About Us

A member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Temple Beth-El is a welcoming, progressive, egalitarian synagogue that strives to preserve and enhance our Jewish heritage.  We provide a wide range of religious, educational, social, and cultural activities to encourage exploration of and involvement in Judaism, and support participation in the social action initiatives and interdenominational life of the broader community.

Founded in 1924, Temple Beth-El is an established center of Jewish life located in historic downtown Ithaca (population 31,000), minutes from Cornell University and Ithaca College.  It serves an engaged, active, and remarkably diverse congregation from in and around Tompkins County (population 105,000) at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region of central New York.

• Temple Beth-El is a congregation of caring Jews who wish to identify ourselves with the Jewish people and its future, through our synagogue.
• Services are held (virtually) on Friday evenings and on the eve of most holidays at 8 PM and on Shabbat and Festival mornings at 10 AM.  Changes in our worship schedule for Shabbat and special times for High Holidays are announced in advance.
• We are located at the corner of Court and Tioga Streets in downtown Ithaca.  While a substantial portion of our membership lives in Ithaca, we consider ourselves to be a Central-Southern Tier Congregation with members from surrounding towns and counties.
• Our Temple is available virtually every day for meaningful activity.  We have ongoing services, classes, meetings, social events, and special activities.
• Our Temple has provided leadership in many areas where Jews need help and support.  Our membership supports numerous worthy causes, to benefit both ourselves and the community at large.

We hope that you will want to find out about us and join in our effort to build a future in our community.