oldest synagogue in california

Cantor Frommers approach to Jewish worship favors spirited communal participation with moments for cantorial expression and musical dialogue between the cantor and the congregation. Initially these groups met and worshipped together, but in 1851 they formally established two different congregations using two different rites. She received her investiture as a cantor from the Hebrew Union College in New York City in 1985 and later completed the first program for cantors at the Institute of Jewish Spirituality. Wilshire Boulevard Temple - Los Angeles, California. The building was used as Stocktons synagogue until 1905. State, many Jewish students hide their identity. Here are some pics I took: Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? Sardis Synagogue - Manisa Province, Turkey - 223-187 BCE. During her junior year in Florence studying art history, she spent time exploring small Jewish communities to learn as much about them as she could. One group, largely from northeastern Germany, established the Congregation Sherith Israel. In his spare time he enjoys walking along the beautiful trails in the Bay area, as well as trying out new bars and restaurants. Oldest Ashkenazi Synagogue in New York City Destroyed in Fire As 120-year-old Beth Hamedrash Hagadol burned, former congregants and neighbors recalled the vibrant life it once housed Firefighters work to contain a fire at the Beth Hamedrash Hagadol synagogue in New York City, May 14, 2017. Credit: JOE PENNEY/REUTERS Taly Krupkin May 15, 2017 In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the worlds greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. 1. I have attempted communication directly with Temple Israel for other images and unfortunately, have received no response. In his view, the stones, bricks and designs of the synagogues are a record of what different Jewish communities built over time, with differing budgets and circumstances. Owing to the migration of nearly all of Egypt's Jews to Israel, today the monument functions as a museum. With the music, the dome and the artwork telling the story of our people, one blends in and becomes part of thousands of years of Jewish tradition. Dedicated in 1763, it still serves an active congregation and each year greets over . By country Africa Algeria Her most recent album, Journey to Shabbat, a collection of contemporary Jewish prayer melodies, was recorded in the temple's historic sanctuary.[9]. In 1851, the Stockton Jewish community celebrated the High Holy Days at the Corinthian Theater. Explore Congregation Beth Israel (oldest synagogue in California) in San Diego, CA as it appears on Google Maps and Bing Maps as well as pictures, stories and other notable nearby locations on VirtualGlobetrotting.com. Temple Beth Israel: San Diego: 1889 Synagogue: Tied with Temple Beth Sholom for the oldest extant synagogue in California. In 1960 the growing congregation moved to yet another facility. There, he sang with Magevet, Yales Jewish A Cappella Group, performing across the US and internationally in Canada, Europe and the UK. They constructed their first synagogue in 1854. Cantor Glassman has also served on the Yad B'Yad Task Force of the World Union for Progressive Judaism with an emphasis on outreach to Jewish communities in Latin America. These groups found each other, and formed a pre-congregation of sorts, possibly the first one in California (it is unknown if this group was predated by the one in Stockton). A few years later, the old sanctuary was moved to American Street, and a new one was built to take its place next to the Jewish Community Center. Cantor Glaser has always had a passion for classical music and has studied with leading voice teachers both in Australia and Germany and performed with many of Australias leading opera companies including Victorian Opera, Melbourne Lyric Opera, Melbourne Chorale, and numerous choirs and vocal ensembles. In September 1849 months after the discovery of gold but still a year before California achieved statehood a small band of Jewish pioneers gathered in a wood-frame tent. A number of rabbis served Temple Israel until 1956, when. Main Sanctuary Gallery and Dome (SE aspect), Temple Sherith Israel Sanctuary Exterior, Congregation Sherith Israel (San Francisco, California), The founding of Congregation Sherith Israel, "Building biography: An optimistic building for an optimistic age", "Judaism heads west: Sherith Israel and San Francisco Woven together like braids of challah", "Gold Rush roots: Eureka! However, the 1905 synagogue is still standing and is still a landmark on Madison Street. But few know that America's oldest synagogue is right here in Rhode Island - and it's open for tours! Rabbi Rosenthal noted the congregation is more diverse, more middle-class, more traditional, with a younger leadership, than in years past. Congregation Beth Israel is the oldest Jewish congregation in San Diego; and its first synagogue, Temple Beth Israel, is the oldest synagogue still standing west of the Mississippi River. 