Temple Israel has embarked on a transformative plan, Vision 2026: Shaping Our Future Together, guided by our deep commitment to connection and community. This capital campaign is an investment to ensure that our congregation and its greater pipeline—our preschool—remain a beacon of excellence and an enduring home for all.

One of Temple Israel’s most important gateways to Jewish life for our congregation and greater community, the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center, on her 26th anniversary, will undergo enhancements and expansions to support not simply square footage but rather innovation—in curriculum, in space, in security, and in technology—to sustain its position as the premier preschool in Memphis.

WE ARE A LAUNCHPAD.

EXPAND & ENHANCE
OUR PRESCHOOL

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

Renovated classrooms, filled with sunlight and specially designed to meet the developmental needs of every child from infant to preschool

Four additional classrooms

Children’s library to nurture their 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

WE ARE WHERE CURIOSITY GROWS.

Outdoor learning and gardening spaces

Outdoor playground renewal and expansion to offer developmentally appropriate experiences

School safety & security upgrades

New technology and modernized furnishings

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

WE ARE OUR JEWISH FUTURE.

JOIN US

This school’s $5 million vision, born from thoughtful planning and strong leadership, calls for your active support. Our community’s generosity is the only guarantee to continue nurturing our youngest, most curious minds for generations to come. Every contribution, large or small, is crucial in turning this vision into reality.

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

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

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

Vision 2026 Donors

As of June 4, 2025

Anonymous 
The Arney, Gronauer, and Scheidt Families
Julie and Lawson Arney 
Josie and Steve Ballin
Carol and Bert Barnett 
Golden and Stephen Bearman
Drs. Lauren Arnold and Brandon Bell 
Julie and Byron Besser
Marcy and Michael Blen
Sherry and Peter Blumberg 
Mickey and Arthur Buring
Bonnie and Elliot Cohen
Marilyn and Harvey Cook 
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Dinkelspiel 
Amy and Richard Dorsey
Beni and Mike Dragutsky
Edie and Eric Efron 
Rebecca Belz and Sam Fargotstein 
Margaret and Shepard Fargotstein
Rhonda and Lenny Feiler and Family 
Gloria and Eddie Felsenthal 

Freddie Felt
Janis and Pat Finan 
Cyndie and Larry Fogarty 
The Fogelman Family
The Folz Family
Milton Fortas Bequest
Lisa and Jonathan Frisch
Leah Gafni
Lisa Menuskin and Neil Gibson
Sharon and Michael Goldstein, Julie and Michael Goldstein, Jessica and David Goldstein
Richard Greenberg
Sheril and Rabbi Micah Greenstein
Helen Gronauer and Family
Suzanne Gronemeyer
Sheliah and Scott Gruber
Lauren, Bill, Jacob, and Benjamin Hackney
Isabel Vasconez and Adam Hanover 
Marci and Geoffrey Hirsch
Peggy and LR Jalenak
Elise and Richard Jordan
Justin and Ben Katz
Faith and Leonard Kaye

Marty Kelman
Denise, Jeffrey, Hannah, and Martin Kerlan
Ronni Z. Kirsch
Gabby and Zach Kisber
Karen and Michael Koplon
Susanne and Bruce Landau
Geri and Hal Lansky
Barbara Lapides and Family
Jami and Adam Lazarov
Debbie and Ron Lazarov
Laura and James Linder
Alla and Nathan Lubin
Melissa and Brian Lurie
Jan and Jack Magids and Family
Leigh and Danny Mansberg
The Meskin Family
Taylor and Benjamin Orgel
Robin and Billy Orgel
Sally and Michael Pelts
Mary Lynn Perl
The Plough Foundation
Lisa Usdan and David Portnoy
Ann Rabinovitz
Wendy and Steve Radke

Judy Ringel
Shelli and Sheldon Rosengarten
Jennifer and Mike Ross 
Wendy and Cary Rotter
Debra and Alex Saharovich
Sherry and Alan Samuels
Betsy and Andy Saslawsky
The Herbert Shainberg Foundation 
Lisa and Howard Silver 
Farryl and Josh Silver 
Katie and Ryan Silverfield
Marcy Wurzburg Stagner 
Jill and Ken Steinberg 
Terri and Scot Struminger 
Sharyn Tritsch
Cathy and Craig Weiss
Edward J. Wise Bequest 
Barrie and Kenneth Wurzburg 
Carol and Ralph Yaffe
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