Temple BNai Israel

Founded: 1896

Affiliation: Union for Reform Judaism

Location: Petoskey, MI

80 member units

Founded in 1896, Temple BNai Israel (TBI) began with local Jewish merchants who served the many tourists that flocked here in the summer months on steamers and trains looking for clean air. TBI is one of the founding congregations that began the student Rabbi partnership with the Hebrew Union College offering pulpits for students to gain experience while providing some rabbinic presence for small, rural congregations. We have been in our current location in downtown Petoskey since the 1930s and have worked hard to expand our northern Michigan campus, which includes two buildings. The first building includes the sanctuary and social hall, expanded and renovated in 2003(?) and the second building is a newly built parsonage, opened for Rabbinic stays in 2021. Currently TBI hosts a vibrant, all volunteer, Sunday school program, offering lessons for 5 year olds through BNai Mitzvah. While still utilizing the student rabbis from HUC during the school year, TBI currently contracts with a retired Israeli Rabbi for summer visits. Service attendance blossoms in the summer with the lively spirit of our visiting clergy, but the true heart of the congregation is evident at the communal holiday and life cycle gatherings.

Contact: tbipetoskey@gmail.com

templebnaiisraelofpetoskey.org