24. His later career also included a stint as president of Central Conference of American Rabbis. List of the oldest synagogues in the United States Touro Synagogue, Newport, Rhode Island (founded c. 1658, built 1759-63) Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, Charleston, South Carolina (founded 1749, built 1840-41) Congregation Shearith Israel, New York, New York (founded 1654, built 1896-97) Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. This is because, even though it only dates to 1270 AD, it is the oldest intact synagogue in the world still in use as a synagogue. One of the two oldest synagogue`s in California, 3. San Francisco, California - February 23, 2019: The Main Sanctuary of Congregation Emanu-El. POWAY, CA - APRIL 27: The exterior of the Congregation Chabad synagogue is seen on April 27, 2019 in Poway, California. San Francisco responded in full: more than 3,000 people attended a protest meeting. 's former culture editor. Temple Israels 1851 cemetery is the oldest Jewish burial ground west of the Rocky Mountains, Preisler writes. with honors in History from Yale University. Touro Synagogue, (founded c. 1658) Newport, Rhode Island, 1759 building Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue,(founded 1740s) Charleston, South Carolina, 1840 building Congregation Shearith Israel, (founded 1655) New York, 1897 building The . Our American Jewish community is diverse, historic and the second largest in the world, the independent researcher and author of four other Jewish history books writes in his introduction. The California chapter recounts the nearly simultaneous beginnings of San Francisco congregations Sherith Israel (1849) and Emanu-El (1850), as well as Temple Israel in Stockton (1849), which has occupied no fewer than six different buildings and evolved from Orthodox to Reform along the way. The congregation was formally established in 1862, and they occupied several synagogues for over half a century. As World War II approached, members of the congregation helped refugees from Germany settle in Stockton, where they became valuable members of both the Stockton and Jewish communities. There are several points of interest in the building, including a 30-foot-deep ritual bath, fed by a natural spring, and two bakeries. I am working on a new book about American pioneer Jewish congregations and would like to use the vintage photo you have on the site of the old Temple Israel in Stockton, CA. became the spiritual leader of Temple Israel. Emanu-El also built its first synagogue in the early 1850s just a few blocks away from its sibling. San Buenaventura Pier: Ventura: 1870 Pier: Oldest pier in California. The building survived the 1906 earthquake and served the prosperous community for another 20 years. It was relocated in 1861 due to the threat of flooding, and replaced by a new more permanent structure in 1905. 5 PLACES TO VISIT IN HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA MUSLIM TRAVEL ROCKS, MOVING THE U.S. EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM FAITH IN FAITHS. Rabbi Graf wanted to be a rabbi since she was 15. This was the congregations home for nearly four decades. In 1925, Temple Israel bought two lots at Madison and Willow Streets for the construction of a Jewish Community Center. The structure stands 140 feet (43m) above California Street. Explore all the different architectures from Roman to Hellenistic! Within a decade, the citys Jewish population swelled, and so did the congregation. Oldest Synagogue California Stock Photos, Images & Pictures. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the worlds greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. In 1935, the first Jewish prayer service in 443 years was held at the synagogue, and it was officially reopened in 1985. After serving Congregation Beth Abraham in Tarrytown, New York, Cantor Feldman came west in 1960 to become cantor of Congregation Sherith Israel, where he served for 43 years. The very first Synagogue on earth was the " Great Basilica Synagogue of Alexandria (Egypt: 280 BC - 117 AD) referenced by Philo in 38 AD, which the Jerusalem Talmud in 400 AD says Hadrian destroyed in 117 AD. JOYFUL Shabbat services at CBI are full of joyful melodies, the beautiful voice of our Cantorial Soloist, vibrant sounds of acoustic guitar and piano. The Old-New Synagogue: Beautiful!! Oakland, California - September 30, 2018: The Torah Ark of Temple Sinai Reform Synagogue. The Reform congregation was established five years before its first synagogue was dedicated, in 1854, on Stockton Street between Broadway and Vallejo. Going back to the 1870`s, this congregation and this second temple, has faced many of San Francisco`s histories. One of the oldest synagogues in California, Sherith Israel, 2. [6], Remembered more for scholarship than social activism, Rabbi Morris Goldstein turned his attention inward to the congregation during World War II