Temple Israel’s Nancy Mae Shaines Memorial Library is dedicated to providing access to information within a space that will help our community members connect to their Jewish identity, grow intellectually and expand their knowledge and understanding. Please visit to browse the stacks, use the computer workstations and utilize our extensive resources that are part of the most extensive Judaica/Jewish interest collection north of Boston.
Our 7,000 books and media are cataloged according to the Elazar classification system, which uses decimals to organize Jewish material for easy browsing. Signs at the end of each aisle describe the contents of each shelf.
Check out our young adult collection and children’s reading area, with holiday puzzles and stuffed friends to read to! Browse through our wonderful collection of movies, periodicals, literature, history, and much more.
For more information contact our librarian by email or at (603) 436-5301 ext. 25.
The Temple Israel Gift Shop is small but mighty. We offer a full range of Judaica to meet your gift, holiday and everyday needs. Drop by to view our beautiful display cases featuring a selection of the items that we have in stock. If you don’t see what you want, please let us know and we will be glad to order it for you. All profits of the shop go to the Temple Israel.
We carry many items, from ritual needs to holiday collectibles, candles, toys, and books. If you cannot find what you are looking for, just ask.
The Gift Shop is open by appointment, with regular hours around Chanukah and Passover.
Kolbo Gallery
By adding this product to your cart, 10% of your total purchase price, before tax, will be donated to Temple Israel of Portsmouth. This is a free product, and will not increase the cost of your purchase. If you experience technical difficulties, or wish to place an order over the phone, call 617-731-8743 / 800-238-8743 (toll free) and be sure to request that product code “IP-TINH10” be added to your cart.
Temple Israel is part of Modern Tribe’s affiliate program. Temple Israel will receive 5% of purchases made by customers who have come to Modern Tribe using Temple Israel’s custom link.
Temple Israel maintains both Jewish and interfaith cemeteries on Banfield Road in Portsmouth. Plots are also available in Dover’s Pine Hill Cemetery. Member families may reserve plots by arrangement with the Cemetery Committee.
Directions to Portsmouth cemetery
For GPS, use the intersection of Banfield Road and Peverly Hill Road.
From Interstate 95 (southbound): take exit 5 onto the Portsmouth Traffic Circle and turn onto Route 1 South (Lafayette Road). Proceed south, past Dunkin Donuts, MacDonald’s, and Comfort Inn on your right, and turn right at the traffic light onto Peverly Hill Rd. At the bottom of the hill, take the first left onto Banfield Road. The temple cemetery will be on the right side of the road, just a short way in from the intersection.
From Interstate 95 (northbound): Take exit 3. Bear right to follow NH-33. Turn right onto Peverly Hill Road and then right onto Banfield Road. The temple cemetery will be on the right side of the road, just a short way in from the intersection.
For information, email us or call 603-436-5301 ext. 10.
Temple Israel Stands with Israel.