Travel Directions:
Temple Beth El is on Oak Street, one block East of North Ocean Avenue, one block
North of Main Street in Patchogue, NY, on the South Shore of Long Island. North
Ocean Avenue (Rte. 83) can be reached from LIE Exit 63 South, or from the service
road of the Sunrise Highway (Rte. 27 turning south onto Rte. 83) between Rte. 112 and Waverly Ave.
Rabbi: Joel Levinson
Shabbat Evening Services 7, 7:30, 8 PM Friday (see Services) Shabbat Morning Services 9 AM Saturday Monday, Thursday and Rosh Hodesh Morning Services 7:15 AM
President: Martin Bradley Ashare,
Executive Vice President: Jeffrey F. Koodin, First Vice President: Frances Bernstein,
Second Vice President: Susan Privler, Third Vice President: Neil Starkman,
Treasurer: Joel Kessler, Recording Secretary: David Stern,
Corresponding Secretary: Rita Robinson, Advisor To President: Allan H. Markowitz
Allan Aronoff,
Rachel Floch,
Cheryl Gavin,
Dalia Krolewicz,
Lawrence Lazar,
Lisa Lichtenthal,
Arnold Mendelsohn,
Rob Muchnick,
Hy Pryluck,
Richard Rapecis,
Paul Rosenthal,
David Rubin,
Will Ryder,
Amy Savarese,
Richard Siegel,
Sandy Stoll
Over 100 years ago, a group of Jewish people met to establish a
synagogue to meet the needs of the then tiny Patchogue Jewish
community. A synagogue was built at the corner of Oak Street and
Jayne Avenue, which, to this day, remains the center of Jewish life
in this area. When originally built, it had a small balcony for
the women and was heated by a large, cantankerous, pot-bellied
stove.
In 1931, the community realized that it had outgrown its
quarters and plans were formulated to build a larger synagogue.
The new structure was completed in 1933 and dedicated by the
Lieutenant Governor of New York State, the Honorable Herbert H.
Lehman. The mortgage was burned in 1944.
A new addition to our temple was built in 1968. It includes
a modern sanctuary and a social hall, complete with bridal room
and facilities for a caterer. Today with our membership of
about 300 families, we are successfully meeting the needs of our
Jewish community.
Our David and Dorothy Bernstein Hebrew School provides an introduction
to Jewish history, tradition, customs, ceremonies, prayer and Hebrew language for
children from ages 5 through 13.
The Primary Division (Kindergarten through Second grade)
introduces our children to the holidays, Shabbat and festivals,
through arts and crafts, songs and stories. The Hebrew alphabet
is presented, as are simple prayers and blessings. Students
attend on Sunday mornings from 9:30 AM to 12 noon.
The Aleph through Hey Programs meet 4 1/2 hours per week.
In small classes we teach Jewish history and Torah, Hebrew
language and prayers, customs, ceremonies and current events.
All holidays are observed with special programs as we constantly
attempt to relate our rich heritage to today's children. We
emphasize the importance of Israel as the Jewish homeland and
encourage students to participate in Jewish communal activities.
Our curriculum includes Jewish music, tutoring in Hebrew reading,
participation in class Shabbat services, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah
preparation.
The Adult Education Program offers a variety of classes,
special events, and study trips.
Programs include Hebrew, Bible Study, adult Bat Mitzvah
preparation, Israeli Folk Dancing, Jewish Cooking, discussion
groups on Contemporary Jewish Issues, etc.
Special events have included poetry readings, speakers on
vital Jewish topics, cantorial concerts, and a dramatic
Independence Day celebration.
Full day trips to the Jewish Museum, Jewish Theological
Seminary and the Jewish Chapel at West Point have been important
elements in our program.
A special Shabbat service is held on Friday nights. A 7:30 PM Shabbat Family Service
takes place monthly as does a 7 PM Tot Shabbat Service.
On all Friday nights, except for those with 7:30 services,
services are scheduled for 8 PM. This service is geared to meet the
spiritual and
cultural needs of our entire community. Family Blessings and Anniversary
services will be held monthly.
There are weekday Minyans on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:15 AM, and for
Rosh Hodesh at 7:15 AM.
Beautiful Saturday morning Shabbat services at 9 AM are a highlight of the Temple
week. Holiday services and High Holy Day services are an integral and important
part of worship at Temple Beth El. The Hebrew School Junior Congregation meets at
10:30 AM four times a year. Havdalah services are scheduled several times per year.
Temple Beth El's Youth program is for youngsters in grades
5 through 12. Our youth lounge, gymnasium and social hall provide a place
for children and teenagers to meet and discuss topics relevant to
them and to have fun. The youth group is affiliated with other
groups in Suffolk County and the Metropolitan area so our
children have the opportunity to meet and socialize with Jewish
teenagers from the surrounding areas. We attend dances, sports
activities, informative weekends, and host them as well. Our
Youth Program is an integral part of the greater Patchogue Jewish
Community.
Temple Beth El's Sisterhood is affiliated with the National
Women's League for Conservative Judaism.
Programs include Israeli Affairs, Jewish Family Living,
Social Action, Community Welfare, Youth Programming, Holiday
Workshops, Shabbat Dinners, Israeli Craft and Fashion Shows,
Art Exhibits, Auctions, Book Fairs, Trips, and Holiday Parties.
Sisterhood supports our Religious School, Torah Fund, the
Jewish Theological Seminary, and other community, civic and
welfare organizations.
The Men's Club is an association in which men of the
community gather socially, athletically, and spiritually.
Social functions include Square Dances, Sock Hops, Military
Bridge Nights, trips to Atlantic City, and Family Fishing Trips.
The Softball Team, a group of well-seasoned veterans,
strives each year for success. A fun time is our best reward.
Rookie players are always welcome.
The Beth El Adult Club is a group of interested men and
women who felt the need for a Jewish retired adults club in our
community. JASA (Jewish Association for Services for the Aged)
gave the club the needed moral support and some financial help
by partially sponsoring bus trips, entertainment, and speakers.
The aim of this club is to permeate a fraternal, social,
and cultural spirit in our adult Jewish community and to assist
and cooperate with other such community organizations.
Meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of every
month. Coffee and bagels are available at each meeting. New
members are welcome.
The Patchogue Chevra Kadisha, the Hebrew Burial Society,
is an integral part of our Jewish Community. This group of
dedicated men and women is constantly and unfailingly prepared
to assist bereaved families in every possible way. These
community-minded people are literally on call 24 hours a day,
never stinting in their efforts to help ease a most difficult
time. They skillfully and quietly arrange all the details
from the moment of the person's passing through interment
itself.
Temple Beth El features a substantial library run by a
knowledgeable and enthusiastic group of volunteers with an
excellent collection of books for adults and for children.
The Sisterhood of Temple Beth El maintains a gift shop
that includes an excellent assortment of items for religious
holidays, children's toys with a Jewish theme, and a varied
choice of gift items. Contact the temple office at +1-631-475-1882
for information on gift shop hours.
Temple Beth El is on Oak Street, one block East of North Ocean Avenue, one block
North of Main Street in Patchogue, NY, on the South Shore of Long Island. North
Ocean Avenue (Rte. 83) can be reached from LIE Exit 63 South, or from the service
road of the Sunrise Highway (Rte. 27 turning south onto Rte. 83) between Rte. 112 and Waverly Ave.
