Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel

What Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel does

Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (TSTI) is a 501(c)(3) Reform Jewish congregation headquartered at the historic Kip-Riker mansion property at 432 Scotland Road, South Orange, New Jersey, serving 750+ member families drawn from a catchment spanning eight northern New Jersey suburbs (South Orange, Maplewood, Short Hills, Millburn, Livingston, West Orange, Summit, and Westfield). The congregation was formed in 1982 through the merger of Congregation Sharey Tefilo of Orange (est. 1874, 10 founding merchants) and Temple Israel (est. 1948), and is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and the MetroWest Federation. TSTI operates a cradle-to-grave program stack: the Iris Family Center for Early Childhood Education (Reggio Emilia approach, ages 18 months to 5 years, including a seven-week summer camp), the Linda and Rudy Slucker Religious School (K-7), Hebrew High (grades 8-12, 120+ students), Adult Education, PrimeConnection senior programming (67+), and full lifecycle ritual services (birth, B'nai Mitzvah, weddings, death/mourning).

Revenue derives from seven streams: recurring annual membership dues with an optional $1,800 Sustaining tier; preschool and religious school tuition; tribute and Yahrzeit donations ($18 minimum, $10 for seniors 65+); Tree of Life commemorative leaves ($360); unit-priced events such as Shabbat dinners ($28-$45); cemetery plot sales (Montclair and Beth Israel Memorial Park, Woodbridge); and special-purpose/Tzedek fundraising. Technology infrastructure consists of Zoom and Vimeo for live streaming across both worship spaces (Bass Family Sanctuary, Gellis Green Chapel), and ShulCloud for member management, billing, donations, and directory — no proprietary systems or AI/ML components are evidenced.

The temple employs 51-100 staff under Senior Rabbi Alexandra Klein (installed 2026, in-place since 2015) and Executive Director Beth Blackman, supported by Cantor Rebecca Moses (ACC Executive Board VP), a credentialed programming team, and a lay leadership structure led by Board President Heather Brochin. Distribution is primarily single-campus in-person, supplemented by password-protected streaming and a dedicated Membership Manager for community-led, word-of-mouth acquisition. TSTI maintains strategic partnerships with URJ, ADL (Signature Synagogue), RAC, NCJW/Essex, AIPAC, ARZA, and the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges.

Name

Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel

Legal name

Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel

Website

https://tsti.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1874

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel is a Reform Jewish congregation in South Orange, New Jersey, serving 750+ member families across eight northern NJ suburbs with cradle-to-grave programming including preschool, K-12 religious education, adult and senior programming, lifecycle rituals, and social-justice initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services (Reform Jewish Synagogue)

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

Keywords

• Reform Jewish services
• Jewish religious education
• Early childhood education
• Adult Jewish learning
• Jewish lifecycle events

Headquarters

HQ city

South Orange

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from 750+ families. An optional Sustaining Membership tier offers an additional $1800 above regular dues to help subsidize members who cannot pay full dues.
2. Tribute and Yahrzeit Donations: Minimum $18 donation ($10 for seniors 65+) to send tribute cards for milestones, condolences, or commemorations. Multiple designated funds receive donations.
3. Tree of Life: Personalized brass leaf on Tree of Life sculpture for $360 to commemorate joyous events.
4. Religious School Tuition: Tuition for Linda and Rudy Slucker Religious School for K-12 students. One year of study is available before formal affiliation when oldest child is in K-2.
5. Preschool Tuition: Full tuition for preschool program. Families receive free temple membership while oldest child is a full tuition-paying preschool student. Summer camp available separately.
6. Special Events and Programs: Fees for Shabbat dinner events ($28 member/$36 non-member), Adult Education programs, and special programming.
7. Cemetery Plots: Sale of cemetery plots at Montclair location and Beth Israel Memorial Park in Woodbridge for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel is a Reform Jewish congregation that provides weekly Shabbat and holiday worship services, life-cycle officiation (b'nai mitzvah, weddings, funerals), a preschool (Iris Family Center for Early Childhood Education), a K-12 religious school, Hebrew High for teens, adult education, social justice (Tzedek) programming, and a community gallery. It serves 750+ member families in the South Orange, NJ area.

