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Main Campus
Today Temple Israel occupies the third building in its long history. Located in Creve Coeur, in suburban St. Louis County, the T.I. main campus occupies twenty-four acres in a park-like setting. Since its opening in 1962, the campus has experienced numerous additions and improvements. Facilities on campus include:
- The Gall Family Sanctuary - With seating for 900, this sacred space is the centerpiece of the unique design by Gyo Obata, of the internationally reknowned architectural firm of Hellmuth, Obata, and Kassabaum (HOK). The ceiling evokes the peaks of the tents of the Israelites in the wilderness. Beams and skylights create a huge Magen David (Star of David). The walls are simple, plain wood strips. The pews are sparse in ornamentation. All is designed to focus the eyes on the Bimah sculpture by the noted St. Louis artist Rodney Winfield.
Winfield's sculpture is a powerful and imposing structure of bronze and steel, which expresses the Jewish heritage in shapes which recall Biblical stories. In the center of five tons of metal reaching thirty feet in height, is a simple, unadorned aron hakodesh (Holy Ark). When the side wall of the Gall Sanctuary is opened, the Isserman Auditorium joins with the sanctuary to form a worship space with a capacity of 2,400 worshipers. The Bimah sculpture turns 45 degrees to change the center of the congregation uniting both rooms into one worship space.
- The May Chapel - The focal point of this gem-like worship space is a floor to ceiling tapestry depicting the dream of Jacob. Jacob experiences angels ascending and descending on a sulam (ladder). St. Louis artist Muriel Helfman depicts the sulam as a series of heavy ropes from earth to heaven. Since the ropes have knots and fringes, there is a suggestion of a heavenly tallit (prayer shawl). The ropes conceal the aron hakodesh, a simple, fabric lined niche in the front wall. The May Chapel is the site of numerous life cycle events as well as Shabbat worship. It has a capacity of 175.
- The Isserman Auditorium - Named in honor of the third Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel, Rabbi Ferdinand M. Isserman, the auditorium is truly a multi-purpose room. Up to five hundred persons can be accommodated at a sit-down dinner or buffet. Concerts, plays, receptions, Purim carnivals, conferences and public meetings are but a few of the uses of the auditorium.
- The Goldstein Education Center - Connected by the Edison Bridge lounge, to the main Temple building, the Goldstein Education Center is a three-story school building containing classrooms, library, youth lounge, and offices. A variety of educational programs, including Religious School, Hebrew School, Youth Groups, and the Deutsch Early Childhood Center are housed within its walls.
- Rabbi Mark and Carol Shook Camp - Named in honor of our current Senior Rabbi and his wife, the camp provides space for two summer day camp programs: Camp Chaverim (ages 1-pre-kindergarten) and Camp Elonim (post-kindergarten - fourth grade). Outdoor camp facilities include a large in-ground pool, playgrounds, athletic fields, tricycle paths, pavilion, and assembly area.
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Congregation Temple Israel
#1 Rabbi Alvan D. Rubin Drive - Ladue Road at Spoede
St. Louis, MO 63141-7670
Voice: (314) 432-8050 Fax: (314) 432-8053
e-mail:
writeus@ti-stl.org
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