our vision for Temple Israel—strengthening our foundation today so we can continue to serve generations to come.

This has always been about more than bricks and mortar. It is about deepening Jewish engagement, supporting lifelong learning, nurturing spiritual growth, expanding our schools and programs, and strengthening the bonds that hold us together as a community.

We stand at a pivotal moment in our congregation’s story. With gratitude for the past and excitement for the future, we invite every Temple Israel member—whether you have been here for decades or recently joined—to help bring this historic campaign to completion.

Your Gift Matters

Every gift—at every level—is meaningful. With $18 million still to raise, your participation is vital in shaping the future of Temple Israel.

This is our moment.
This is our community.
This is our home — Bonim B’Yachad.

Make your gift here.

View the Campaign Brochure here. 


Temple Israel of the City of New York is home to a strong, caring and highly active congregation. At the same time, maintenance and operational costs to support our aging facility continue to escalate at an alarming rate.  We are mindful of our status as a contributing building in the Upper East Side Historic District as an important example of the Brutalist architectural movement of the 1950s and have dedicated ourselves to the preservation of our building, however, this effort has not been without mounting costs. We also recognize our obligations to our congregants, including our Early Learning School children, Religious School students, our staff and our guests, and to the community to create a healthful, comfortable and inviting environment within the building.

Temple Israel is excited to move forward with a renovation project that will allow us to meet our increasing congregational needs, help us fulfill our future aspirations and support future generations of Temple Israel members and community.

Our plans specifically call for:

  • Transforming our historic sanctuary to promote flexible seating, energy efficient climate controls, lighting, and AV systems
  • Fortifying our entrance with state-of-the-art security enhancements
  • Enclosing the current front courtyard for both security and functional purposes
  • Upgrading mechanical systems, lighting and elevators that will reduce our carbon footprint
  • Replacing existing windows

Temple Israel has been granted permits to conduct work during off hours. While this may be an inconvenience to our neighbors, this will allow us to accomplish work faster and move on to other areas. We appreciate your patience and flexibility.

Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility during our renovation. Updated progress pictures coming soon!

November 2022

Monday, November 7 though Wednesday, November 16 construction work will be done on the Temple Israel roof. We understand this will cause an increase of construction noises outside of the building. Work will only be conducted from 7am to 6pm as allowed by the DOB.

September 2022

The dramatic renovation of our Main Sanctuary continues forward. An intricate maze of scaffolding has been erected to begin the process of replacing our Sanctuary ceiling. We were thrilled to welcome long-time member Ruth Hirsch (pictured above) to witness this history-making moment. Please know that although spaces in our building are under construction, Temple Israel continues to be open to all of our members and friends and we look forward to greeting you in person.

May 2022

Initial work includes closure of a portion of the courtyard and interior work in the courtyard. Our Lexington Avenue entrance will be closed temporarily. The entrance closest to Park Avenue is open for use.

LATEST UPDATES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We hope to keep to this expected schedule but will keep you updated if there are any unexpected delays in our plans. Check back to this page for detailed updates on the construction timeline as they become available.

↑

Skip to content