Product overview

Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel is a Reform Jewish congregation offering a comprehensive suite of religious, educational, and community programs. The organization operates primarily through in-person programming enhanced by digital platforms including ShulCloud for membership management and Zoom/Vimeo for virtual services. Key offerings include the Iris Family Center for Early Childhood Education (preschool and summer camp), the Linda and Rudy Slucker Religious School (K-7), Hebrew High (8th-12th grade), Adult Education, Shabbat worship services with live streaming, The Gallery at TSTI art exhibitions, and Tzedek social justice initiatives including food security programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Iris Family Center for Early Childhood Education: Award-winning early childhood education center offering warm, individualized programs for young children using the Reggio Emilia approach
• Linda and Rudy Slucker Religious School

Products and services

• Membership Annual congregational membership providing access to worship services, life-cycle services, programming, and community for households in the South Orange / North Jersey area.
• Iris Family Center for Early Childhood Education (Preschool) Early childhood education program for preschool-age children, with Jewishly-rooted curriculum, operated at the TSTI campus.
• Linda and Rudy Slucker Religious School Formal K-12 Jewish religious education program covering Hebrew, Torah, holidays, and Jewish values, typically held on Sundays and select weeknights.
• Hebrew High High-school-age Jewish learning program that follows students beyond b'nai mitzvah through continued engagement with Jewish text, ethics, and community.
• Adult Education Continuing Jewish learning offerings for adult members, including classes, study groups, and lectures on Jewish text, ethics, and contemporary issues.
• Shabbat and Holiday Worship Services Weekly Shabbat services and holiday worship led by the Senior Rabbi and Cantor, with both in-person and streaming options for members.
• Life-Cycle Officiation (b'nai mitzvah, weddings, funerals, baby namings) Clergy-led officiation and pastoral services for major Jewish life-cycle events including b'nai mitzvah, weddings, funerals, baby namings, and conversions.
• Tzedek Social Justice Program Community-based social justice and tikkun olam programming organized through the temple, engaging members in volunteer, advocacy, and education initiatives.
• Gallery at TSTI Community art gallery housed at the temple, featuring exhibits by artists and supporting cultural and arts programming for members.
• Jewish Summer Camp Referral Service Referral and advising service connecting temple families with Jewish summer camps, including overnight and day-camp options.
• Cemetery Plots and Interment Services Sale of cemetery plots and interment services for temple members and their families, typically tied to member burial traditions.
• Streaming Services Live video streaming of services and selected events for members and remote participants who cannot attend in person.
• Tribute Donations and Tree of Life Designated giving programs allowing members and families to make donations in honor or memory of loved ones, often acknowledged via a Tree of Life plaque.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250 congregants participate in annual Mitzvah Day
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSTI is part of the Union for Reform Judaism, connecting it to the broader Reform Movement. TSTI clergy and staff are active in URJ initiatives, and TSTI participates in URJ camps, youth programs (NFTY), and advocacy through the Religious Action Center (RAC).
• URJ Camp HarlamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional URJ sleepaway camp offering 4 or 8-week sessions on a 300-acre facility in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, home to approximately 550 campers each summer. TSTI clergy and staff visit to maintain connection with TSTI campers.
• 6 Points Sci-Tech AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational URJ specialty camp where campers explore robotics, video game design, science, digital media, and other activities for 2, 4, or 6 weeks at Governor's Academy Boarding School in Byfield, Massachusetts.
• 6 Points Creative Arts AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational URJ specialty camp focused on artistic expression including acting, vocal performance, fine art, digital photography, musical theater, and dance at Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
• 6 Points Sports AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational URJ specialty camp for athletes from across 33 states and 7 countries, offering professional sports coaching combined with Reform Jewish camping traditions at Asheville School in North Carolina.
• NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTISY is affiliated with NFTY's Garden Empire Region, offering regional events that help teens build ties with each other and Reform Judaism.
• MetroWest FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSTI is part of the MetroWest Federation as a synagogue in Essex County, connecting to the broader NJ Jewish community.
• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSTI partners with RAC-NJ to organize statewide efforts ensuring Reform Jewish values are included in NJ policymaking. TSTI teens participate in RAC advocacy trips to Washington, DC.
• AIPACminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSTI clergy, particularly Rabbi Cohen (Emeritus), are active with AIPAC. Rabbi Cohen served on AIPAC's National Council and co-chaired the first AIPAC Progressive Rabbinic Mission to Israel in July 2014.
• ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists of America)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSTI is connected to and supports ARZA as part of the Reform Movement's commitment to Israel.
• Anti-Defamation League (ADL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSTI works closely with ADL as a Signature Synagogue. ADL provides programming on antisemitism and hate, and TSTI sends delegations to the annual Never is Now Conference.
• National Council of Jewish Women/Essex (NCJW/Essex)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCJW/Essex is a grassroots organization aligned with TSTI's values. They work on economic and social justice through lobbying, grassroots activism, and coalition-building.
• Interfaith Food Pantry of the OrangescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration among four congregations (TSTI, Congregation Beth El, Christ Church Short Hills, and Congregation B'nai Jeshurun). A volunteer-powered supplemental food pantry helping meet essential human needs of food-insecure residents in Orange, East Orange, and West Orange, NJ with dignity and respect.
• One Happy Camper (Foundation for Jewish Camp)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides concierge-advisory services and grants for first-time campers through Federation Metrowest. TSTI recommends this resource for families seeking non-URJ day camp options.
• South Orange-Maplewood School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSTI's preschool is a proud partner of the South Orange Maplewood School District Preschool Expansion Program, accepting district-placed students.
• South Orange-Maplewood Interfaith Clergy AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSTI clergy are deeply engaged in building bridges to neighboring faith communities, often partnering on social justice programming.
• Etgar 36minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish teen educational travel organization that partners with TSTI for 11th/12th grade Civil Rights History Tour of Georgia and Alabama on alternating years.
• Yallah! (NFTY) IsraelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeen travel program to Israel recommended by TSTI for teens seeking Israel experiences.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Union for Reform Judaism (URJ): The umbrella organization for the Reform Jewish movement in North America, of which TSTI is a constituent congregation. Operates URJ camps (e.g., Camp Harlam, 550+ campers), NFTY youth programs, and the Religious Action Center, providing scale, collective resources, and movement-wide programming that individual congregations leverage.

