What Temple Solel does

Temple Solel is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) Reform Jewish synagogue founded on July 30, 1978, in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, San Diego, California, serving approximately 500-600 member households. Core products span the full lifecycle: the Early Childhood Center (infants through Kindergarten, including a newly added Infant Center for ages 2-17 months), Mercaz Solel religious school (K-12 across Kibbutz Katan, Midrasha, and Netiv divisions), Camp Simcha and Camp Solel summer programs (grades K-10 plus Counselor-in-Training), Adult Education (Talmud study, Hebrew classes, adult B'nei Mitzvah), Club 7 B'nei Mitzvah preparation, Shabbat and holiday prayer experiences led by Senior Rabbi Berk and Cantor Tiep, the Alpert Mendelson Library (the largest Judaic library in Northern San Diego County with ~10,000 volumes and recurring Association of Jewish Libraries Advanced Accreditation), event/space rentals, and the 'Dilemmas: A Quest for the Questions' podcast. Revenue is generated primarily through tiered annual membership dues ($605 for active-duty military to $3,750 for two-adult households ages 36-64, plus an optional $400 building fee for certain tiers), program tuition and camp fees, facility rentals, above-and-beyond giving via the Circle of Honor program ($4,250-$36,000+ annually), general donations and the Garden of Giving/Tree of Life pavers, estate gifts through the Legacy Circle, and endowment support from the separately incorporated Temple Solel Foundation. Technology stack consists of the ShulCloud SaaS platform for membership management, online registration, and donation processing; audio distribution of Torah, Haftarah, and prayer portions; the multi-season podcast; and an August 2020-installed 336-panel, 390-watt rooftop solar array. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth referrals, advocacy by existing members, and the educational-program pipeline (ECC, religious school, camp) as natural conversion funnels into full membership. The organization employs 51 staff and is governed by a Board of Directors under CEO Dawn G.

Name

Temple Solel

Legal name

Temple Solel

Website

https://templesolel.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Temple Solel is a nonprofit Reform Jewish synagogue in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, San Diego, serving approximately 500-600 member households with cradle-to-adult programming including an early childhood center, K-12 religious school, summer camp, adult education, lifecycle services, and a 10,000-volume Judaic library.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Organization & Synagogue Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Philanthropic & Charitable Trust Services (FSAAANAI)

Keywords

• Reform synagogue services
• Religious education programs
• Early childhood education
• Jewish summer camp
• Community worship services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cardiff by the Sea

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues ranging from $605 (Active Duty Military) to $3,750 (Two Adult Household Ages 36-64). Includes building fee of $400 for first ten years for certain tiers. Provides access to Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, educational programs, pastoral support, and discounted rates for youth programs.
2. Religious School (Mercaz Solel): K-12 Jewish education program with discounted rates for members. Programs include Kibbutz Katan (K-2), Midrasha (3-6), and Netiv (7-12). Financial assistance available for families with demonstrable need.
3. Early Childhood Center: Infant center (2-17 months), toddler classes (18-30 months), older 2's-3 year old class, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten programs. Enrollment options vary from 3-day to 5-day schedules, full-time and part-time.
4. Camp Simcha: Summer camp program for grades K-10 with four sessions (June 15-August 7, 2026). Rates from $500-$1,350 per session depending on grade level and membership status. Includes Giborim, Chalutzim, Manhigim, and Counselor-in-Training programs.
5. Facility Rentals: Event and space rental services for weddings, social, and business events. Venue options include indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception areas. Catering and audiovisual services available. Discounted rates for members.
6. Donations and Tzedakah: Voluntary donations accepted for general fund or specific programs. Circle of Honor above-and-beyond giving program with tiers from $4,250 to $36,000+. Garden of Giving pavers, Yahrzeit plaques, and Tree of Life leaves available for purchase.
7. Planned Giving (Legacy Circle): Legacy Circle program for estate planning contributions to ensure long-term financial stability. Contact Dawn G., CEO, for information.
8. Temple Solel Foundation: Separate supporting nonprofit organization dedicated to long-term stewardship and support of the temple community through generative savings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Temple Solel is a Reform Jewish synagogue and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1978 in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California. It delivers religious services, formal and informal Jewish education for all ages, early childhood programming, summer camps, social action initiatives, and cultural/community programming to member households. Revenue is generated primarily through membership dues, program fees, tuition, donations, and facility rentals.