and the post-war era. The honor of oldest standing synagogue in the United States goes to the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island. No need to register, buy now! Early in his tenure, he took up the cause of Edgardo Mortara, a Jewish boy in Bologna, Italy who had been secretly baptized by his nurse. In the 142 years since then, the building has had many incarnations, and is now in its . While improvements have been made through the ensuing years, the building has been preserved close to its original construction. The first Jewish congregation in Rhode Island was formed in 1658, and by 1758 the Jewish population in Newport was large enough that they decided it was time to build a synagogue. Temple Israel of Stockton: One of the Oldest Synagogues in California Temple Israel of Stockton The City of Stockton was founded in 1846. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. Copyright 2022 The Complete Pilgrim, LLC || Marietta, GA 30068 ||. The beautiful synagogue, designed by architect Peter . as membership expanded rapidly in the second half of the 19th century. In addition to her love for chazzanut the cantorial art Cantor Glassman composes and records songs both in Hebrew and English in folk, pop and country music styles. 5500 Grossmont Center Dr. La Mesa, CA 91942. Tifereth Israel remains the only Conservative synagogue serving the East County and one of the oldest synagogues in California. Sadly, their destructive opportunism included the defacing of Congregation Beth Israel, one of the oldest synagogues in Los Angeles and the spiritual home to many Holocaust survivors over the years. In April 1851, San Franciscos frontier Jews met again, this time to establish a permanent congregation and elect officers. He attended Montclair State Teachers College and received a vocal scholarship from the David Mannes School of Music in New York City. Heeding this realization, congregational leaders first secured property on the northeast corner of California and Webster Streets on September 8, 1902, then hired cole des Beaux Arts-trained architect Albert Pissis to draw up plans for a new temple. Hope it helps! Thank you for visiting! Find information on synagogues in Marysville as well as 10 synagogues in California, 146 synagogues in United States Its historic sanctuary building is one of San Francisco's most prominent architectural landmarks and attracts visitors from all over the world. Preislers 2008 ebook American Synagogues: A Photographic Journey showed the value he places on archival photographs as documents of both change and persistence. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com. Although lacking a rabbi and Torah scrolls, they were determined to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The job took her to an observatory in the Chilean Andes to count light particles. The congregation now occupies its third structure, a domed building on California and Webster streets built in 1904. The Wilshire Boulevard Temple is the oldest synagogue in Los Angeles. On the streets of Los Angeles. Oakland, California - September 30, 2018: Temple Sinai Reform Synagogue Dome. The Old Synagogue of Krakw is one of the most valuable Orthodox Jewish synagogues in Europe. San Leandro Historical Society Column: Built in 1889 it was the 4th place of worship built after town established & it may be. Its present building dates from 1896-97. It brings together photographs, maps, drawings and blueprints to tell the tale of San Francisco's largest and most prosperous synagogue. Like many European Jewish settlements, the Old-New Synagogue has witnessed tragic anti-Semitic acts of violence. Sign in Sign up for FREE Prices and download plans Cantor Feldman received a vocal scholarship from the Opera Department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1965, as well as an honorary doctorate in music from Hebrew Union College in 1998. In 1904, on its fiftieth anniversary, the new Temple Israel of Stocktonwas completed and dedicated. excellent site!! Temple Israel received a letter and donation of a bag of moneyfrom the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, Stockton Klan No. Rabbi Levy also took leave to serve as an Army chaplain. Congregation Sherith Israel is one of two Jewish congregations in San Francisco that were born out of the California Gold Rush. In 1851, The San Diego Herald reported: "Three Jews met at the home of Lewis Franklin for High Holy Day services." He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. Website. Temple on Wilshire Boulevard. In 1876, Congregation Ryhim Ahoovim made Herman Davidson its Rabbi-Cantor, a position held for twenty years. In 1926, the congregation dedicated an elegant new Mediterranean Revival building at Arguello and Lake streets, which is still in use today. They worshiped together again during Passover and the High Holy Days in 1850, formed two benevolent societies to aid the needy and bought land for a cemetery. Copyright 2000-2022 Dreamstime. Nonetheless, the