Temple Beth El
Temple Beth El is a 110-year-old Conservative synagogue in Springfield, MA serving the Greater Springfield Jewish community with worship, lifecycle events, religious education, pastoral care, and cemetery services. It operates as an independent nonprofit affiliated with USCJ.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1913
- HeadquartersSpringfield, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Temple Beth El does
Temple Beth El is a Conservative Jewish synagogue founded in 1913 as the first of its denomination in Western Massachusetts, operating from a Percival Goodman-designed landmark campus at 979 Dickinson Street in Springfield, MA. The congregation provides a full continuum of Jewish religious services — daily minyan, egalitarian Shabbat worship, holiday observances, lifecycle officiation (bris, baby naming, B'nai Mitzvah, weddings, conversion, funeral/burial), pastoral care, and cemetery services through its adjacent Temple Beth El Cemetery established in 1915. Educational offerings include the B'Yachad joint Hebrew School with Sinai Temple (launched 2022), Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, Tot Shabbat programming, and the award-winning Katz Family Library.
The congregation generates revenue through annual membership dues, voluntary donations, facility rentals (social hall, sanctuary, commercial kitchen), Kiddush catering partnerships with Yosi Kosher Catering, cemetery plot sales, and periodic capital campaigns — notably the $3M+ Centennial Capital Campaign (2012) and the $2M BE the Future Campaign (2015-2019). Operations are supported by standard synagogue software (ShulCloud for member management and donations, ShulStreaming for livestream, Zoom for virtual services). Staffing is lean, with roughly 10 employees including Rabbi Amy Wallk (the first female rabbi in greater Springfield, since 2008), Cantor Elise Barber, Reverend David Aminia, and an executive director.
Temple Beth El operates as an independent nonprofit affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Jewish Theological Seminary. The congregation merged with Congregation B'nai Jacob in 2008-2009 and serves the Greater Springfield Jewish community through in-person, livestream, and Zoom channels. Membership peaked at 900+ families in 1988, has since declined due to regional demographic shifts, and is currently showing modest growth, with the 35th new family joining in the most recent tracked year.
Temple Beth El firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Temple Beth El
- Legal name
- Temple Beth El
- Website
- https://tbespringfield.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1913
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Temple Beth El is a 110-year-old Conservative synagogue in Springfield, MA serving the Greater Springfield Jewish community with worship, lifecycle events, religious education, pastoral care, and cemetery services. It operates as an independent nonprofit affiliated with USCJ.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Temple Beth El industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Religious Congregational Services (Synagogue)
- NAICS
- Religious Organizations (81311)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)
Keywords
Where Temple Beth El is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Springfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Temple Beth El business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership dues paid by families. Financial assistance is available to ensure no one is excluded due to inability to pay.
- Donations and Tzedakah: Voluntary donations supporting current operations and endowment income for future stability. The Centennial Capital Campaign raised over $3 million.
- Facility Room Rental: Rental of social hall, stage, sanctuary for concerts, and commercial kitchen for weddings, B'nai Mitzvah, baby namings,bris, and meals of condolence. Pricing varies by event type and guest count.
- Kiddush Catering: Kiddush lunch catering provided by Yosi Kosher Catering after Shabbat morning services. Cost to host a Kiddush lunch for up to 15 guests is $360.
- Cemetery Services: Cemetery established in 1915, run by a volunteer committee. Plots can be purchased ahead of time; burial-related items are due at time of burial.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kiddush Lunch Host (up to 15 guests) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Facility Rental — Weddings |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Facility Rental — B'nai Mitzvah |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Facility Rental — Baby Naming/Bris/Meals of Condolence |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cemetery Plots |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Temple Beth El product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Temple Beth El is a Conservative synagogue that provides in-person and virtual worship services (Shabbat, daily minyan, holidays), lifecycle event officiation (Brit Milah, B'nai Mitzvah, weddings, conversions, funerals), religious education through B'Yachad (joint Hebrew school with Sinai Temple) and the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, plus cemetery services, facility rentals, and community programming such as Tot Shabbat, youth groups, and a monthly homeless feeding initiative.
