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Temple Emeth
South and Grove St.
Chestnut Hill, MA
02467

(617) 469-9400

Schools: 469-9459

A Brief History of Temple Emeth

For High Holiday services in September 1942, Rabbi Rubin officiated but we were in need of a cantor. Simon Kandler, who was in the service, stationed at Camp Edwards, received permission from his commander to conduct our first High Holiday services. He continued to serve us as our Cantor until his passing in 2001.

In late fall 1946, Rabbi Zev K. Nelson became our rabbi. This revered and distinguished scholar enriched our temple until his retirement some thirty plus years later, and his passing October, 1997. His influence is still with us.

During the late forties and fifties, the community rapidly grew and our membership increased. Three adjacent properties were purchased in 1950 and plans were begun for a new school building and auditorium.

A "Beth Olam" (eternal home), known as Temple Emeth Memorial Park, was established on April 2, 1957. The new Religious School was dedicated on April 29, 1962. The final addition to our magnificent structure was the dedication of the Krasner-Housman Auditorium on May 15, 1963.

The sixties and seventies saw the continued growth of our temple community and its religious school. In 1976, Rabbi Nelson initiated Education Chairs to provide scholarship funds toward tuition in our religious school.

In August of 1977, Rabbi Alan Turetz became Temple Emeth's spiritual leader. Blessed with learning, eloquence, and a beautiful voice, this distinguished scholar has enriched the entire congregation.

Gennady Konnikov, our talented musical director, provides accompaniment for our services and leads an accomplished chorus, Shirai Emeth. Susan Adler our Nursery School Director, Dorit Perry our Religious School Director, and Cynthia Levitt our Executive Director comprise our competent administrative staff.

As a congregation we have honored and memorialized our past with a permanent display of a Holocaust Torah donated by Eva and Carl Schlesinger in 1980.

In 1997, a unique Memorial to the Martyred Six Million was erected on the temple grounds. This monument, engraved with a map of Europe, lists the hometowns of family members of our community who perished in the Holocaust.

 Cantor Elias Rosemberg served our congregation from 2001-2007. With his wonderful talents and voice, he added a fresh dimension to the service and enhanced the musical programs of the temple.

While revering the past, we have planned for our future with a major renovation program in the last few years. Our temple is now completely handicapped-accessible. A beautiful new entrance welcomes children into our school where a newly decorated and furnished library invites them to Jewish learning.

From 2003-2005, the Ait Livnot Committee, co-chaired by Harriet and Warren Kantrowitz, conducted refurbishment of our Sanctuary. The results have enhanced our environment and our services.

For the 2007-2008 year, we have a new suite of professionals fullfilling the various ritual needs of our communities, led by Rabbi Turetz, supported by Director of Congregational Learning Golan Ben-Chorin, Cantorial Soloist David Shrebnick, Cantorial Educator Michael McClosky, and Ritual Associate Michelle Mason.

How to Contact the Temple

To contact the office:

• The main (office) telephone number is:  617-469-9400.
• You can send email to: 
• The office fax number is:  617-469-9646

To contact the schools:

• The schools' telephone is:  617-469-9459.
• The Nursery School email address is: 
• The Religious School email address is: 

Membership Application

Driving Directions

From the west and the New York area,

• From the Mass Pike (I-90) east, exit at the Weston toll gates, and follow the signs to I-95 south (also known as Route 128 south).
• On I-95 south, travel three miles to I-95 exit 20A (Route 9 east).
• After about 2 miles on Route 9 east, you will pass the Chestnut Hill Mall on the left, and the Atrium Mall on your right. Bear to the right down the ramp, .2 miles after you pass the Atrium Mall, and bear right onto Hammond Pond Parkway going south.
• About a mile down the Hammond Pond Parkway you will enter a traffic circle (rotary).
• Go two-thirds way around the rotary, skipping two turn-offs (the first Newton St. and the Lagrange St. exits) before you exit the rotary onto (the second) Newton Street.
• About .3 miles down the road you will bear right at a fork onto West Roxbury Parkway.
• Continue thru a traffic light (South St.) and go another .3 miles to the next rotary.
• Temple Emeth is on the far side of the next rotary, called Putterham Circle.

Temple Emeth has on-street parking.

The handicap entrance and elevator is located on Puddingstone Road which is reached by following West Roxbury Parkway past the rotary and taking the first right, the school entrance of the Temple.