Temple of Israel (Wilmington, North Carolina)

The Temple of Israel is a Jewish house of prayer located on the corner of Fourth and Market Streets in Wilmington, North Carolina, 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]

Temple of Israel in Wilmington, North Carolina
Side view of Temple of Israel

History

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]

Princeton All American football player and World War I hero Arthur Bluethenthal was a member of the synagogue.[7]

Architecture

The Temple of Israel's architecture is a combination of Greek Revival and Moorish 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

References
  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 (1993-03-07). ""A Sojourn On Cape Fear"". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  3. 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 (1993-03-07). ""Passover is here"". WWAY. Archived from the original on 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  5. Watson, Alan (2003). Wilmington, North Carolina, to 1861. McFarland. p. 154. ISBN 0-7864-1427-8.
  6. ""Overview"". Temple of Israel. Archived from the original on 2008-04-15. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  7. "Bluethenthal, Arthur "Bluey"". Jewsinsports.org. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  8. Hutteman, Anne (2000). Wilmington, North Carolina. Arcadia Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 0-7385-0639-7.

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