Temple Israel (Boston)

For other synagogues named "Temple Israel", see Temple Israel.
Temple Israel's 1906 building (now the Morse Auditorium of Boston University).

Temple Israel is a Reform synagogue in the American city of Boston, Massachusetts.

History

The congregation Temple Israel, originally known as Adath Israel, was founded in 1854 when Jews of German ancestry seceded from Ohabei Shalom, then the sole synagogue in Boston, because so many Polish Jews had joined the congregation.[1] The congregation immediately renovated a house on Pleasant Street for use as a synagogue.

In 1859, it purchased land in Wakefield, Massachusetts, for a cemetery.[2]

Architecture

1885 building

In 1885, the congregation erected "the first architecturally significant synagogue" in Massachusetts. The Rundbogenstil building, with twin towers and a rose window in the form of a Magen David stands at 600 Columbus Avenue, at the corner of Northampton. Today, it is the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.[3] It is the oldest synagogue building still standing in Massachusetts.

1906 building

In 1906, the congregation moved to a new building that is now the Morse Auditorium of Boston University.[4]

1926 building

In 1926, the congregation began work on a new temple, on the Riverway at Longwood Avenue. The "monumental", Classical building was planned to have an enormous, domed sanctuary, with flanking wings. Only the west wing, about one-fifth of the planned space, was completed before the stock market crash of 1929.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ The Jews of Boston. Sarna, Jonathan D.; and Smith, Ellen (editors). Boston. 1995. p. 169.
  2. ↑ The Jews of Boston. Sarna, Jonathan D.; and Smith, Ellen (editors). Boston. 1995. p. 170.
  3. ↑ The Jews of Boston. Sarna, Jonathan D.; and Smith, Ellen (editors). Boston. 1995. p. 176.
  4. ↑ The Jews of Boston. Sarna, Jonathan D.; and Smith, Ellen (editors). Boston. 1995. p. 177.
  5. ↑ The Jews of Boston. Sarna, Jonathan D.; and Smith, Ellen (editors). Boston. 1995. p. 196.

External links

Coordinates: 42°20′24.71″N 71°06′33.32″W / 42.3401972°N 71.1092556°W / 42.3401972; -71.1092556

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