Temple Emanu-El of Englewood was founded in 1927 as a Conservative Jewish congregation at a moment when Englewood’s Jewish population was expanding and seeking a religious institution that balanced tradition with modern communal life. The idea for the Temple was initiated by Isaac Goldberg, who helped organize a small group of families committed to establishing a non-Orthodox synagogue rooted in worship, education, and civic engagement.

The congregation’s earliest services were held in private homes, most notably at the East Palisade Terrace residence of Ferdinand Vorsanger, who became the Temple’s first president and one of its most enduring lay leaders. Under his guidance, the fledgling institution formalized its structure, adopted the name Temple Emanu-El, and incorporated with a charter group that included Louis Abesson, Julius Bernstein, Joseph Cohen, Nathan DeScherer, William Greenberg, Herman Kesser, Meyer Schneider, and Vorsanger himself as founding fathers.

As the congregation grew, it moved through a series of temporary quarters that reflected both necessity and ambition. Services were first held in rented space in the Plaza Building on Van Brunt Street, then in the Busch Building on West Palisade Avenue. By 1929, the Temple was using the Plaza Theater for worship, signaling both increased attendance and the congregation’s visible presence in Englewood’s public life.

Rabbinic leadership during the Temple’s early decades helped shape its religious identity. Rabbi Max Maccoby served as the first spiritual leader, followed by Rabbi Benjamin Schultz (1928–1930), during whose tenure a Sisterhood was organized, a Sunday School was established, and a cemetery was purchased at Rochelle Park. Rabbi Zvi Anderson served from 1930 to 1934, succeeded by Rabbi Ephraim Fischoff, under whom fundraising efforts intensified to secure a permanent home.

A major turning point came in June 1935, when the Temple purchased property at 173 Tenafly Road, establishing its first long-term headquarters. Shortly thereafter, Henry Mandle donated adjacent property at 153 Tenafly Road, enabling future expansion. During this period, Ferdinand Vorsanger returned to the presidency, followed by Dr. Louis E. Greenwald, as the Temple embarked on a phase of sustained institutional growth.

By the late 1930s and 1940s, Temple Emanu-El had evolved into a major center of Jewish religious and cultural life in Bergen County. Under the leadership of Rabbi Israel Margolies, who arrived in 1937, the Temple broadened its educational programming, expanded cultural activities, and strengthened its High Holy Day observances. By its twenty-second year, the congregation was recognized as a well-established worship center with a strong lay leadership structure, active Brotherhood and Sisterhood organizations, and a growing religious school.

The Temple’s national profile expanded significantly in the postwar years under Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, who began leading the congregation in the 1950s. During his tenure, Temple Emanu-El became a member of the United Synagogue, while Hertzberg himself emerged as a leading public intellectual—serving as President of the American Jewish Congress and Vice President of the World Jewish Congress—bringing national prominence to the Englewood congregation.

Temple Emanu-El was also distinguished by its musical and educational leadership. Cantor Kurt Silbermann, a member of the congregation, served as President of the Cantors Assembly. In the 1980s, Miriam Weidenfeld directed the Temple’s Religious School, and in 1989 Cantor Israel Singer became Hazzan, continuing a strong cantorial tradition.

In the late 20th century, the Temple entered a new era under Rabbi Dr. Geoffrey Haber, who served from 1996 to 2007, followed by David Seth Kirshner. Reflecting demographic shifts within the Jewish community, Temple Emanu-El relocated in 2001 from its historic Englewood site to Closter.

From its beginnings in living rooms and rented halls to its role as a major religious and cultural institution, Temple Emanu-El’s history reflects the evolution of Englewood itself—shaped by visionary leadership, civic engagement, and a lasting commitment to Jewish communal life.

Citation:
Partly written by OpenAI. (2026, January, 20). ChatGPT (GPT-5.2.) [Large Language Model] https://chat.openai.com/chat.

“History.” Temple Emanu-El.