Temple Hillel began as a small congregation started by Herbert M. Shumer in 1954. Two years later, the current temple building opened. The temple prides itself on having multiple generations of family members as congregants. Rabbi Steven M. Graber joined the synagogue in 2003.
Temple Hillel features a religious school, an adult education program, several committees, clubs and a caterer on site. It also rents rooms for special events.
One of Temple Hillel's proudest moments was when President Ronald Reagan visited the congregation in 1984, which according to its website, was the first time a president visited a synagogue since President George Washington visited a Rhode Island temple.