History

THE STORY OF TEMPLE EMET: 2010

Sometimes, the only way to get exactly what you want is to start at the very beginning and build it carefully, one piece at a time. That's exactly what about 31 like-minded spiritual people did during the summer of 2010. Building on the idea that they wanted to start a new Reform Synagogue in the South Bay with Rabbi-Cantor Didi Thomas as its spiritual leader, this talented, hard-working group set about the task of making it all happen.

At the first meeting the new temple was named. TEMPLE EMET- the Temple of Truth - was suggested by Rabbi Didi and was immediately adopted. The first goal was to find a place to meet and hold High Holy Days services.  The talented Robin Zimmer soon designed a beautiful logo and Temple Emet began to take shape.

When Temple Rodeph Shalom lost their revered Rabbi Kahane, their congregation joined the Temple Emet community. They blended seamlessly with the budding congregation of Temple Emet, where they were welcomed with love and gratitude.

In September of 2010, at the Hacienda Hotel in El Segundo, more than 50 congregants celebrated their first High Holy Days as Temple Emet!  Later that month, on September 21, Temple Emet became an official Jewish Congregation!

TEMPLE EMET: 2013

Today, Temple Emet continues to grow by leaps and bounds. More than 200 people participated in High Holiday services in 2013 at Temple Emet’s home at The Pacific Unitarian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes.

The PUC is a warm, welcoming environment, where the congregation of Temple Emet celebrates and worships in harmony. Shabbat evening services are held the first and third Fridays of the month, and Saturday morning services take place on the second Saturday of the month.  A lively lay-led Torah study group meets three times a month to learn and discuss each Parsha of the Torah.

Temple Emet also celebrates special holidays with dinner gatherings and parties, such as Sukkot service and dinner, a Chanukah party, and a Kosher Passover Seder. A thriving Sisterhood and Men’s Club provide additional support and activities for Temple Emet. B’nai Mitzvah classes for both youths and adults are on-going and Religious School classes began meeting once a week in September, 2013.

Led by the beloved and spiritually gifted Rabbi-Cantor Didi Thomas, Temple Emet is a welcoming, spiritual, inclusive congregation, serving the entire South Bay and Palos Verdes Jewish communities. 

TEMPLE EMET: 2014

​We are pleased to announce that 2014 was a year of FIRSTS! We had our very first B'nai Mitzvahs as a congregation in February 2014 with the bar mitzvahs of Quinn Robinson and Cole Allyn. We had our very first Adult B'nai Mitzvah in April of 2014. AND most exciting - we acquired a place to call our own to become officially be the first Reform Jewish Temple in Torrance. Construction started on the building as we made our way into 2015!

TEMPLE EMET: 2016 CURRENT & FUTURE

​We could not be happier that we are in our beautiful new facility in Torrance.  Please come visit us on February 5th, 2016 for services and a meet and greet with Rabbi/Cantor Didi Thomas.

Please join Temple Emet for services or contact the Temple for more information: 310.316.3322 or info@templeemet.org.          

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