WELCOME TO
TEMPLE EMANUEL
Congregation Temple Emanuel, with a membership of just over 80 families, is a Reform synagogue with membership in the Union for Reform Judaism.
Congregation Temple Emanuel began as a permanent religious organization in September 1895, with its first Temple, a wooden building of Byzantine design, erected in 1901; and it served the Congregation until the erection of the current Temple Emanuel which was dedicated in 1923. Since its construction, the current Temple Emanuel has been in continuous use, serving the greater Beaumont and Golden Triangle area. In 2004, following a successful fundraising campaign, we restored and updated our beautiful Temple and its magnificent Main Sanctuary. In 2019, the Main Sanctuary of Temple Emanuel was rededicated and named The Gale Foundation Sanctuary to honor Jewish philanthropists Rebecca and Edwin Gale, of blessed memory.
ABOUT OUR
RABBI
Rabbi Chava Koster, a native of Amsterdam, became spiritual leader of Congregation Temple Emanuel on July 1, 2021.
EDUCATION & BACKGROUND
- Senior Rabbinic Fellow: Shalom Hartman Institute, 2009 – 2013
- Rabbinic Ordination: The Academy for Jewish Religion, New York, NY, 1997. Rabbinic Thesis: Women’s Voices in the Binding: A Yiddish Sefer Tchines (Translation: Yiddish Book of Women’s Prayer)
- M.A. in Jewish Education and M.A. in Jewish Studies from Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Thesis: The Parliament of Children: the Education Legacy of Dr. Janusz Korczak
- Fellow: Melton Centre for Research in Jewish Education, New York, NY, 1993
- Doctoraal Program in English Historical Linguistics: University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1986. Doctoraal Thesis: Chaucer and Langland’s Preaching Foxes: A Comparative Study of Corrupt Ecclesiastical Figures
- M.A. Program: University of Durham, United Kingdom, 1984. Honor: Harting Committee Award
- B.A. in English Language and Literature: University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1983
ABOUT OUR
RABBI
Rabbi Chava Koster, a native of Amsterdam, became spiritual leader of Congregation Temple Emanuel on July 1, 2021.
EDUCATION & BACKGROUND
- Senior Rabbinic Fellow: Shalom Hartman Institute, 2009 – 2013
- Rabbinic Ordination: The Academy for Jewish Religion, New York, NY, 1997. Rabbinic Thesis: Women’s Voices in the Binding: A Yiddish Sefer Tchines (Translation: Yiddish Book of Women’s Prayer)
- M.A. in Jewish Education and M.A. in Jewish Studies from Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Thesis: The Parliament of Children: the Education Legacy of Dr. Janusz Korczak
- Fellow: Melton Centre for Research in Jewish Education, New York, NY, 1993
- Doctoraal Program in English Historical Linguistics: University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1986. Doctoraal Thesis: Chaucer and Langland’s Preaching Foxes: A Comparative Study of Corrupt Ecclesiastical Figures
- M.A. Program: University of Durham, United Kingdom, 1984. Honor: Harting Committee Award
- B.A. in English Language and Literature: University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1983


Rabbi Samuel Rosinger
1910-1957
HISTORY OF
TEMPLE EMANUEL
According to the Texas Historical Commission Plaque, “The High Holy Days in September 1887 marked the first recorded date for Jewish worship in Beaumont.” And, it was on Erev Yom Kippur, the evening that preceded the Day of Atonement, that a congregation was organized. It’s first rabbi did not arrive until 1892. French born Rabbi Aaron Levy lead the small congregation which called themselves Congregation Emanuel, meaning “God be with us”, first in a private school and then at the Harmony Club which was located on the second floor of the Central Fire Station.