Our History

Temple Emanuel began as a group of residents of Virginia Beach following World War II in what is now the resort area.  Nathan and Blanche Polis opened their small home for daily and Shabbat services and soon began to think the community could have a "shul".  "Nat" and 22 charter members raised funds for the site on the corner of Baltic and 25th.  The cornerstone was laid on 17 July, 1949, and the synagogue opened its doors on August of 1951.  Because of the diversity of the community, we became members of the United Synagogue of America to include all.

The original temple building, which continues to be our sanctuary, was used as sanctuary,social hall, and classrooms.  By 1953, membership had grown to 75 families and we selected our first rabbi. 

In 1962 Rabbi Philip Pincus, a retired Army Champlain, joined our community as spiritual leader.  During the next fourteen years he guided the growth of Temple Emanuel.  In 1966 the construction of the education building and office was completed.

An active and successful bingo project held weekly at the Virginia Beach Dome began in February 1975, and did much to finance this expansion. A.I. (Buddy) Axelrod chaired the endeavor, and every week for eight years he was joined by Leyba and Bud Blumenthal. Sylvia and Marty Kalichman. Dot and Howard Kahn, and Miriam and Max Meyer, along with members who signed up for "duty" as often as possible. This project not only allowed the Temple to expand at this time, but enabled the Board to establish an Endowment Fund which would later be the basis for its next addition.

Rabbi Pincus retired in early 1976, and was subsequently named Rabbi Emeritus. Upon his retirement, the Sisterhood erected a 'Tree of Life." which now stands in the foyer of the present Social Hall, and dedicated it to Philip and Ann Pincus.

The annual Rabbi Philip Pincus Jewish Forum weekend was established in March 1983, to honor Rabbi Emeritus Pincus. 

During the 80's the congregation grew to where the sanctuary could no longer accommodate members en masse for High Holiday services.  A social hall/auditorium was built in 1987 that can be used for banquets and meetings, with a bimah and ark behind decorative doors to convert the space to a sanctuary.  The original building is connected to the new expansion by a glass-enclosed walk which overlooks the President's garden, made possible by the generosity of past temple presidents. At this time the educational building was also expanded to provide a more appropriate learning environment and improved administrative space.