Central Reform Temple - Our History

Central Reform Temple of Boston had its beginnings in 2004, borne out of the recognition that there was a need for a progressive, Jewish experience for a variety of constituencies in the city’s central neighborhoods. “Boston Jewish Spirit” was conceived by Rabbis Howard A. Berman and Devon Lerner as a special outreach to interfaith and multicultural families, LGBT people, urban dwellers, and all spiritual seekers interested in an accessible encounter with the liberal ideals and traditions of Reform Judaism. On its journey from the first High Holy Day service as Boston Jewish Spirit (BJS), to a vibrant congregation, now Central Reform Temple of Boston (CRT), we have marked important milestones and occasions for this community.

Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire installed as rabbi of the congregation April 30, 2023. The service was attended by CRT and Emmanuel Church members, clergy colleagues of Rabbi Shire, staff and students of Hebrew College and many other friends and family. On the shabbat preceding in the installation Kol Arev Chamber Choir of Hebrew College, Artistic Director, Cantor Lynn Torgove, Music Director, Amy Lieberman performed in honor of Rabbi Shire's installation. The choir was be joined by KlezKabShab band featuring - Yaeko Miranda Elmaleh, violin. 

​In photo at left, Rabbi Devon Lerner, chair of the search committee that recommended Rabbi Shire, passes the torah scroll to him as a symbol of the leadership of the congregation passing into his hands.  
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​​ Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire was appointed part-time rabbi in February 2022 after an extensive rabbinic search. His appointment was unanimously confirmed by the Search Committee, the Board, and by the congregation. His tenure with us began with a Shabbat service on July 1, 2022. Rabbi Shire serves as Rabbi in Residence at Emmanuel Church and is Professor of Jewish Education at Hebrew College.
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Rabbi Howard A. Kosovske joined Central reform Temple in July 2020 in the middle of the CoVid pandemic. As a trained Transitional Specialist, Rabbi Kosovske led us through a year of online services as the pandemic raged and through the following year of restarting onsite services in Lindsey Chapel at our home Emmanuel Church. During that time he invited us to envision how Central Reform Temple of Boston would evolve. He supported our Rabbinic Search Committee as they embarked upon a prayerful search for our next settled rabbi. Rabbi Kosovske's steady hand and good natured way kept us moving forward into the future. Rabbi Kosovske and his partner Janet Kramer made a lasting imprint upon the life of Central Reform Temple. We will be forever grateful to them for two years they spent with us.
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Rabbi Howard A. Berman retired in May, 2020 after leading the congregation as its founding rabbi from the beginning. Rabbi Berman’s vision of a progressive and inclusive congregation in Boston’s Back Bay stands as our beacon to the future. His guidance of the small group who began the congregation as BJS in 2005 nurtured the growth and vibrance of the congregation through its first 16 years. Central Reform Temple of Boston will forever be linked to those early days when a small group gathered and, led by Rabbi Berman, set off on a journey that continues today. The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 robbed us of our celebration of Rabbi Berman’s contributions in person but his legacy will always be a part of Central Reform Temple and one for which we will be forever grateful.
Some of the highlights of CRT’s development as a spiritual community:
  • First High Holy Day services were held at the Arlington Street Church (September 2004)
  • Shabbat Eve service celebrating the 1st anniversary of Marriage Equality, and BJS’s first baby naming (2005)
  • BJS formally incorporates as a Classical Reform congregation (2005)
  • Emmanuel Episcopal Church offers BJS “a home” for worship and programs (2005)
  • Rabbi Berman becomes Rabbi-in-Residence at Emmanuel (2005)
  • BJS receives its first Torah Scroll from Rabbi Edward Cohn of Temple Sinai in New Orleans (2006)
  • Emmanuel Church and BJS establish Emmanuel Center, an interfaith partnership for shared programs at the intersection of spirituality and the arts (2007)
  • Boston Jewish Spirit celebrates its 5thanniversary  (2009)
  • BJS builds its first Sukkah in front of Emmanuel Church (2009)
  • BJS receives its second Torah (2010)
  • Inauguration of “A Light through the Ages,” our Chanukah celebration (2010)
  • Boston Jewish Spirit endorses its new and current name, Central Reform Temple of Boston (2012)
  • 10th Year Gala Video CLICK HERE 
  • CRT celebrated its 13th year with a Kehilat Mitzva Gala celebration. Click to watch a video of our 13 years.
  • CRT’s ‘Touring as Torah’ trips –Israel (2013), Cuba (2014), England (2015), Poland/Hungary (2016), Spain (2017), Israel (2018), Montreal (2018), Copenhagen, Hamburg and Germany (2019)
  • CRT’s domestic ‘Touring as Torah’ – Savannah (2015), Washington DC (2016), New York City (2017), Pittsburgh (2019)
  • CRT and Emmanuel mutually affirm a covenant between congregations Read the Covenant CLICK HERE
  • Rabbi Berman Tribute Book CLICK HERE
  • Rabbi Howard A. Berman retires – May, 2020
  • Rabbi Howard A. Kosovske, Transitional Specialist,  joins Central Reform Temple of Boston July 1, 2020.
  • Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire appointed settled rabbi in February 2022.
  • Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire assumes his role as rabbi of the congregation July 1, 2022.
  • Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire installation as rabbi of the congregation April 30, 2023.
  • New Ark consecrated at Erev Rosh Hashanah service September 15, 2023.