By Erica Slutsky | Communications Manager Tell us a bit about your background, education, and training. What led to you Temple Emanu-El? I’m a rising third-year rabbinical student at HUC-JIR (Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion) New York. In between undergrad and rabbinical school, I worked in development for the Central Conference of American Rabbis, …
By Erica Slutsky | Communications Manager Tell us more about your education and training and what led you to becoming a rabbi. Twenty-five years ago, I was ordained as a Reform rabbi by HUC-JIR (Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion), but my academic path to the rabbinate began here at Temple Emanu-El. My parents were …
By Erica Slutsky | Communications Manager Longtime Temple Emanu-El members might know Frank Bamberger from his distinctive backpack and welcoming demeanor in person. Or they may have already met him by phone or on Zoom, given his participation in so many programs. Having joined a few years ago, Frank loves kvelling about his involvement in …
Heritage Society: Save the Date
What is the Heritage Society?
Established to thank and honor our many generous members and friends who have included a donation to Congregation Emanu-El in their estate plan, The Heritage Society consists of Emanu-El’s most devoted members and friends. These gifts, to be received in the future, will ensure Emanu-El’s continued leadership and excellence just as earlier bequests have helped to build the Emanu-El of today. This is a sacred bond linking generation to generation. If you have already provided for a gift to the temple on your estate plan, or for more information about how to include a bequest to Emanu-El of today. This is a sacred bond linking generation to generation. If you have already provided for a gift to the temple in your estate plan, or for more information about how to include a bequest to Emanu-El, please contact Robyn Cimbol at 212-507-9524 or .
This article originally appeared in our May/June 2019 Bulletin. By Beth Pilchik Temple Member and Religious School Parent On February 9, 2019, we celebrated our older son Miles’s bar mitzvah. We chose Temple Emanu-El for many reasons: Our friends belonged and liked it, religious school was one day a week, everyone seemed nice, and a …
The Koeppel Family The Koeppel Family By Jaime Koeppel Temple Member When my husband Max and I were looking to join a synagogue in Manhattan, there was no question for Max that he wanted us to join Temple Emanu-El… after all, Max had become a Bar Mitzvah at Emanu-El, all of his siblings and his …
Our guest speaker Robert O’Donnell, Founder of 38 Paces, a firm providing communications, political consulting, and production services to political, media, film, technology, corporate, non-profit, financial and advocacy clients. Rob also served as the Director of Broadcast Media in the Obama White House. He currently serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at Roosevelt House, a Human Rights and Public Policy Institute – a part of Hunter College.
Cost: $30 for Women’s Auxiliary and Men’s Club members; $40 for all other temple members and their guests. RSVP by Thursday, February 21.
MEMBERSHIP
The minimum membership dues for the fiscal year beginning June 2023 are:
| Membership Type | Membership Dues | Security Fee | Total Yearly Commitment |
| Individual (household with one adult and no children) | $1,750 | $240 | $1,990 |
| Family (household with one adult with children under 25) | $2,700 | $240 | $2,940 |
| Family (household with two adults with or without children under 25) | $2,700 | $480 | $3,180 |
We encourage all of our members to reserve seats in our traditional Emanu-El High Holy Days services; seats are available in both the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary and the Leon Lowenstein Sanctuary. If you would like to learn more about reserved seating options, please contact the Membership Office or visit High Holy Days Seating.
An individual membership is defined as a single-person household; a family membership is defined as two adults or at least one adult with children under 25.
Membership dues are based on the age of the oldest adult in the household; households below the age of 35 pay young-member rates.
All memberships are automatically renewed on June 1 each year. Membership Dues will be billed to all households and cover most aspects of Membership at Temple Emanu-El.
We also offer Out-of-Town Membership for those who wish to be part of our community and live more than 150 miles from New York City.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP*
* Not available to Out-of-Town Memberships, which offer separate benefits.
SECURITY FEE
To help maintain the highest standards of security technology and professional support, for your safety we charge a security fee of $240 per adult. Associate and Young Members contribute $90 per adult or $115 per couple.
OTHER MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Membership for Young Adults in Their 20s and 30s
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to connect with their heritage, engage with a supportive community and access temple membership regardless of their age or financial situation. We understand that many young adults are starting their careers or have other financial obligations, and we don’t want that to be a barrier to joining our community. This is why we offer the following special Introductory Memberships for Young Professionals.
Please note that children of current temple members may remain on their parents’ membership until age 25, at which point they are invited to become Associate Members.
Emanu-El Downtown Membership
Temple Emanu-El invites individuals and families living downtown to become members of our temple with a special Introductory Emanu-El Downtown Membership.
Out-of-Town Membership
Temple Emanu-El is now proud to offer the warmth and majesty of our historic synagogue to individuals in our growing audience of online viewers.
If you live 150 miles outside or more of New York City, we hope you’ll join us in being part of this vibrant and storied community by taking advantage of our special Out-of-Town Membership.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial means should never be a barrier to membership, so please contact the Membership Department if you need to make special payment arrangements or to request a reduction in dues.
When you join us at Temple Emanu-El, you become part of the rich history–and the future–of our congregation, which has served and led the New York Reform Jewish community for more than 175 years. You become a unique and important individual in our diverse community of more than 2,200 Jewish households, all connected by a common purpose: To support one another in heart and spirit and to advocate for the oppressed and marginalized in New York City and around the world. Temple Emanu-El is a home for the spirit. Whether weekly or just once a year, you can gather with others in our soaring sanctuary, a space that inspires awe and humility and nourishes the soul. There, our rabbis guide the congregation with insightful sermons that are relevant and thought-provoking, and our cantor, organist and professional choir uplift us with music. As a member, you can also choose from a range of volunteer opportunities, challenge your mind through our educational programs, and enroll your children in our joyous nursery school and one of the most innovative religious schools in New York. An important function of any synagogue is fostering community — connecting members to one another and encouraging the formation of lasting friendships. We invite you to get involved with one of our many clubs and groups for all ages and interests.
Temple Emanu-El is a bold Reform congregation where warmth and majesty meet. We offer you a home for the spirit. Whether weekly or just once a year, you can gather with others in our soaring sanctuary, a space that inspires awe and humility and nourishes the soul. Whether you are with us in person or with us in spirit online, our rabbis, cantors and educators engage us with insightful sermons that are relevant and thought-provoking, and our cantors, organist and professional choir uplift us with music.
We know that an important function of any synagogue is fostering community — connecting members to one another and encouraging the formation of lasting friendships. We welcome you to get involved with one of our many community groups for all ages and interests.
We embrace our diverse membership and believe that our unique identities, perspectives and experiences enhance our community. We strive to create an environment where everybody feels seen, heard, and valued. We believe that we are enriched by the unique religious backgrounds and traditions of our members and all who worship with us–interfaith families, Jews by choice, religious seekers and the Jewishly curious–whether you come twice a year or every week, we welcome you just as you are and invite you to find your place at Temple Emanu-El.
Learn about membership rates, fees, additional membership options, and reserved seating rates for the High Holy Days.
Review and download our membership form. We look forward to receiving your application.
If you live 150 miles or more outside of New York City, we hope you’ll consider being part of our vibrant and storied Jewish community.