Direct peers

• Temple Emanu-El: One of the largest Reform Jewish congregations in the world, located in New York City. Offers a comparable scope of worship, religious education, lifelong programming, and social justice initiatives, and serves as a benchmark for large Reform congregations with similar membership-scale ambitions.
• Central Synagogue: Major Manhattan Reform congregation with comprehensive programming from early childhood through seniors. Rabbi Klein previously served as a pastoral counselor at Central Synagogue, indicating direct professional familiarity with its operating model.
• Congregation B'nai Jeshurun: Reform congregation in Short Hills, NJ, and a joint partner with TSTI in the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges. Operates in the same geographic market with comparable programming and similar membership demographics.
• Temple Beth Or: Reform congregation in Washington Township, NJ, with comprehensive programming and a similar New Jersey footprint. TSTI's current Executive Director Beth Blackman previously served as administrator and temple president at Temple Beth Or, indicating direct operational lineage.
• Beth Sholom Temple: Reform temple in Fredericksburg, VA, where Rabbi Klein served as a Student Rabbi. A mid-sized Reform congregation with comparable religious-school and worship programming, sharing rabbinical education lineage with TSTI.
• Stephen Wise Temple: Large Reform Jewish congregation in Los Angeles with an award-winning religious school, early childhood programs, and full lifecycle programming. Comparable in scale to TSTI, with multi-generational programs and large membership base.
• Congregation Beth Elohim: One of the oldest and largest Reform congregations in Brooklyn, with full lifecycle programming, religious school, and strong community-outreach programs. Comparable to TSTI in programming breadth and Reform theological orientation.
• Congregation Rodeph Shalom: Major Philadelphia Reform congregation with comparable programming in religious education, worship, and social justice. TSTI's current Membership Manager Alicia Karlberg previously served as Membership Director at Rodeph Shalom, demonstrating shared operational practices.

Others

• ADL (Anti-Defamation League): National Jewish civil-rights organization with which TSTI partners as a Signature Synagogue. While not a direct congregation-equivalent peer, ADL is a thematically aligned organization working on antisemitism, hate, and inclusive Jewish engagement - a key adjacency for TSTI's social justice and Tikkun Olam work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tstinj
• Facebookfacebook.com/TSTINJ
• Instagraminstagram.com/tstinj
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/temple-sharey-tefilo-israel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel