Temple Emmanuel

From WakWiki

The first Jewish families to live in Wakefield had their first formal religious service in 1905 in a vacant home. Organized Hebrew School was started in 1910 under the teaching of Mrs. Morris Slotnick, who had twelve children enrolled in her class. A few years later in 1915, the Jewish community was given permission by the Temple Mishkan Tefila of Boston to use a chapel in Wakefield for worship on High Holy Days. As the community grew even larger, though, they sought out a permanent place of worship in the town in 1945. In 1946, Temple Emmanuel was formed when twenty-two families joined to become charter members. They were officially recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1946 and were able to move their Religious School classes and monthly meetings to the local YMCA. Growing membership in the temple caused the members to buy the Yeuell family estate on Chestnut Street and convert in into an appropriate place of worship for the community. Both a sisterhood and a brotherhood were formed to assist the Temple’s members as well as the Jewish community as a whole. Mrs. Rosamund Leavitt was elected President of the Temple in 1950, becoming the first women in the history of Conservative Jewish Houses of Worship to fill this position. The Temple’s first Rabbi was Dr. Myer S. Baer, who started part-time in 1954. Eventually in 1964, Wakefield Council of Churches recognized Temple Emmanuel as a member. A parish house was built on Park Avenue as part of the Temple property to house the Rabbi and serve future Rabbis of the Temple. The Temple’s community has grown to include members from ten surrounding communities, a Religious school, and an active youth group. The Temple also holds a number of celebrations for Jewish holidays throughout the year as well as several Friday Night Shabbat dinners during the year. All present and future Rabbis of the Temple participate in a number of interfaith services as a member of the Wakefield Clergymen’s group and the Rabbis welcome all non-Jewish people to services at the Temple in order educate all interested parties about the Jewish faith.