Temple Emanu-El (Honolulu)

Temple Emanu-El is a Reform Jewish congregation in Honolulu that was established in 1938, and joined the Union for Reform Judaism in 1952. The synagogue building at 2550 Pali Highway was consecrated in 1960 under the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Roy A. Rosenberg. The architect was Edward Sullam, and the builder was T. Takahashi.[1] The sanctuary is decorated with 12 8-foot paintings by the New Mexico based artist Alice Flitter.[2]

For similarly named synagogues, see Emanu-El.
Temple Emanu-El, Honolulu, Hawaii

Educational Programs

In addition to providing religious services on Shabbat and on holidays, Temple Emanu-El offers various educational programs for children and adults. The School of Jewish Studies (SJS) provides Jewish religious and cultural education for students in preschool through about 7th grade. Students typically graduate from SJS by having their b’nai mitzvah, after which several youth group experiences become available through 12th grade.[3] Temple Emanu-El also offers a Torah Study program for adults.

The Kalakaua Torah and yad
Torah and yad presented to King Kalākaua by Rosenberg.

Elias Abraham Rosenberg came to Hawaii from San Francisco in 1886. Accounts vary as to whether or not he ever used the title “Rabbi”, but he was never ordained.[4] He developed a friendship with King David Kalākaua, telling him stories from the Old Testament and teaching him the Hebrew language. In 1887, Rosenberg returned to San Francisco because of political unrest surrounding the Bayonet Constitution in Hawaii. He left his Torah and yad (Torah pointer) with Kalākaua for safe-keeping.[5]

The Torah and yad remained in the royal family. During the 1930s and 1940s, the House of Kawānanakoa would lend the scroll to the Honolulu Jewish community for High Holy Day services. The “Kalakaua Torah” and yad were donated by Rosenberg's great-grandson Sholom “Scotty” Gelt to Temple Emanu-El and are permanently displayed in the main sanctuary.[5]

Footnotes
  1. Plaque near main entrance of temple
  2. Beigel, Greta, "Special paintings by artist Alice Flitter honor the 60th anniversary of Temple Emanu-El's sanctuary", Honolulu Star Advertiser, March 15, 2020, pp. D1 & D6.
  3. "SJS - Temple Emanu-El". Shaloha.com. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  4. Adler, Jacob, "Elias Abraham Rosenberg, King Kalakaua's Soothsayer", Journal of Hawaiian History, 1970, Vol. 4, p 56
  5. Tigay, Alan M., “The Jewish Traveler: Honolulu”, Hadassah Magazine, Vol. 90, No. 5, January 2009, 28.

References
  • Adler, Jacob, "Elias Abraham Rosenberg, King Kalakaua's Soothsayer", Journal of Hawaiian History, 1970, Vol. 4, pp 53–58.
  • "The King's Torah", Hana Hou, August/September 2017


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