Temple Israel (Memphis)

06/26/2026

Friday Night Shabbat

06/26/2026

Last Shabbat, we were honored to host a panel on Gun Violence Awareness featuring Mary Powers from Moms Demand Action Memphis () and Dr. Regan Williams, Medical Director of Trauma Services at . Moderated by Temple member Dr. Erica Kaye, this powerful conversation highlighted the small ways that each of us can help build a safer Memphis community. Watch their full conversation through the link in our bio.

06/26/2026

Step inside our BKL ELC’s new classrooms, the first of which will be complete by August! Our classrooms have been thoughtfully redesigned with 2026 standards of safety, accessibility, and developmental practice while adding natural light, child-height fixtures, and sensory-smart design.

As we meet the growing demand for our preschool, the remaining funds required for this project are not just for Temple — they support Memphis’ total Jewish future.
Join the hundreds of generous donors toward our Vision 2026 capital campaign: timemphisvision2026.org/bkl-elc.

06/21/2026

The message of Father's Day, according to Rabbi Micah Greenstein, is that the best men are those who know true power is not a fist but an open hand and heart. Read the rest of his column from today's Daily Memphian here: https://www.timemphis.org/blog?post_id=1741699

06/19/2026

Join us for a special Shabbat service highlighting the urgent intersection of gun violence prevention and mental health. We are honored to welcome a panel of community leaders and experts who will discuss the impact of gun violence on individuals and families, the role of mental health support, and opportunities for meaningful action. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Erica Kaye and will feature Dr. Regan Williams, Medical Director of Trauma Services at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, and Mary Powers, leader of the Memphis chapter of Moms Demand Action. Together, they will offer insight, expertise, and hope as we engage this critical issue through a Jewish lens of healing and responsibility. This special panel is presented by Temple Israel's Rabbi James A. Wax Institute for Social Justice. The Rabbi James A. Wax Center for Social Justice seeks to promote justice and equality so that all people can live with dignity and hope. The Center is a contemporary resource for education and discussion, created to actively address issues concerning social and economic equity as well as all matters of social justice in our community and beyond, as inspired by the life and legacy of Rabbi Wax.

06/19/2026

We officially welcomed our youngest—our “First Fruits”—into our Temple Israel community over Shavuot, the spring harvest festival. The intimate ceremony offered a special blessing for families with babies born within the past year. We can’t wait to watch them continue to grow here at Temple!

06/19/2026

Help us support the Immigrant Pantry by donating individually packaged snack items for care bags. Donations may be dropped off at the Welcome Center at Temple by Monday, June 29, or purchased through our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1RRAGDU5AHKGT?ref_=wl_share

06/16/2026

Rabbi Leah traveled down to in Utica, where so many Temple Israel campers and staff are spending their summer! ☀️ What a special opportunity to witness their friendships and fun in a joyful Jewish setting, their home away from home.

06/16/2026

06/15/2026

Pull up a chair and settle in for an intimate evening of music and storytelling at Songwriters’ Circle at TI Crosstown on June 27 at 7:30 PM. This free event will feature performances and conversation with Eleanor Tallie Steinberg, Jacob Sunshine, Jeremy Orosz, Rusty Graber, and Faith Ruch Evans, with Bruce Newman serving as MC for the evening. Admission is free and includes wine and charcuterie, making it the perfect night out to enjoy live music in one of Memphis’ most creative gathering spaces.