A small number of families from Westport, Norwalk, and Stamford joined together in 1948 to form Temple Israel of Fairfield County.  These founders wanted to establish a contemporary congregation and religious school that reflected their tone of social involvement and intellectual pursuits.

Within one year the Temple membership numbered 30 families who held their High Holy Day services at the Elk's Lodge of Norwalk.  An active sisterhood was also established during that time.  In 1053 the first Confirmation class was confirmed.  By 1954 there were 100 children in the religious school and a permanent building site was selected on Coleytown Road in Westport.  In May of 1959, the new Temple building was dedicated with Abraham Ribicoff, the Governor of Connecticut, as the guest speaker. Temple membership had grown to approximately 250 families, and in the winter of that year, Rabbi Byron T. Rubenstein was installed.  Rabbi Rubenstein embodied the philosophy and goals of the congregation while maintaining the deeply spiritual traits and demeanor of a wise and gentle leader.

Sylvia Pressman became our first Administrator in 1958 and remained with us until she retired in 1992.  Sylvia's contribution to Temple Israel over a 34-year period was invaluable.

During the 1960s, Temple Israel became a center of the social movements of the day.  Author James Baldwin, South African Minister Gladstone Lhbati, sociologist Margaret Mead, and the Revered Martin Luther King, Jr. were all speakers at various Temple events.  In 1964, the Temple marked its fifth anniversary with a rededication ceremony, a new classroom wing, and the official name, Temple Israel of Westport.

Concerns about Israel were magnified during the 1970s.  A philosophical shift occurred, with the inclusion of more traditional melodies and prayers in religious services.  In 1972, Harold Brienes became the congregation's first Cantor, while shortly thereafter, Ruth Gruber, became the first full-time director of the religious school.  The Temple continued to react to global issues and the Refugee Committee sponsored the arrival of the first of several Soviet Jewish families to our area.

In 1982, Rabbi Rubenstein retired and he became Rabbi Emeritus.  Rabbi Robert J. Orkand arrived with his family from Rockford, Illinois, to become Temple Israel's new dynamic spiritual leader.  Then, in 1984, Cantor Vicki Axe became the congregation's first full-time, formally trained Cantor.  Membership grew to 700 families and in 1988 Temple Israel celebrated its 40th anniversary.  Cantor Axe left Westport and Richard Silverman became the new Cantor.  Diversity in membership continued and new programs were developed to meet the needs of the growing congregation.

In 1990, a large renovation and expansion to the building was completed.  The nursery school, established in 1987, was expanded and Temple Tots, a child/parent program for 12-30 month-old youngsters, was developed.  Rabbi Kathy S. Cohen became the Temple's Rabbi-Educator in 1991.

As more congregants indicated a need to a closer relationship with the Temple, the Continuity Program was designed and established in 1992.  Its goal was to bring people back to the Temple through innovative family/educational programming that emphasized the role of Judaism in all aspects of contemporary life.  In 1995 the Nursery Summer Program was formed under the leadership of Barbara Kermisch, the Temple's Nursery School Director.  Rabbi Cohen became a part-time Associate Rabbi and the Temple welcomed Steven Kandler as Temple Administrator, and Mark Casso as Temple Educator.  In 1996 Rabbi Cohen left for her own pulpit in Virginia.  The tremendous growth of the Congregation made the addition of another full-time rabbi necessary.  And, so, in 1997, Temple Israel welcomed its first Assistant Rabbi, Jonah Pesner.

As the Temple continued to grow to almost 1100 families, new staff members were engaged to meet growing demands.  Rabbi Jonah Pesner moved on to a new position in Boston and was replaced by Rabbi Edythe Mencher.  Cantor Donna Goldstein was engaged as Assistant Cantor.  Jason Nevarez became the Temple's full-time Youth Advisor, and Marilyn Fidler filled the position of Program Coordinator.

In 2004 the Temple completed another major expansion with the addition of a new educational center.  Rabbi Mencher left the Temple and was replaced by Rabbi Alysa Mendelson Graf. And, Scott Harris became Assistant to Cantor Silverman. Myra Healy became the Director of Early Childhood Education.