Temple Beth-El Plans to Sell Building as Great Neck Reform Jewish Community Shrinks

Temple Beth-El, Great Neck’s first synagogue and a nearly century-old landmark for the Reform Jewish community, plans to sell its building and downsize as its congregation has dwindled from a peak of 1,500 families to around 400 congregants today.

The temple, founded in 1928, originally served what Executive Director Stuart Botwinick described as “the sticks” rather than suburbs. “It wasn’t even clear whether there would be enough people here to have a Jewish community when they started in 1928,” Botwinick said.

The gamble paid off spectacularly for decades. The congregation eventually grew to serve 1,500 families with 500 families on its waiting list, according to Botwinick. The temple attracted notable members including comedian Andy Kaufman, Mets owner Steve Cohen, and businessman Sidney Jacobson.

Temple Beth-El’s influence extended beyond its own walls. In 1940, Temple Israel branched off to serve as a conservative synagogue, and in 1953 Temple Emmanuel broke away to serve the growing Reform community that could not be accommodated by one temple alone, according to the temple’s history.

The synagogue positioned itself at the forefront of progressive social movements throughout its history. In 1967, during the Civil Rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Temple Beth-El’s bema. Nine years later, the synagogue ordained Barbara Ostfeld as the first female cantor in Jewish history.

“My faith is very much bound up with pluralism,” Senior Rabbi Brian Stoller said. “We have something to learn from everybody.”

Today, demographic shifts have forced the temple to confront a different reality. Botwinick said younger Reform families are no longer moving to the peninsula, while existing congregants are aging. Meanwhile, more Orthodox Jews have moved into the Great Neck area.

When Stoller joined as senior rabbi three years ago, he said he knew Temple Beth-El faced demographic headwinds. Under his leadership, the temple announced plans to sell the building and lease back a smaller portion for the congregation.

The downsizing reflects broader changes in the community. The temple currently rents space to an Orthodox yeshiva after closing its own Early Childhood Education Center. “That’s reflective of how Great Neck has changed,” Stoller said.

Botwinick noted the shift in priorities from the temple’s heyday. “Historically, it was about how big can you build your building? How nice can you make your building?” he said. Now, “a building that was built for 1,500 families is no longer of need.”

Despite the challenges, Temple Beth-El maintains its commitment to community service and social action. The synagogue operates the Great Neck Interfaith Food Pantry at St. Aloysius Church, serving families in need on the peninsula. The temple also provides food for Great Neck Public Schools students during summer sessions when breakfast programs are unavailable.

The congregation continues offering adult Jewish learning classes to support its aging membership. “It’s through learning that I gain a wider view of the world,” Stoller said. “The most powerful way in which I connect spiritually is through deep study and encounter with ideas.”

Botwinick emphasized that the temple’s universalist approach to Judaism remains unchanged. “This is how we live our Jewish values,” he said. “We don’t just pray about doing good. We don’t just talk about it, but we actually get our hands dirty.”

The downsizing represents a pragmatic response to changing demographics while preserving the temple’s mission and community presence in Great Neck.