Product overview

Temple Solel offers a comprehensive suite of Jewish community programs and services spanning all ages and life stages. The core offerings include: the Early Childhood Center (ECC) for children from 2 months through Kindergarten using a play-based/constructivist approach; Mercaz Solel for Religious and Hebrew School education (K-12); Camp Simcha and Camp Solel for summer programming (grades K-10); and Adult Education programs including B'nei Mitzvah preparation. The temple also provides spiritual services through Shabbat and holiday experiences, a podcast series, and maintains a Torah/Prayer audio library. Support programs include membership with Circle of Honor giving levels, Legacy Circle planned giving, and the Temple Solel Foundation. Additional offerings include facility/event rentals and the Alpert Mendelson Library. The organization serves approximately 500-600 member households and operates a solar energy program. Temple Solel is located in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, San Diego, CA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Camp Simcha: Summer day camp program for children and teens in grades K-10, featuring activities including swimming, sports, arts, music, field trips, and leadership development within a Jewish community setting.
• Early Childhood Center (ECC)
• Mercaz Solel
• Camp Solel
• Temple Solel

Products and services

• Membership Program
• Early Childhood Center (ECC)
• Mercaz Solel Religious School
• Camp Simcha
• Camp Solel
• Adult Education
• Club 7 Youth B'nei Mitzvah Program
• Facility & Event Space Rentals
• Solel Podcast & Media Library
• Legacy Circle & Planned Giving
• Shabbat & Holiday Worship Services Reform Jewish Shabbat, High Holy Days, and festival worship services led by clergy, available to members and (for High Holy Days) ticketed non-members.
• Hebrew & Adult B'nei Mitzvah Classes Adult Hebrew literacy and adult b'nei mitzvah preparation courses offered through the Growing Reform Judaism program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 500-600 member households with comprehensive Jewish programming
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Temple Solel FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA separate supporting nonprofit organization dedicated to long-term stewardship and support of the sacred temple community. This generative savings wellspring ensures protection, nurturing, and sustainability of Temple Solel for future generations. For information, contact [email protected].
• ADL (Anti-Defamation League) - Kulanu ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTemple Solel is part of Kulanu: Synagogues in Action Against Antisemitism, a program sponsored by the ADL comprising 113 congregations across the US. Kulanu means 'all of us' in Hebrew and is dedicated to empowering congregations to address antisemitism and hate through education, community engagement, and advocacy.
• Oceanside Surf SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Fall Surf & Spirituality program, combining surfing instruction with spiritual connection to nature and Jewish wisdom. Experienced surfers provide lessons for beginners in a safe, joyful environment at South of the Oceanside Pier.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Congregation Beth Israel: Reform Jewish synagogue also serving the San Diego Jewish community with comparable programming, lifecycle events, and religious education. Most directly comparable peer given shared movement affiliation and overlapping service area.
• URJ Camp Newman: Union for Reform Judaism's residential summer camp in Santa Rosa serving Reform Jewish youth from across the West Coast. Directly comparable to Camp Simcha's youth programming mission and denominational alignment.
• Temple Israel: Reform Jewish congregation offering cradle-to-grave programming including ECC, religious school, adult education, and lifecycle services. Comparable peer given similar full-service congregational model within the Reform movement.
• Temple Emanu-El: Reform Jewish congregation in San Diego offering similar Shabbat services, religious school, and lifecycle programming. Direct peer given shared denomination and North County Coastal community overlap.
• Temple Adat Shalom: Reform Jewish synagogue in the San Diego region offering religious education, family programming, and lifecycle services. Comparable peer given shared denomination and San Diego County service area.
• Beth El Synagogue: Large Jewish congregation in La Jolla serving the broader San Diego Jewish community with religious education, ECC, and adult programming. Comparable peer given similar congregational scale and overlapping service geography.

Others

• Jewish Federation of San Diego County: Regional umbrella Jewish community organization serving San Diego County, coordinating philanthropy and community programming. Comparable as an ecosystem player rather than direct competitor, but relevant as a partner/referral source.
• Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR): Reform movement seminary and graduate institution that trains rabbis, cantors, and educators serving congregations like Temple Solel. Adjacent ecosystem player supplying clergy leadership and educational standards across the Reform movement.

Broad incumbents

• JCC San Diego: Jewish Community Center serving San Diego with broad programming including preschool, camp, fitness, and cultural events. Comparable given overlapping offerings (early childhood education, summer camp, community programming) under a Jewish communal umbrella.

Emerging players

• Lawrence Family JCC (JCC of the Greater East Bay area, comparable model): Jewish Community Center operating preschool, camp, and cultural programming in a defined regional market. Comparable operating model to Temple Solel's ECC/Camp programming bundled with community/religious services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/templesolelcardiffbythesea
• Instagraminstagram.com/templesolelsd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/temple-solel

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Solel