Temple Israel, the largest and last-standing Reform synagogue for a four-state region serving 1,500 households, has embarked on a transformative, once-in-a-generation campus renewal plan. Titled “Vision 2026” for its urgency to realize a vision today, the project is a strategic investment to ensure that our congregation remains a beacon of excellence and an enduring home for generations to come.

One of Temple Israel’s most important gateways to Jewish life for our congregation and greater community, the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center (ELC) , on her 36th anniversary, is expanding not only in square footage but also in innovation—curriculum, security, and technology—to ensure our position as the premier preschool in Memphis.

The Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center is committed to creating a nurturing, inclusive community that fosters curiosity, growth, and a love of learning. Grounded in Jewish values and an integrated approach to academic excellence and social-emotional development, we believe in shaping confident, capable, and compassionate thinkers to be the leaders and dreamers of tomorrow. Our school, which serves children ages 6 weeks through Junior Kindergarten, proactively weaves Jewish values into the fabric of everyday learning and, as a result, our families’ everyday lives.

WE ARE A LAUNCHPAD.

EXPAND & ENHANCE
OUR PRESCHOOL

This campaign resolves a two-decade facilities deficit, finally giving educators the environment they need — and families expect.

Current classrooms were built for a different generation of childcare and have been thoughtfully redesigned with 2026 standards of safety, accessibility, and developmental practice while adding natural light, child-height fixtures, and sensory-smart design, none of which exist in the current footprint. Without an expansion of multiple classrooms, Temple Israel must continue turning away dozens of Jewish community families each year.

We are where Curiosity grows.

PROJECT FEATURES

  • A new two-story, 3,000-square-foot atrium designed as a multi-purpose space for indoor movement, preschool Shabbat, holiday events, and more — a safe and inviting central space

  • Children’s library to nurture a love of reading

  • Learning labs for our children to grow as they explore Hebrew and Judaics, music, art, support services, specialty classes, and electives

  • Indoor dedicated play space

  • Outdoor learning and gardening spaces

  • Outdoor playground renewal and expansion to offer developmentally appropriate experiences

  • School safety and security upgrades

  • New technology and modernized furnishings

  • New administrative offices, meeting spaces, and teacher workroom and resources

WE ARE OUR JEWISH FUTURE.

JOIN US

Temple Israel is precisely where giving grows generations.

Vision 2026 is not a single project, but a coordinated investment in long-term sustainability. At the same time, Temple leadership continues to steward a complex operating budget that sustains daily Temple life. Together, these efforts reflect a commitment to excellence, responsibility, the future of Temple Israel, and a critical mass of Jewish children and adults for the greater good of the Memphis Jewish community and Southern Judaism.

Whether you are a newcomer or a native, a graduate or grandparent, we are all beneficiaries of those who came before us.

Together, let’s shape the leaders and dreamers of tomorrow—l’dor vador, from generation to generation.

Contribute Today

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

We invite you to make a meaningful pledge today toward this once-in-a-generation renewal of the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center—an investment in our children, our families, and the future of our community.

Your gift may be fulfilled through a multi-year payment plan between now and 2030.

Donations can be made by credit card, ACH, donor-advised funds, or with appreciated stock. Once you select a gift amount and payment method that works best for you, our team will follow up to ensure the process is simple and seamless.

Donors who pledge $1,800 or greater over 5 years will be recognized on permanent artistic signage in our Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center (see rendering).

Every contribution, large or small, is crucial in making this vision a reality. 

  • These visionaries bring substantive investment to not only our facilities but in Temple’s future and into the next generation of families.

  • Infuse enrichment into our new two-story, 3,000-square-foot atrium designed as a multi-purpose space for indoor movement, preschool Shabbat, holiday events, and more — a safe and inviting central space for children and families to gather and make memories.

  • Provides new classroom furnishings, play spaces, and creative learning materials that make our children’s daily environment inspiring and joyful.

  • Supports enhancements to outdoor learning environments — from shade structures to garden spaces — where curiosity and connection blossom.

  • Funds interactive stations for sensory learning, imaginative play, and exploration.

  • Just like Leo the Lion, our ELC mascot, this gift brings spirit to every learning moment in our school.

  • Provides art supplies, easels, and materials that nurture imagination and expression.

Pledge Your Gift Today

Vision 2026 Donors

As of February 1, 2026

Anonymous 
Steven Antman
The Arney, Gronauer, and Scheidt Families
Julie and Lawson Arney 
Barbara Bacharach
Josie and Steve Ballin
Carol and Bert Barnett 
Golden and Stephen Bearman
Drs. Lauren Arnold and Brandon Bell 
Abbey and Bryan Benjamin
Marcy and Michael Blen
Sherry and Peter Blumberg 
Merrill Bonder
Rose Merry Brown
Beverly Buchalter
Mickey and Arthur Buring
Terri and Paul Burson
Dee Cannell
Bonnie and Elliot Cohen
Marilyn and Harvey Cook 
Barbie and Ray Dan
Jeanne and Rabbi Harry Danziger
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Dinkelspiel 
Amy and Richard Dorsey
Beni and Mike Dragutsky
Edie and Eric Efron 
Lynn and Gerald Eisenstatt
Susan and Raymond Evans
Rebecca Belz and Sam Fargotstein 
Margaret and Shepard Fargotstein
Rhonda and Lenny Feiler and Family 
Gloria and Eddie Felsenthal 
Fredrika Felt
Janis and Pat Finan 
Marcia and Thomas Fisher
Cyndie and Larry Fogarty 
The Fogelman Family
Richard & Kimberly Fogelman