State of California has mandated that unreinforced masonry structures like Temple Sherith Israel must meet stringent seismic resilience standards. After losing its next home to yet another of the conflagrations that routinely swept through the city during those early years, Sherith Israel's members built the temple's first house of worship on Stockton Street between Broadway and Vallejo in 1854 at a cost of $10,000. What do List of the oldest synagogues in the United States and Temple Israel (Stockton, California) have in common. Three early Jewish merchants wereIsaac Zacharias, J. Rosenbaum, and Bernard Frankenheimer. Some chapters contain vintage images that have not previously appeared in a general publication. Buildings fascinate me, and I am drawn to synagogues.. In a visible departure from tradition, the Post Street sanctuary was designed for mixed seating. B. Blackman, deeply regretting the late occurrences at the Asylum, over which, however, they had no control, bring to the notice of their co-religionists in the State of California, that should the hand of Heaven, in its inscrutable counsel, ever afflict any of Israels sons or daughters, so that they should have to take refuge in the Asylum of their city, on notice being given to the Parnass, or to the Secretary of the Synagogue Raim Ahoobim (sic), they will be ready to offer every assistance, and pay every attention in their power. Touro Synagogue, a building of exquisite beauty and design, steeped in history and ideals, and one of the most historically significant Jewish buildings in America, was designated a National Historic Site in 1946. Ostia is the main seaport of Rome built by Augustus. Its signature dome which can be seen from many vantage points throughout San Francisco is 60 feet (18m) wide at its outside diameter. (Tradition says that the Society was founded in the latter months of 1849.). Before joining Congregation Sherith Israel, she worked for congregations in New York, Pennsylvania and Iowa, as well as Bay Area congregations Beth Sholom in San Francisco and Rodef Sholom in Marin County. Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He has also taught at Central Synagogue, Temple Shaaray Tefila and the Jewish Community Project Downtown. Hyperleap helps uncover and suggest. Understandably, many enterprising young Jews did not see much of a future for themselves in their homelands. Synagogue is the Jewish house of worship. There I was at the top of a mountain in the Andes taking pictures of the night sky, which Ive since paired with Jewish texts, comments Rabbi Graf. It achieved this title when the city's previous record-holder, the Old Synagogue, was demolished to make way for the 19th century Spanish synagogue. (619) 656-1168. Touro Synagogue - The Oldest Synagogue in America. With its own fast congregation, Emanu-El also needed a new building. In his worship services, Cantor Glaser loves infusing traditional and well-loved melodies with contemporary flare, leading the community in a variety of musical styles with percussion instruments and guitar. The sanctuary was officially consecrated on September 24, 1905. It was transformed into a branch of the Historical Museum of Krakw that reflects the daily lives of the Jewish community that lived in Kazimierz before the Second World War. Rabbi Weiner sat on the San Francisco Human Rights Commission for many years, as well as on the boards of many Jewish organizations. Sadly, their destructive opportunism included the defacing of Congregation Beth Israel, one of the oldest synagogues in Los Angeles and the spiritual home to many Holocaust survivors over the. Mr. Julian H. Preisler Falling Waters, West Virginia. San Francisco, California - September 22, 2019: Dome of Congregation Sherith Israel. It was established during California's Gold Rush period and reflects the ambitions of early Jewish settlers to San Francisco. Stockton was the main supplier of goods for mines between the Merced River and the Mokulumne River in California's Gold Country. Los Angeles, USA, 2016:02:24 Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Under the leadership of many nationally prominent rabbis, Sherith Israel has been a long-standing advocate for social justice in the Jewish community and for the many diverse multicultural communities that call San Francisco home. One of the two oldest synagogue`s in California, 5. In 1854, Julius Eckman was hired as the first rabbi to. =====================================================, Community Service by Stockton, California Jewry 1857. He grew up in Manhattan and, following his familys move, graduated from high school in Kentucky. Two dynamic rabbis hastened the move toward Reform: Rabbi Henry Vidaver (18731882) and Rabbi Jacob Nieto (18931930). He provided religious support for Jewish soldiers and civilians stationed in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar. However, her path to the rabbinate included some unusual twists and turns. In 1898, Rabbi Rudolph Farber was hired, and Herman Davidson, who had left earlier,was called back to be the cantor under Rabbi Farber. In 1993, Rabbi Jason Gwasdoff became the spiritual leader of Temple Israel. Congregation Sherith Israel. Drawn by the lure of wealth, freedom and opportunity, California became their new Promised Land.