Growing & Fostering Our Jewish World

Seats 2

Temple Israel is a Reform Temple that promotes the enduring and fundamental principles of Judaism. Through prayer, study and friendship we strive to enrich our lives and insure Jewish continuity in Highlands County.

Temple Israel is a caring center of Jewish activity in the Florida Heartland. We reflect a concern for individuals, as well as the community at large, while promoting an acceptance and adherence to our traditions.

Our beautiful Sanctuary and our Cantor provide warm and meaningful Shabbats, Torah Studies, Festivals, and High Holy Days, as well as all Life Cycle ceremonies. We offer educational activities for children as needed, as well as for adults. We also have a Women’s Lunch Bunch, which meets every month.

Everyone is encouraged to participate with us in our beloved Jewish heritage.

Cantor Riselle Bain on WNMF – SUNDAY SIMCHA – 25 November 2019

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

Communities of Belonging Don’t Just Happen…URJ Camps are Putting in the Work

Communities of Belonging Don’t Just Happen…URJ Camps are Putting in the Work jemerman May 3, 2024

Summer Youth Experiences

Photo of four diverse people at 6 Points, holding up a frame with all four of their faces inside the frame

While camp is an oasis away from everyday life, it still exists in a world that has much work to do around harm prevention, particularly for Campers of Color, gender-diverse campers, campers with a variety of body sizes, and campers with disabilities.

Continuing Trauma, Ambiguous Commemoration, and Decisive Change: Israel’s National Days in 2024

Continuing Trauma, Ambiguous Commemoration, and Decisive Change: Israel’s National Days in 2024 jemerman April 25, 2024

Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

Photo of four people's silhouettes holding hands up in the air; with the sun setting in front of them

When Yom HaZikaron arrives on the eve of May 11th - 219 days since the horrific events of October 7th - we expect to still be stuck in the limbo of this ongoing nightmare.

“We Were the Lucky Ones:” Bringing The Holocaust Out of History Books and Into Our Homes

“We Were the Lucky Ones:” Bringing The Holocaust Out of History Books and Into Our Homes jemerman April 25, 2024

Film

Photo from the Hulu series "We Were the Lucky Ones," starring Joey King and Logan Lerman

Since 1945, there have been over 440 Holocaust-related films and miniseries, and that's not counting documentaries. Hulu offers the latest, a new limited series, "We Were the Lucky Ones."

Harnessing the Power of our Mothers Around the Seder Table

Harnessing the Power of our Mothers Around the Seder Table jemerman April 17, 2024

Passover

Photo of a group of people standing in a circle

We have so much to learn from our mothers, past and present. Soon, we'll return to the story of Passover and to the narratives of three remarkable mothers whose determination, fearlessness, and love changed the course of biblical history.