The Folz Family
Cindy and Jim Forman
Milton Fortas Bequest
Judy Freedman
Lisa and Jonathan Frisch
Leah Gafni
Lisa Menuskin and Neil Gibson
Gary Gold
Jamie and Glenn Goldring
Harry Goldsmith
Bunny and Jeff Goldstein
Sharon and Michael Goldstein, Julie and Michael Goldstein, Jessica and David Goldstein
Anatoliy Goltsman
Phyllis and Jay Greenberg
Richard Greenberg
Sheril and Rabbi Micah Greenstein
Helen Scheidt Gronauer and Family
Suzanne Gronemeyer
Ginger Gruber
Sheliah and Scott Gruber
Lauren, Bill, Jacob, and Benjamin Hackney
Isabel Vasconez and Adam Hanover 
Melanie Atterman Hart
Johanna Hawtof
Sherry Goldstein Hecht
Jenny and Larry Herman
Marci and Geoffrey Hirsch
Natalie and Jimmy Jalenak
Peggy and LR Jalenak
Regina Jolly
Elise and Richard Jordan
Paula and Marc Kahn
Sondra Kaminsky
Justin and Ben Katz
Faith and Leonard Kaye
Marty Kelman
Liz Kennedy
Denise, Jeffrey, Hannah, and Martin Kerlan
Robert Kerlan
Ronni Z. Kirsch

Gabby and Zach Kisber
Jan Klein
Linda Bedrin and Don Klotwig
Karen and Michael Koplon
Susan and Alan Kosten
Susanne and Bruce Landau
Geri and Hal Lansky
Barbara Lapides and Family
Jan and Dr. Daniel Lavene
Jami and Adam Lazarov
Debbie and Ron Lazarov
Stephanie and Barry Leff
Carol and Henry Levy
Susan and Paul Levy
Randi and Ralph Levy
Sarah (z’l) and Jeff Lewis
Laura and James Linder
Susan and Jay Lindy
Alla and Nathan Lubin
Melissa and Brian Lurie
Elaine and Leonard Lurie
Jan and Jack Magids and Family
Leigh and Danny Mansberg
The Meskin Family
Myra and Mel Meskin
Marcy Milman
Jenny and Eric Newman
Taylor and Benjamin Orgel
Robin and Billy Orgel
Sally and Michael Pelts
Deedee and Ron Perel
Mary Lynn Perl
Susan and Lawrence Pfeffer
Billie & Joey Pierce
Carole and Dr. Charles Plesofsky
The Plough Foundation
Lisa Pomerance
Lisa Usdan and David Portnoy
Ann Rabinovitz
Barbara Radler

Wendy and Steve Radke
Jan and Marc Reisman
Marilyn and Richard Reinhardt
Judy Ringel
Meryl Shahun Rosen
Randa Rosenblum
Shelli and Sheldon Rosengarten
Jennifer and Mike Ross 
Wendy and Cary Rotter
Debra and Alex Saharovich
Sherry and Alan Samuels
Betsy and Andy Saslawsky
Mitchell Schuman
Joyce Margulies and Uttam Shah
Karen and Dr. David Shainberg
The Herbert Shainberg Foundation 
Jane and John Shelton
Lisa and Howard Silver 
Farryl and Josh Silver 
Katie and Ryan Silverfield
Cara Sklar
Marcy Wurzburg Stagner 
Jill and Ken Steinberg 
Kimberlee and Scott Strome
Terri and Scot Struminger 
Elissa & Marc Taub
Temple Israel Sisterhood
Sharyn Tritsch
Blair and Eric Trotz
Marsha and Michael Underberg
Cathy and Craig Weiss
Patti and William Weiss
Alice Wexler
Kathy and Michael Wexler
Irene and Andrew Wilner
Edward J. Wise Bequest 
Eileen and Steve Wishnia
Amanda and Gary Wolf
Mary and Charles Wurtzberger
Barrie and Kenneth Wurzburg 
Carol and Ralph Yaffe
Caren Yarmuth
Hollie and Greg Ziskind

If you have a specific preference for how your name is displayed as a generous donor to Vision 2026, please contact Jen Kollath at (901) 937- 2795.

  • “Our Temple Israel ancestors always selflessly planted seeds of a future not their own. We must do the same.”

    Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein

  • “Vision 2026 is a bold initiative designed to enhance the physical and spiritual heart of Temple Israel. With a total project cost of $15 million, this campaign will fund crucial renovations, expansions, and upgrades that will support our growing congregation and ensure that our sacred spaces meet the needs of future generations.”

    Mark Gulner, Executive Director

  • “Our temple is more than just a place of worship; it is our home away from home. It is where we gather to share our joys and sorrows, where we trust our children will receive a strong Jewish education, and where we find community and spirituality. Guided by our faith, we are committed to making the world a better place. That is why we chose to support this campaign—to ensure that our temple remains a guiding light for future families, allowing them to experience Judaism as deeply and meaningfully as we have.”

    Helen Scheidt

  • “Our children grew up at Temple, shaping who they are as Jews today and how they will raise their children.This congregation is our extended family. With our gift to Vision 2026, we are so grateful and blessed to be able to pay it forward, planting seeds for future generations of Temple Israel families.”

    Wendy & Cary Rotter

  • “I have a special place in my heart for Temple Israel. There is no place in this country like it, and we are so incredibly lucky to be a part of the Temple family. I was honored to serve as president of the congregation, and I’m helping lead Vision 2026 because I know how important it is to continue to invest in Temple’s future and into the next generation of outstanding families. Temple is already great, but the best is yet to come, and I am fortunate to be a part of it!”

    Laurie Meskin