A Synagogue in Alpena?
Yes! Since 1891, Temple Beth-El of Alpena has been serving Judaism in Northeast Michigan. We are an historic synagogue with a warm and welcoming congregation that cares about every person, Jewish and non-Jewish, in our community. We are an oasis of Judaism along Lake Huron, and as a blend of Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox (“Re-conserva-dox”) members, our focus is on that which unites us: our belief in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
We welcome you to our community where we cherish our heritage and cultivate Jewish life.
Until then, enjoy your visit on our website!
Shalom!
The Alpena News wrote an article about Hanukkah celebrations in Northeastern Michigan’s Jewish community, including the Hanukkah party held at Temple Beth-El. Read the article here: https://www.thealpenanews.com/news/2025/12/celebrating-hanukkah-in-northeast-michigan/.
Temple Beth-El was honored to participate in the Historical Society of Michigan’s 151st annual conference held in Alpena September 26-28, 2025 — with a presentation, titled “The Jewish experience in Alpena,” to about 30 people who attended. Read more about the conference in The Alpena News: https://www.thealpenanews.com/news/2025/09/151st-annual-michigan-history-conference-coming-to-alpena/.
The Historical Society of Michigan offered a guided tour of Temple Beth-El, and more than 50 members of the historical society and friends visited. Several guests said they were Jewish and attended various synagogues downstate. We all engaged in answering lots of very interesting questions, and of course we heard “I didn’t know there was a synagogue in Alpena!”
Temple Beth-El is a member of L’Dor v’Dor — a group of six congregations from Northern Michigan and Northern Ontario. L’Dor v’Dor shares resources, plans shared events, learns from each other, and enhances the Jewish experience of its member communities.
On August 16, 2025, the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan presented an award to L’Dor v’Dor and its six member congregations, including Temple Beth-El. JHSM’s Board of Directors chose to honor L’Dor v’Dor and its congregations with their L’Dor v’Dor Award which recognizes an exceptional project or program dedicated to handing down Jewish history and culture to the next generations. Temple Beth-El is pleased to be included in this consortium.
For more information, please visit the organization’s website at ldvd.net.
The mission of Temple Beth-El is to maintain our historic synagogue as a place of worship and Torah study for Alpena and surrounding area residents and to develop and maintain a strong Jewish presence in our community. Our long-term mission is to perpetuate Jewish tradition through education, social activities, and life-cycle events.
We hope you will visit our special sanctuary and join us for fellowship and worship.
Your donation will sustain our mission and growth. Thank you.
Temple Beth-El, Alpena 