Our next Temple of Israel Music Series will begin in March 2027
Temple of Israel Music Series
4 EXCITING CONCERTS in our UPCOMING 2027 MUSIC SERIES
Temple of Israel Music Series
4 EXCITING CONCERTS in our UPCOMING 2027 MUSIC SERIES
Previous Concerts at the historic Temple of Israel
Folkstone Stringband
June 28, 2026
Ben Chontos, Jones Smith
Sophia Stepanets , Classical Pianist
January 11, 2026
Organ & Strings Concert, March 15, 2026
Dockside Strings (Dan Sanchez, John Sullivan, Brent Trubia, Paul Leiner)
Temple of Israel Sanctuary (C. 1876)
Historic Temple of Israel (c. 1876)
1 South 4th Street
Downtown Wilmington
Country & Bluegrass, June 28, 2026
Randy Hawse, Ben Chontos, Jones Smith
Organ & Stings, March 15, 2026
Dan Sanchez, Violin
Paul Leiner, Cellist
Brent Trubia, Violist
About the Temple of Israel Music Series
THE FOUNDERS
THE FOUNDERS
THE FOUNDERS
The Temple Music Series was the brainchild of Temple President Shai Abisch and Larry Zimmerman, Temple pianist and the Artistic Director for the series. It's inaugural season was a smashing success and inspired the founders to add an additional concert for year two.
Shai knows music is popular in Wilmington, especially after seeing the r
The Temple Music Series was the brainchild of Temple President Shai Abisch and Larry Zimmerman, Temple pianist and the Artistic Director for the series. It's inaugural season was a smashing success and inspired the founders to add an additional concert for year two.
Shai knows music is popular in Wilmington, especially after seeing the rapid growth of the informal music circle he began several years ago. “The sound in the Temple is perfect for music and we wanted to share that experience with our community. The concerts are of different genres featuring the talents of local and national musicians. There is something for everybody,” Shai shared.
Larry Zimmerman, who also arranged several pieces for the first concert, believes, “The Temple is a magical place and the acoustics are amazing.” Listening to the organ and seeing the sanctuary awash in color as the mid-afternoon sun shone through 19thcentury-stained glass windows, it certainly felt magical.
THE VENUE
THE FOUNDERS
THE FOUNDERS
The Temple of Israel was completed in 1876 and is the oldest Jewish house of worship in North Carolina. It is also one of the ten oldest Jewish Congregations in the United States to worship in its original nineteenth century synagogue structure.
The Temple Sanctuary offers many historical features to be enjoyed while listening to the wo
The Temple of Israel was completed in 1876 and is the oldest Jewish house of worship in North Carolina. It is also one of the ten oldest Jewish Congregations in the United States to worship in its original nineteenth century synagogue structure.
The Temple Sanctuary offers many historical features to be enjoyed while listening to the wonderful sound of our concert musicians.
The exterior architecture, pews in the sanctuary, and stained-glass window geometric patterns, are of Moorish influence, a popular movement during the construction of the Temple.
The Pilcher-Tracker Organ, installed in 1906 and restored in 1990, is now one of only a handful of operational organs left in the country.
The Chandelier is believed to have come from Landau, Germany and is believed to be over 500 years old. It was initially lit with oil, then candles, and later gas. It was electrified in 1903.
Bask in the beautiful reflections of the afternoon sunlight through the Stained-Glass Windows while listening to our incredible local and nationally renowned musicians.