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Temple of Israel (Wilmington, North Carolina)

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Coordinates: 34°14′08″N 77°56′40″W / 34.23546°N 77.9444°W / 34.23546; -77.9444
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Temple of Israel
Temple of Israel façade
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
Leadership
  • Rabbi Emily Losben-Ostrov
  • Rabbi James L. Apple (Emeritus)
Year consecratedMay 12, 1876
StatusActive
Location
Location1 South Fourth Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
CountryUnited States
Temple of Israel (Wilmington, North Carolina) is located in North Carolina
Temple of Israel (Wilmington, North Carolina)
Location in North Carolina
Geographic coordinates34°14′08″N 77°56′40″W / 34.23546°N 77.9444°W / 34.23546; -77.9444
Architecture
Architect(s)Samuel Sloan
TypeSynagogue
Style
Date established1872 (as a congregation)
Completed1876
Specifications
Dome(s)Two
MaterialsMasonry; stucco
Website
temple-of-israel.org

The Temple of Israel is a Reform Jewish synagogue located on the corner of Fourth and Market Streets in Wilmington, North Carolina, in the United States.[1] Built in 1876, the Temple of Israel is the oldest synagogue in North Carolina and one of the earliest Reform synagogues in the American South.[2][3] Temple of Israel is led by Rabbi Emily Losben-Ostrov.[4]

History

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Sephardic Jews first arrived in North Carolina during the early 18th century.[3] By 1852, a Jewish Burial Society was formed in Wilmington with a Hebrew cemetery opening in 1855.[5] An Orthodox Jewish congregation was formed in 1867, but did not succeed. In 1872, a Reform congregation was started by German Jews and their synagogue, the Temple of Israel, was dedicated on May 12, 1876.[3][6]

Architecture

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Designed by Samuel Sloan,[7] the synagogue is a combination of Greek Revival and Moorish Revival styles. The Moorish architecture is unique in the city of Wilmington, but was common during late 19th century for many American synagogues. The synagogue features horseshoe arches and twin towers topped with golden onion domes.[3][8] The building's exterior was restored in 1982, 2000 and 2013.[6] It is a contributing building in the Wilmington Historic District.

Notable members

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References

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  1. ^ Shimron, Yonat (September 8, 2009). "Temple anchors Wilmington's Jews". The News & Observer. newsobserver.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
  2. ^ Prose, Francine (March 7, 1993). ""A Sojourn On Cape Fear"". New York Times. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d Chiat, Marilyn (1997). America's Religious Architecture: Sacred Places for Every Community. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 251. ISBN 0-471-14502-5.
  4. ^ Scherr, Andy (March 7, 1993). ""Passover is here"". WWAY. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2008.
  5. ^ Watson, Alan (2003). Wilmington, North Carolina, to 1861. McFarland. p. 154. ISBN 0-7864-1427-8.
  6. ^ a b ""Overview"". Temple of Israel. Archived from the original on April 15, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
  7. ^ Serrano, Nicholas (2012). Esperdy, Gabrielle; Kingsley, Karen (eds.). "Temple of Israel [Wilmington, North Carolina]". SAH Archipedia. Charlottesville: Society of Architectural Historians. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  8. ^ Hutteman, Anne (2000). Wilmington, North Carolina. Arcadia Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 0-7385-0639-7.
  9. ^ "Bluethenthal, Arthur "Bluey"". Jewsinsports.org. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
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