Temple Emanuel was founded by two families who aimed to emphasize intimacy and social action. Rhoda J.H. Silverman, who joined in 2000 as cantor, has been fulfilling the roles of rabbi and cantor since 2008. The synagogue has a poet- and artist-in-residence through the Temple Emanuel Society for Cooperative Artists, a group dedicated to expressing Jewish life through the arts. Art is integrated throughout the synagogue, from the Jubilee mural in its social hall and the conference room painted by seventh graders to the music in the services.