The history of Temple Beth-El on City Island during the past 70 years is more than the story of a small house of worship in a small community.

It is also the story of the community which extended the hand of brotherhood and assistance to help us get started and to become an integral and contributing part of that community. Without the whole-hearted support of the churches, organizations and people of City Island, there would be no Temple Beth-El today.

“The Congregation Temple Beth-El” was founded in 1934 by 17 men of the Jewish faith. They met at the home of Mr. Jacob Katz on Orchard Street (now Hawkins St.). The men purchased a handful of prayer books and held services in the members’ homes

.At first, only men were admitted to membership and permitted to hold office. Women were permitted to join as “associate” members and were encouraged to form a “Women’s Auxiliary”.

Possibly anticipating the coming of the Women’s Lib movement, the following year saw the formation of a committee to investigate the possibility of an amalgamation of the two groups into one organization.

By 1936, the number of members increased and the congregation began renting space to hold services and meetings. The most popular location was a store at 385 City Island Avenue (which was also being used by the American Legion at that time.)

In February of 1942, Temple Beth-El organized the first Jewish Religious School on City Island. Classes were held in the Methodist Church classrooms.

By 1942, Temple Beth-El was well established on City Island. Services during the year were led by individual members. On the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur a Rabbi was obtained, usually a recently ordained student of the Jewish Theological Seminary of New York.

Also, World War II was upon us and the Jewish Community felt it had a responsibility to aid in the war effort along with the other City Island organizations. Thus, in October, 1942, the Temple began to widen its scope of activities and officially changed its name to the City Island Jewish Center.

With the end of the war, there was a further increase in the number of Jewish residents and serious consideration was being given to acquiring land on which to build a temple.

Services continued to be held in various locations, including the Methodist Church meeting rooms, the Masonic Temple, and the American Legion Hall. Finally, in 1956, the dream became reality as ground was broken for the erection of a Temple building on City Island Avenue.

In September of 1957, a large gathering of City Islanders joined with local and city dignitaries as dedication ceremonies officially opened our new Temple.

Since then, Temple Beth-El at 480 City Island Avenue has been our home, providing us not only with a sanctuary for the worship of G-d, but also as a center of Jewish education and a meeting place for social and cultural activities.

We have never forgotten the thoughtfulness and cooperation shown us by our many friends of the community throughout the years when we had no permanent home as well as today when we hold fund raising activities.

In the same spirit, since the creation of the Temple, we have accommodated such groups as the Civic Association, CIVAC — the Volunteer Ambulance Corps (now disbanded), the Girl Scouts, etc. After the unfortunate fire which gutted the Masonic Hall, the Temple became the temporary meeting hall of the Masons and the Eastern Stars.

Temple Beth-El of C.I. is proud of the 40 years of harmonious relationships it has had with the community and the houses of worship on City Island. We look forward to many more years of cooperation and brother-hood as we work together to fulfill G-d’s Will.

Temple Beth-El

is located at

48o City Island Ave.

City Island, NY

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