Wise, Isaac M Temple

What Wise, Isaac M Temple does

Isaac M. Wise Temple is a private, member-supported Reform Jewish congregation in Cincinnati, Ohio, founded in 1846 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, the founder of American Reform Judaism. The congregation operates across two complementary facilities: the Plum Street Temple (720 Plum Street), a National Historic Landmark constructed in 1866 in Byzantine-Moorish style, and the contemporary Wise Center (8329 Ridge Road, Amberley Village) on 30 wooded acres, which houses the Kehillah religious school, the Ralph and Julia Cohen Library (over 22,000 items), administrative offices, and program spaces. Its core offerings include weekly Shabbat services at both venues, lifecycle events (b'nai mitzvah, weddings, funerals), a Kehillah religious school with 24 classrooms, Wise Learning adult education, multi-generational engagement groups (Wise Families, YoFI, Wise Teens, Wise Gen, Brotherhood, Women of Wise), and a structured social action program anchored by a partnership with Found House IHN dating to 1991.

The congregation's technology footprint is intentionally modest and operational rather than differentiating: a Salesforce-based member portal handles registration, directory access, payments, and event signup; live streaming extends Shabbat services to remote participants; and standard email, Facebook, and Instagram channels support community engagement. There is no proprietary technology product, no app, no AI/ML capability, and no third-party platform integrations beyond standard nonprofit tooling.

Revenue is generated entirely through annual membership dues, donations, tzedakah, tribute gifts, and capital campaign contributions (such as the Plum Street Temple Historic Preservation Fund, which fully funded $1M+ in 2023-2024 restoration work). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; membership fees are quoted on a private, annual-billing basis via direct contact with the temple office. The customer base is a single horizontal segment — Reform Jewish families and individuals in the greater Cincinnati region — with go-to-market executed through community-led engagement, programming, lifecycle rituals, and volunteer opportunities rather than conventional commercial channels. Governance is by a Board of Trustees led by President Howard Kaplan, with spiritual leadership from Senior Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch (joined July 2024) and a three-rabbi supporting clergy team.

Name

Wise, Isaac M Temple

Legal name

Isaac M. Wise Temple

Website

https://wisetemple.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1846

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Isaac M. Wise Temple is a private Reform Jewish congregation in Cincinnati, Ohio, founded in 1846, providing worship, religious education, lifecycle events, and social action programs to Jewish families and individuals through two facilities: the historic Plum Street Temple and the suburban Wise Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Tzedakah: The temple receives charitable donations from members and supporters, including tzedakah (charity), tribute gifts, and capital campaign contributions for facilities like the Plum Street Temple Historic Preservation Fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Wise, Isaac M Temple is a Reform Jewish congregation founded in 1846 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, operating two campuses — the historic Plum Street Temple in downtown Cincinnati and the Wise Center in Amberley Village. It delivers weekly Shabbat and High Holy Day worship, religious and adult education, lifecycle event officiation, and community programming, supported by a member portal, live streaming, and a synagogue library.

Product overview

Wise Temple operates as a unified platform of religious, educational, and community services for its Reform Jewish congregation. The organization provides in-person worship at two facilities (Plum Street Temple and Wise Center), supplemented by digital services including live streaming and e-newsletters. Core programs include Kehillah religious school, Wise Learning adult education, and various community engagement groups. The member portal serves as the central hub for congregant interactions, while the Ralph and Julia Cohen Library and Sisterhood Gift Shop provide supplementary services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shabbat and Weekday Worship Services Regular Shabbat and weekday worship services conducted at Plum Street Temple and Wise Center for congregants and visiting worshippers, including traditional and alternative service formats.
• High Holy Days Worship Services Annual Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, including youth and family programming, offered to congregants and the broader Jewish community during the High Holy Day season.
• Kehillah Religious School Formal Jewish religious education program for children and youth, providing curriculum, Hebrew instruction, and preparation for B'nai Mitzvah, led by the Assistant Rabbi for Education.
• Wise Learning Adult Education Adult learning program offering classes, lecture series, and study groups covering Jewish texts, ethics, history, and contemporary issues for congregants and adult learners.
• Ralph and Julia Cohen Library On-site library collection and lending services providing Jewish-themed books, periodicals, and study materials to congregation members and students.
• Lifecycle Events Officiation Rabbi-officiated lifecycle ceremonies including B'nai Mitzvah, weddings, baby namings, funerals, and other rites of passage for members and their families.
• Live Streaming Worship Services Digital live-stream access to Shabbat, weekday, and High Holy Day services for members unable to attend in person at either campus.
• Sisterhood Gift Shop Retail store operated by the Sisterhood organization selling Jewish religious items, Judaica, holiday goods, and related gifts to congregants and visitors.
• Plum Street Temple Photobook Published photographic book documenting the history, architecture, and community life of the historic Plum Street Temple, sold to congregants and supporters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Founded the three central institutions of Reform Judaism
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Found House IHN (Interfaith Housing Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Wise Temple has partnered with Found House IHN since 1991 to support Cincinnati families facing housing insecurity. For one week at a time, classrooms become bedrooms and volunteers provide meals, companionship, and a welcoming space for families in transition. The temple hosts multiple week-long hosting sessions annually.
• Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1875Wise Temple continues its historic connection to HUC-JIR, hosting the annual ordination of rabbis from the Cincinnati campus. The temple was founded by Rabbi Isaac M. Wise who also founded HUC-JIR in 1875.
• Our Daily BreadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWise Temple volunteers support Our Daily Bread, Cincinnati's largest soup kitchen, by preparing takeaway meal bags. Our Daily Bread serves numerous meals five days a week and believes a meal is a basic human right.
• Yellow Ribbon Support CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWise Temple volunteers pack care packages with comforts from home and heartfelt letters for military members serving abroad, supporting the Yellow Ribbon Support Center.
• Meals on WheelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWise Temple volunteers support Meals on Wheels by assembling snack, dog, and birthday bags for delivery to homebound seniors, providing nourishment and companionship.
• GLAM (Give Like A Mother)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWise Temple volunteers sort donated clothes and prepare personalized outfit PACKs for children in Clermont and Brown Counties.
• Sweet Cheeks Diaper BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWise Temple volunteers wrap diaper bundles for the Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank, helping provide essential diapers to infants, young children, and those with disabilities.
• ShelterhouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWise Temple volunteers prepare, cook, and serve warm meals at Shelterhouse, Cincinnati's largest homeless shelter serving 210 men and women experiencing homelessness daily.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wisetemple
• Instagraminstagram.com/isaacmwisetemple
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isaac-m-wise-temple

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Wise, Isaac M Temple