Product overview
Temple Beth El is a Conservative synagogue offering religious, educational, and community services. The core offering consists of traditional egalitarian worship services (Shabbat, daily minyan, High Holy Days) with livestream capability. Educational programs include B'yachad (joint religious school with Sinai Temple), Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, and the Katz Family Library. Lifecycle services cover Brit Milah, B'nai Mitzvah, weddings, conversion, pastoral care, and cemetery services. Additional programs include Tot Shabbat for young families, youth groups, community service initiatives, and facility rentals for events. The synagogue also provides Kiddush lunch catering after Shabbat services and publishes the Tekiah newsletter.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Worship Services Traditional egalitarian Shabbat services including Friday Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:00 pm, Shabbat morning services at 10:00 am, and afternoon/evening services, offered in-person with livestream capability.
- Daily Minyan Services Daily morning (around 7–8 am) and evening (5:45 pm) minyanim offered year-round, conducted via Zoom on most weekdays; services require a quorum of 10.
- Livestream Services Live streaming of Shabbat and holiday services via the ShulStreaming platform, enabling remote participation in worship services alongside downloadable siddurim.
- B'Yachad Religious School A pluralistic Jewish education program serving families from both Sinai Temple and Temple Beth El, with classes alternating between the two synagogues; emphasizes learning, community, creativity, and connection.
- Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning Worldwide adult Jewish learning program covering Jewish ethics, Bible study, Jewish history, and Israeli culture, offered through Rabbi Wallk.
- Lifecycle Event Services Officiation for Brit Milah (bris), Simchat Bat (baby naming), B'nai Mitzvah preparation, weddings, conversion to Judaism, pastoral care, and death/mourning rituals including funeral coordination and shiva support.
- Cemetery Services Cemetery plots at 350 Kings Highway, West Springfield, MA, run by a volunteer committee; plots can be purchased ahead of time and burial-related items are due at time of burial.
- Kiddush Lunch Sponsorship Light dairy lunch served after Shabbat morning services and provided by Yosi Kosher Catering; sponsorships are available for birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, B'nai Mitzvah anniversaries, or yahrzeits, with pricing at $360 for up to 15 guests including service and cleanup.
- Room and Facility Rental Rental of social hall, stage, sanctuary (for concerts), and commercial kitchen for weddings, B'nai Mitzvah, baby naming/bris, and meals of condolence, with pricing varying by event type and guest count.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $3 million raised through Centennial Capital Campaign to secure long-term financial future
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Temple Beth El
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Temple Beth El technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Temple Beth El partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sinai Temple (Springfield, MA)coreIn fall 2022, B'Yachad, a joint Hebrew School was established with Sinai Temple, with classes meeting at Sinai Temple for half the year and at Temple Beth El for the other half. The two congregations also collaborate with several joint Shabbat services each year. Both congregations previously discussed a potential merger with other area synagogues.
- Yosi Kosher CateringminorYosi Kosher Catering provides all food served at Kiddush lunches after Shabbat morning services. Hosts select from Yosi's a la carte menu or Kiddush lunch package. The temple's commercial kitchen can be customized for culinary needs.
- Jewish Federation of Western MassachusettscoreThe Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts co-sponsored the 'Try a Synagogue' program and Israel 75 Live celebration. The Federation supports TBE through community-wide programming and philanthropy.
- Harold Grinspoon FoundationcoreCo-sponsor of the 'Try a Synagogue' program and various community programs. The Harold Grinspoon Foundation awards include recognition for TBE staff, such as the Teacher of Excellence Award for Caryn Resnick.
- South Congregational Church (Springfield, MA)minorTBE members volunteer monthly to serve dinner to homeless and hungry individuals at South Congregational Church. This interfaith social action initiative has been ongoing for approximately 15 years, serving 55–65 people per event.
