Congregation Temple Israel (Creve Coeur, Missouri)
Congregation Temple Israel | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Modernist | |
Date established | 1886 (as a congregation) |
Completed |
|
Specifications | |
Capacity | 2,200 worshippers |
Site area | 24 acres (9.7 ha) |
Website | |
ti-stl | |
Temple Israel (1907) | |
St. Louis, Missouri | |
Coordinates | 38°38′57″N 90°15′52″W / 38.649077°N 90.264516°W |
Built | 1907 |
Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
Part of | Holy Corners Historic District (ID75002138) |
Added to NRHP | December 29, 1975 |
Congregation Temple Israel is a
History
Temple Israel's founders differed in opinion from the leadership of Shaare Emeth, favoring the more liberal political and theological view point that was sweeping parts of Europe and the United States at the time.[3] One of these founders was Rabbi Solomon H. Sonneschein, who became Temple Israel's first rabbi. During the first year of operation (1886), Temple Israel had between 60 and 70 members and 604 persons attended the first Erev Rosh Hashanah services.[3]
The first Temple Israel building, a stone temple located off 28th and Pine Street, was completed in 1888,
In 1957, membership had grown to 1,358, and a larger facility was needed to accommodate. The cornerstone of a new Temple Israel building was laid on June 18, 1960, though only after a legal battle with the city when the congregation chose its new home.[3] The synagogue was involved in litigation against the City of Creve Coeur when the City changed its zoning rules to prohibit any churches, including the synagogue, just after the synagogue purchased land for a new building. The Supreme Court of Missouri ruled that state law did not authorize municipalities to regulate the location of churches.[9]
The Creve Coeur synagogue was completed in 1962 and is located on a 24-acre (9.7 ha) site in suburban greater St. Louis. Designed in the
The congregation has attracted a number of notable speakers to address the congregation including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,[12] Abba Eben, Henry Kissinger, and Simon Wiesenthal.[13]
The synagogue conducted its first wedding for an LGBT couple in 2008.[14] In 2010, Temple Israel made history by promoting assistant rabbi, Amy Feder, 31, to senior rabbi, making her the youngest female senior rabbi to lead a large Reform congregation in North America.[15] In 2018, the Temple had approximately 900 member households.[1][10]
Rabbis
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Rabbis_Amy_Feder_%26_Michael_Alper.jpg/220px-Rabbis_Amy_Feder_%26_Michael_Alper.jpg)
The following individuals have served as rabbi of the congregation:
- Solomon H. Sonneschein, 1886-1890
- Leon Harrison, 1890-1928
- Ferdinand M. Isserman, 1929-1963
- Martin E. Katzenstein, 1963-1967
- Alvan D. Rubin, 1967-1987
- Mark L. Shook, 1987-2010
- Amy Feder, 2010-present
- Michael Alper, 2023-present
Notable members
References
- ^ a b "About Temple Israel". Congregation Temple Israel. Retrieved June 27, 2011.[self-published source?]
- .
- ^ ]
- ^ Wayman, Norbury L. "History of St. Louis's Neighborhoods". Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011 – via Google Scholar.
- ^ Simmons, David J. (Winter 2006). "The Architecture of Nineteenth-Century Synagogues in St. Louis". Newsletter of the Society of Architectural Historians Missouri Valley. 12 (4): 1–8. Retrieved January 2, 2024 – via Synagogues of the South.
- ^ Wachs, David; Wachs, Heidi (n.d.). "CONGREGATION TEMPLE ISRAEL, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (SECOND BUILDING)". Wandering Jews. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ St. Louis City Information Network listings for Holy Corners Historic District
- ^ "Congregation Temple Israel v. City of Creve Coeur, 320 S.W.2d 451 (Mo. 1959)". Retrieved August 26, 2015.
- ^ ISBN 9780313288562. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ Powers, Robert (n.d.). "Temple Israel". Built St. Louis. Retrieved January 2, 2024 – via Synagogues of the South.
- St Louis University. Retrieved December 20, 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "Temple Israel to mark 125th anniversary". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
- ^ Weiss, Richard (May 19, 2008). "Extraordinarily Ever After: A St. Louis Wedding". St. Louis Beacon. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ Moore, Doug. "Rabbi is youngest female senior leader of Reform congregation". stltoday.com. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
External links
- Official website
- Golden Jubilee history of Temple Israel: 1886-1936: prepared in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the temple: 5647-5697. Creve Coeur, MO: Congregation Temple Israel. 1937 – via Google Books.