Temple Beth Emet of Burbank

Founded in 1958, Temple Beth Emet is an independent congregation with its roots in the Reform movement. Our basic philosophy is that a synagogue should be a house of worship, a house of study, and a house of gathering. We try to be a place where all Jews feel welcome and comfortable. We learn from each other and grow together. We accept people where they are in their Jewish experience, and offer the opportunity to grow in the direction they choose. Together, we form a diverse family, bound together by our love of Judaism - and each other!

Officers and Board of Directors:   July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010

Temple Mission and Vision Statements

A Brief History

In 1958 Burbank was a growing city. Families were moving into the San Fernando Valley and buying homes. Ten reform-minded Jewish families decided they needed a place to worship and established Temple Beth Emet.

The temple had its first service in the chapel of the United First Methodist Church on March 7, 1958. Less than a month later, the congregation held its first annual community Passover Seder. A few months later, Hank Blum was elected the first president of Temple Beth Emet.

In January of 1960, the temple received its own first Torah. The small congregation decided it needed a “home of its own” and with the assistance of a temple member who was a realtor, Temple Beth Emet purchased a house near Magnolia and Third Streets in Burbank to serve as its synagogue.

In the early days, the congregation was led by a series of rabbis, some of them student rabbis. In 1965, Rabbi William M. Kramer became the spiritual leader and some might say, he put Temple Beth Emet on the map. He was not only a rabbi, but a professor, a lawyer, and a scholar. He wrote weekly articles for the Jewish Heritage newspaper and was a preeminent authority on the Jewish history of the west.

In 1977 the Burbank Redevelopment Agency sought to acquire the land on which the temple stood. Arrangements were made for the Temple to acquire it's present site. The Temple sanctuary was literally picked up from one location and transported to its new site, to be used as a social hall, and a new facility constructed.

In July 1986, Rabbi Mark H. Sobel joined Temple Beth Emet as Educational Director and Rabbinic Intern. Later his duties were expanded to include Assistant Rabbi. Upon Rabbi Kramer's retirement in June 1996, Rabbi Sobel became the Rabbi of Temple Beth Emet.

Under Rabbi Sobel, Temple Beth Emet expanded its involvement in the community, including supporting the Burbank Human Relations Council, Valley Storefront and Burbank Temporary Aid, interfaith activities, and social action programs such as Mitzvah Day.

Temple Beth Emet particularly values its friendship with St. Jude's Episcopal Church, where High Holiday services are held.

As Temple Beth Emet looks forward, the congregation recognizes the need to address the issues facing the Jewish community of the 21st Century, which include changing demographics, intermarriage, assimilation and loss of Jewish identity, and changes in the structure of the family. The “Temple With a Heart” has always innately embraced those whose lives are touched by these issues and takes great pride in the diversity of the congregation.

50th Anniversary Gala Celebration

Website History as of May 1, 2009

Over ten years ago, in late 1998, discussion began on the idea of having a website for the Temple. A computer consultant (specializing in database administration and web design) was contacted who volunteered to design and build the site as a contribution to the Temple. The site was published online in early 1999 and was up for just over three months before being taken offline. The idea was ahead of its time and drew little attention from the congregation.

By mid 2002, Internet use had spread dramatically. Another Temple member stepped forward and designed and built a website for the Temple; the one with predominantly blue coloring. This design was well received by the Temple members and remained in effect with only minor changes since its online inception until April 2008.

In late 2006 it had been decided that, after four years, the overall website design was in need of refreshing in order to ensure that the Temple has a website which suits the needs and desires of the congregation in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. Consequently, the Temple Board began looking for a professional website designer to incorporate new ideas and needs of the users and a website committee was established.

In April, 2008, a newly designed website was published online; a work-in-progress that has been undergoing modifications and improvements in order to come up with a site that truly represents Temple Beth Emet, this congregation and its high standards and ideals. But it's not over yet.

If we want to have a good website, an effective website, we need to have continual input from you. We need to know what it is that you like about the site as well as what you do not like about the site. Your feedback is imperative to making this site a viable, dynamic tool to meet your informational needs. Your thoughts are wanted regarding anything dealing with the site content, look, and design; whether it be the size of the print, the colors being used, the order in which things appear, etc.

Please help us maintain this website by sending your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to our Webmaster at Webmaster@TempleBethEmet.com.