Temple Emanuel has always valued individuality, simplicity and cooperation. This is reflected in our history and evident in the choices we make as we plan for the future.

Temple Emanuel was started in the late 1940s when several members of an area Conservative temple felt that they needed something different and that Reform Judaism more accurately fit their beliefs and lifestyles. The new group met in members’ homes and other locations before the Temple building was completed in 1959.

Today, Temple Emanuel of the Merrimack Valley is still a small Reform Jewish congregation. We belong to the Union of Reform Judaism, the principal affiliating association of Reform Judaism in North America. Other affiliations include the Merrimack Valley Project and the Greater Lowell Interfaith Leadership Alliance.

The Temple Emanuel congregation is a closely knit community which has always valued the strengths of individuality, simplicity, and cooperation. As one of our past presidents said with pride, “This is a do it yourself congregation.” Most of the “work” of our community is contributed by volunteers. It is safe to say that we are an intentionally low budget organization, with very few paid positions. We encourage maximum participation of all members to the degree that they wish and all committees of the congregation welcome members to join in the many activities which comprise the Temple year. The more active our members choose to be, the richer grow the resources and breadth of our programs in worship, celebration, education, and social action. Many members of our congregation, including our Rabbi, are personally involved in organizations committed to tikkun olam (making the world a better place), both affiliated with Judaism and not.

In what ways do we value and practice simplicity? We have never sold tickets of admission to any religious service or observance, and we do not set aside special reserved sections for Temple members for any religious activity. We rely upon voluntary contributions for virtually all of our Temple activities and functions. The religious school does maintain a fee schedule, but a modest one by comparison with other once-a-week congregational schools. Membership dues, which have always been voluntary, are arranged on a suggested sliding scale; our treasurer, an elected temple officer, is the only member who maintains and has access to our financial records. We have no dedicatory plaques. There are a limited number of special funds established in memory or honor of members or their families, most of which make possible particular charitable or religious activities, all approved by the officers and Board members.

Because of the relatively small size of our congregation, our rabbis have all served, technically, in part-time positions — although “part-time” has always had a mysterious habit of expansion! Over the years, the temple has looked to seven rabbis for spiritual leadership. In chronological order, they are Alvin Reines, Sefton Temkin, Dov Taylor, Daniel Breslauer, Everett Gendler, Neil Kominsky, and now Dawn Rose. These rabbis have represented a spectrum of traditional, progressive, and eclectic perspectives and styles.

Rabbi Dawn Rose joined Temple Emanuel in 2008, continuing our tradition of choosing our leadership wisely. She brings great energy and creativity into the sanctuary and classroom, and we look forward to the future under her guidance and wisdom.