- Boy Scouts of America (Troop 31/Troop 295)minorTBE has been the sponsor for Boy Scouts Troop 31 (and Troop 295) since 1924. Scouts participate in community service including cemetery maintenance and flag placement for Veterans Day.
- Jewish Theological SeminaryminorTBE is affiliated with the Conservative Movement. Cantor Morton Shames was ordained in the first class of the Cantors Institute at JTS in 1955. The synagogue's spiritual and educational programming is grounded in Conservative Jewish tradition.
- United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ)minorTBE is affiliated with USCJ as a Conservative congregation. The logo appears on the temple's website footer.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Temple Beth El competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- South Congregational Church (Springfield, MA): An interfaith community partner with which Temple Beth El has co-hosted the monthly homeless feeding program for approximately 15 years; a peer house of worship engaged in similar worship, lifecycle, and social-action programming in Springfield.
- Congregation B'nai Torah (West Springfield, MA): B'nai Torah is referenced alongside Temple Beth El and Sinai Temple as a feeder congregation for the regional Na'arut youth group, making it a direct peer serving the same demographic of Conservative/Reform Jewish families in Western Massachusetts.
- Sinai Temple (Springfield, MA): Sinai Temple is the closest peer: a fellow Conservative synagogue in Springfield, MA that partners with Temple Beth El to run the joint B'Yachad Hebrew School and participates in joint Shabbat services. Both serve the same regional Conservative Jewish population.
Others
- United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ): The denominational movement body of which TBE is an affiliated member congregation, providing resources, rabbinic support, and movement-wide programming to Conservative synagogues like Temple Beth El.
- Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS): The Conservative movement's flagship rabbinical and cantorial seminary whose graduates (including Cantor Morton Shames, class of 1955) have historically served Temple Beth El. It supplies the rabbinic and educational talent pipeline for Conservative congregations like TBE.
- Harold Grinspoon Foundation: A core institutional partner that co-sponsors the Try a Synagogue and Create a Jewish Legacy programs with Temple Beth El and recognizes TBE staff through awards such as Teacher of Excellence. It operates as a Jewish-community capacity-building foundation for synagogues including TBE.
- Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts: The regional Jewish community umbrella that co-sponsors Try a Synagogue with TBE, supports community-wide philanthropy, and previously employed TBE's Communications Coordinator. It is the principal convening and fundraising body for the same regional constituency TBE serves.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Temple Beth El social profiles
Digital presenceTemple Beth El financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Temple Beth El leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Temple Beth El subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Temple Beth El funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Temple Beth El M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Temple Beth El
What does Temple Beth El do?
Temple Beth El is a Conservative synagogue that provides in-person and virtual worship services (Shabbat, daily minyan, holidays), lifecycle event officiation (Brit Milah, B'nai Mitzvah, weddings, conversions, funerals), religious education through B'Yachad (joint Hebrew school with Sinai Temple) and the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, plus cemetery services, facility rentals, and community programming such as Tot Shabbat, youth groups, and a monthly homeless feeding initiative.
Is Temple Beth El a public or private company?
Temple Beth El is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Temple Beth El founded?
Temple Beth El was founded in 1913. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Temple Beth El based?
Temple Beth El is headquartered in Springfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does Temple Beth El make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are donations and Tzedakah, facility Room Rental, kiddush Catering and cemetery Services.
Who are Temple Beth El's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are South Congregational Church (Springfield, MA), Congregation B'nai Torah (West Springfield, MA) and Sinai Temple (Springfield, MA). Others are United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), Harold Grinspoon Foundation and Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts.
Does Temple Beth El have an API?
No public API is recorded for Temple Beth El.
What industry is Temple Beth El in?
Temple Beth El's product category is Religious Congregational Services (Synagogue). Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAJAA, Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues), with a secondary code of BPAGAJAL, Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites). Its NAICS code is 81311.