Our History

It all began in 1946. The Jewish population on Philadelphia’s Main Line was growing, but the number of synagogues were not. Twenty dedicated men and women decided to do something about that. Committed to establishing a new Jewish house of worship, they turned a modest six-room house in Haverford into the first Temple Adath Israel. Its religious school boasted an initial enrollment of six students!

By 1949, with membership exceeding 400 families, there were sufficient resources to purchase an estate on Montgomery Avenue and Wynnewood Road. However, it soon became apparent that even this new facility was  inadequate for the needs of the growing congregation. President George Friedland and other synagogue leaders determined that the time had come to create a permanent home for Adath Israel. In 1953, seven acres were purchased on Old Lancaster Road and Highland Avenue in Merion Station and ground was broken for the new building. Abba Eban, the Israeli Ambassador at the time, was an honored guest at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Within just a year, a new 900-seat Sanctuary and 23-classroom educational building had been completed and for the first time we were able to hold High Holiday services in a home of our own.  The final stage of the creation of our new home began in 1958, with the design and building of our sanctuary. The synagogue was completed and officially dedicated in 1959.

We Continue to Grow

Responding to new priorities and congregational growth, in 2003, Adath Israel added the Sklaroff Center and additional classroom space on the third floor. In 2006, we continued to expand as we welcomed members from Congregation Beth T’fillah. Along with enriching our congregation through their active involvement and participation in weekly services, the Beth T’fillah congregants also gave to Adath Israel the gift of 28 magnificent stained glass panels, which now enhance our sanctuary.
 

A New Rabbi, A New Beginning 

In July 2010, we welcomed Rabbi Eric Yanoff, his wife, Dava, and their son, Aiden, to our Adath Israel family.  Rabbi Yanoff brought a new level of enthusiasm, spirit and warmth to our services and programs and, since he came to Adath Israel, we have continued to see our family - and theirs! – grow. During Rabbi Yanoff's time at Adath Israel, we have also welcomed two more sons, Ezra and Avi, and a daughter, Anael, to the Yanoff clan. After Rabbi Yanoff's arrival, we soon welcomed over 100 new families into our congregation through the merge of Suburban Jewish Community Center B'nai Aaron. We are now home to nearly 800 families. While it was a bittersweet time for those families to close their shul and come to ours, it has also been a joyful time as they brought their history and traditions to enrich our own.  Together, we started planning an exciting future. In 2014, we were able to unveil our new, beautiful, state-of-the-art Mandell Sanctuary.

We Are Thankful

In July 2018, we welcomed a wonderful addition to our clergy: Rabbi Andrew Markowitz, his wife, Michelle, and their son, Simcha; we celebrated the arrival of their son Sasson in 2020. Rabbi Markowitz brings talent, energy, and an infectious love of Jewish living to amplify the important values that we nurture at Adath Israel.  He has joined an Adath Israel clergy and professional team that has become known by our own membership (and throughout the Greater Philadelphia area) as uniquely committed to continued excellence, uplifted spirits, and deep meaning.  We have no doubt of our continued success and dynamism as a Jewish community.

The future is NOW at Adath Israel.