Founded in 1949, Temple Beth El has grown into a vibrant and active congregation serving 660 member households from all over Westchester and the community at large.

Our temple building, designed by the important 20th century architect Louis Kahn, was conceived as a memorial to the Eastern European Jewish past, after whose wooden synagogues it was patterned. This spiritual home was completed and dedicated in May 1972.

Temple Beth El offers one of Westchester’s finest Nursery Schools to congregants and non-members alike. Our Religion School and Institute for Jewish Studies provide a wide range of educational programs. Compassionate Mitzvah and Social Action committees, an active Sisterhood, and a year-round schedule of social events fill the Temple Beth El calendar with activities for all.


Since our founding we have been blessed with spiritual leaders who guided the growth of our congregation and helped craft its very special place in Reform Judaism:
Rabbi Solomon Kahn Kaplan (1949-1950; 1952-1960);
Rabbi Sholem A. Singer (1950-1952);
Rabbi C. Melvyn Helfgott (1960-1962);
Rabbi Murray Saltzman (1962-1967);
Rabbi Edward Zerin (1967-1968);
Rabbi Chaim Stern (1968-2001), author, poet, Biblical scholar and Chief Liturgist of the Reform movement, who led our congregation for 33 years.

Rabbi Alan Fuchs joined the Temple Beth El family as Interim Senior Rabbi during the 2001-2002 transition.

Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson became our Senior Rabbi during the summer of 2002.