Dear Friends of Temple Israel,

For more than 104 years, Temple Israel has been a place where lives were shaped, traditions were celebrated, friendships were formed, and generations of families found a Jewish home. Whether you worshipped with us on Shabbat, the High Holy Days, celebrated a confirmation, bar or bat mitzvah, were married in our Sanctuary, attended religious school, sang with our choir, served on a committee, or gathered with friends and family in moments of joy and remembrance, you are part of the Temple Israel story.

We are excited to share that an important new chapter in that story has officially begun.

After many months of thoughtful planning, collaboration, and careful review, Temple Israel of Greater Miami and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation have formally signed the Joint Venture Agreement that will guide the future of our historic campus.

While Temple Israel's congregation concluded its chapter in 2025, our responsibility to preserve and honor the legacy of this sacred institution continues. This agreement creates a path forward that allows our campus to once again become a vibrant gathering place for Jewish life, learning, and community for future generations.

As part of this next chapter, the newly formed Joint Venture will operate under the name Jewish Miami Commons: A Temple Israel Legacy, a name chosen intentionally to ensure that Temple Israel's legacy remains permanently connected to the future of this campus and the generations it will serve.

Over the past year, the vision for the property has continued to evolve. The current plan focuses on creating a new Jewish community campus that includes a pluralistic Jewish middle and high school, gathering spaces for community programming, and opportunities for organizations to come together in meaningful ways. The goal is simple: to ensure that this special property remains a place where Jewish life flourishes for generations to come.

At the heart of every conversation has been a commitment to Temple Israel's history. We know how much this campus means to so many people, and we recognize the deep emotional connection that generations of members have to the Temple Israel campus. Efforts continue to explore the future restoration and preservation of the Bertha Abess Sanctuary, ensuring that its significance remains part of the campus story moving forward.

To help carry Temple Israel's voice into the future, Marc Lamb and Peter Bermont will serve on the Board of Jewish Miami Commons, providing leadership, continuity, and stewardship as the project advances. Their involvement ensures that Temple Israel's values, history, and legacy are represented as important decisions are made about the future of the campus.

The signing of the Joint Venture Agreement does not mean construction begins tomorrow. There are still important milestones ahead, including master planning, city approvals, fundraising, and development benchmarks. These safeguards help ensure progress is thoughtful, responsible, and aligned with the vision we have developed over the past several years.

For the first time, we have a formal framework in place to move from vision to reality. We have an opportunity to transform a beloved historic property into a beacon of Jewish life, learning, and community while honoring the generations who came before us.

As we look ahead, we do so with immense gratitude. Temple Israel was never just a building. It was, and continues to be, a community built by thousands of people who gave their time, talent, leadership, and love to create something extraordinary. The legacy of Temple Israel lives on through every person whose life was touched by this congregation.

Thank you for being part of that legacy.

We look forward to keeping you informed as Jewish Miami Commons: A Temple Israel Legacy continues to take shape and as we work together to honor our past while building for the future.

With gratitude, hope, and excitement for the future,

Temple Israel of Greater Miami Board of Directors
Shari Debowsky, President & CEO
Marc Lamb, Chairman of the Board
Peter Bermont
Ken Gordon
Monica Hoo
Leigh Rothschild
Mark Teitelbaum

"L'dor V'dor — From Generation to Generation"