[2]. During the 1980s under Rabbi Weiner and, in the 1990s with Rabbi Alice Goldfinger, Sherith Israel developed model programs to feed the homeless and the homebound. It was moved to its current location on Madison Street in 1930. One of the two oldest synagogue`s in California, 6. World War II saw many young men of the congregation go to war, some not returning. On the day before Yom Kippur, I skipped lunch and walked over to the Mikv Israel-Emanuel Synagogue here in Willemstad, a temple which holds the distinction of being the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas. Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue A block-long bright yellow building standing almost fortress-like above the surrounding streets in Willemstad, the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue bears testament to the long history of Judaism in the Americas. Synagogues may be considered 'oldest' based on different criteria such as oldest surviving building or oldest congregation. While services were held and education for children was provided, it was not until 1891 that the Congregation was formally chartered, as then the State of California required such chartering. Following his investiture, Cantor Frommer deployed overseas as the first cantor to serve as a chaplain in the US military. In 1870, Congregation Sherith Israel moved to a Gothic-style structure on Post and Taylor Streets, where it remained for 34 years. Then gold was found 140 miles away at Sutter's Mill. In typical fashion they split almost immediately, forming not one but two synagogues: Congregation Sherith Israel followed the minhag Polen, the traditions of Jews from Posen in Prussia, while Congregation Emanu-El chose to worship according to the German practices of Jews from Bavaria. 15500 Stephen S Wise Dr. Los Angeles, California, 90077 310.476.8561. The sanctuary was completed and the synagogue was dedicated in 1972. One of the oldest synagogues in California, Sherith Israel, 1.. Photo about united, sherith, synagogues, israel, 1905, oldest, francisco, officially, consecrated . In 2005, the congregation commenced a seismic retrofit of the sanctuary, funded through an ambitious capital campaign. Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! In 1958, he graduated from Hebrew Union College with a degree in sacred music and received a certificate qualifying him to be a religious school administrator. However, the beautiful original synagogue was maintained, along with other historic buildings in what is now known as Heritage Park. Gold discovery leads to our founding", "Pioneering rabbis champion social justice", "Cantor Martin Feldman: Our beloved "sweet singer of Zion", J. He has been engaged with Israel through the years, speaking his mind as the situation in the Middle East has developed. Due to growing numbers, they constructed a new, larger synagogue and moved in 1926. Wittenberg, Germany Stocktons founder, Charles M. Weber, donated a lot where Stocktons first synagogue was built. Thats right you heard it right its FREE. [6], Not only did Rabbi Martin Weiner reinvigorate the congregation, attracting many new families and the newly defined cohort of singles to California Street, but he was also known for his quest for social justice and his activism on behalf of civil rights, human rights and Soviet Jewry. - See 861 traveler reviews, 629 candid photos, and great deals for Prague, Czech Republic, at Tripadvisor. As San Francisco boomed, keeping Sherith Israel housed proved a considerable challenge. After the Civil War, another generation arrived to seek its fortune in California. The structure is the first synagogue in Maryland and the third one in the US. The City of Stockton was founded in 1846. In 1849, small groups of Jewish immigrants, mostly from Germany, began arriving in the San Francisco area. Stockton was the main supplier of goods for mines between the Merced River and the Mokulumne River in CaliforniasGold Country. Temple Israel in Stockton may be the oldest Jewish Congregation in California and is one of the oldest west of the Mississippi. JANICE ARNOLD PHOTO. Temple Israel wasbuilt slowly, first with classrooms, then offices. We would love to hear from you. A number of prominent members of the Hollywood community were its members and contributed to its construction, most notably the Warner Brothers, who sponsored the temples magnificent murals. Cantor David Frommer became part of the Sherith Israel family on July 1, 2016. Rabbi Zeldin was still in Stockton inNovember 1945, when Temple Israelcelebrated its 90th anniversary. The Touro Synagogue or Congregation of Jeshuat Isreal " " is regarded as the oldest synagogue building in the