Temple Avodah was founded in 1952 by fifty families who shared a vision of building a thriving Reform Jewish congregation in their community. That vision took physical form on Oceanside Road, where today, in a newly renovated facility, we conduct religious services, operate a religious school, and host numerous activities and programs designed to involve and educate our members. We have become stronger with an April, 2000 merger with Union Reform Temple of Freeport, when the two congregations merged into a new Temple Avodah. As members, we are bound together by our commitment to Judaism, and guided by our spiritual leaders, Rabbi Uri Goren and Cantor Sheila Singer. Our dedicated Director of Jewish Education is Karen Feit. Come join us!
Famous Members and Famous Stories
There are thousands of stories about Temple members and their accomplishments. Here are just a few.
Rabbi Philmore Berger of Blessed Memory
In addition to his many accomplishments at Temple Avodah and prior congregations, Rabbi Berger took a major role in the funeral scene in Rocky III.
Saved from the Holocaust-Arnold Innerfield 1923-2010
Roslyn Klein-Olympic Torch Bearer-Turn up your volume for this!
Robert Iger - President & CEO, Disney Corporation
Robert Alan "Bob" Iger (born February 10, 1951) is the president and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company. He was named president of the company in 2000, and later succeeded Michael Eisner as chief executive in 2005. Iger oversaw the acquisitions of Pixar in 2006 and of Marvel Entertainment in 2009.
Iger's parents are Mimi and Arthur Iger of Long Beach, Long Island. His mother worked at Boardman Junior High School in Oceanside, New York and his father was executive vice president and general manager of the Greenvale Marketing Corporation, and a professor of advertising and public relations. He became a Bar Mitzvah at Temple Avodah.
Donald C. Winter - Secretary of the Navy
Donald C. Winter (born 1947) is an American businessman who served as United States Secretary of the Navy. A former top executive of Northrop Grumman, he was nominated in 2005 by President George W. Bush, confirmed by the United States Senate, and took the oath of office on January 3, 2006. In January 2009 Defense Secretary Gates requested that Winter remain in office until President Obama picked his successor or to March 13, 2009.[1] He resigned on March 13.
His family were long time residents of Oceanside and he became a Bar Mitzvah at Temple Avodah.
Beautiful Israel
The www.avodah.org Pagemaster Team
The Temple Avodah web site is maintained by a number of congregants who have volunteered their time to keep one or more pages up-to-date and interesting. In this way the workload is spread over many hands, and reflects a mixture of styles and ideas. If you are interested in being trained as a Pagemaster (approximately one hour), contact the site Webmaster, Barry Howard. Here are some of the current Pagemasters.