United States still standing. San Francisco, California - April 28, 2018: Interior of Congregation Sherith Israel. It is always growing and changing.. He enjoys using a variety of methods to teach melodies and the Hebrew words that accompany them. U.S. & World California . Royalty-Free Stock Photo. Jewish-owned businesses closed for the holidays. Lloyd Street Synagogue was built in 1845 by two local architects, who were inspired by a Baptist church nearby. Our friends of Stockton, through Mr. A. He intervened in the Abe Ruef scandal, led relief efforts after the 1906 earthquake and fire, and defended labor organizer Thomas Mooney, wrongly convicted of an anarchist bombing in 1916. To have come home to be part of a wonderful team fashioning Judaism for the future of San Francisco is very exciting.. While leading the music program and engaging in a variety of clerical activities at Sherith Israel, he is excited to continue serving the soldiers of the California Army National Guard. In 1850, Hyman helped found the Hebrew Benevolent Society. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion. [6], Rabbi Jacob Nieto was the leading Bay Area rabbi of his day. He studied at the University of Melbourne, majoring in German and Music History with a Diploma of Modern Languages in French. The former Adas Israel Synagogue opened in 1876, with then-President Ulysses S. Grant attending the ceremony. By1851, Ryhim Ahoovim, a Jewish Bevevolent Society, had come into existence. Congregation Adat Yeshurun. He also will work with faith leaders on important issues affecting the lives of San Francisco residents as a board member of the San Francisco Interfaith Council. He also served as the president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and sat on the editorial committee for the Reform movements new prayerbook, Mishkan T'filah.[6][7]. Its congregation is also the oldest in Los Angeles, and can trace its roots to the first Jews how arrived in the area in 1851. While we are a White, Gentile, Protestant Organization, we are always glad to be of some service to our Brothers of the Jewish Faith. His style is always eclectic, but draws heavily on traditional prayer modes and Jewish chant with an emphasis on improvisation and innovation. In some ways, it is stronger. 2266, California Street, San Francisco, California, United States. These synagogues are not just mere buildings. The purpose of this article is to give you a brief overview of what this decision means and why it matters. In 1906, the Congregation joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. The occurrences referred to were the deaths of two Jewish inmates of the state mental hospital in Stockton and their interment in a gentile cemetery. Simon R. Rosenthal was elected as the new temples president, and the congregation decided to build a synagogue. c. Ostia is 32 km south west of Rome on the . By 1851, the Society had acquired a cemetery for Jewish pioneers. Sephardic Jews, a community originating from Spain and Portugal, built it in 1759. The lumber had to be shipped around Cape Horn since there were no sawmills in the area. One of the two oldest synagogue`s in California, 4.. Photo about people, jewish, 1850, francisco, merchants, oldest, emanuel, gold, synagogues, traders, core . Temple Israel of Stocktonwas completed and dedicated. After college, David volunteered for fifteen months as a combat soldier in the Nachal Infantry Division of the Israel Defense Forces, where he served with distinction in the West Bank. The book comes at a time of renewed interest in synagogue architecture representing various periods and persuasions in American Jewish life, Gertel writes, noting that Preislers efforts to chronicle what was achieved and prized by those who came before may provide a standard for the preservation of Jewish communities now and in the future. From Business: As part of the restored remnant of Israel through the Messiah Yeshua, and in fulfillment of Gods eternal, prophetic, providential plan at this appointed time,. It is vital that we document our built Jewish environment and share what we find, he says. Dedicated in 1763, Touro Synagogue served a thriving colonial Sephardic Jewish community, and stands today as a testament to principles of religious tolerance in America. Rabbi Raphael will also volunteer with the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center. Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates projects: This page was last edited on 1 October 2022, at 01:39. Its congregation is also the oldest in Los Angeles, and can trace its roots to the first Jews how arrived in the area in 1851. The Wilshire Boulevard Temple is the oldest synagogue in Los Angeles. By Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany - Sardis Synagogue, late 3rd century AD, Sardis, Lydia, Turkey, CC BY-SA 2.0. Rabbi Raphael shepherded the congregation from strength to strength during a time of generational change in San Francisco and the American Jewish world.