Temple B'Nai Israel (Jackson, Tennessee)

Congregation B'nai Israel is a historic synagogue at 401 W. Grand Street in Jackson, Tennessee, housing a Reform Jewish congregation.

For similarly named synagogues, see B'nai Israel.
Congregation B'nai Israel
Location401 W. Grand St., Jackson, Tennessee
Coordinates35.62749°N 88.82451°W / 35.62749; -88.82451
Arealess than one acre
Built1941
ArchitectCarl Heyer
Architectural styleRomanesque
NRHP reference No.08000687[1]
Added to NRHPJuly 16, 2008

The B'nai Israel congregation was chartered in 1885. In its early years, the congregation conducted services in some of homes of its members and in a hall above M. Tuchfeld's store (more recently known as Kisber's Department Store). The congregation moved into its first permanent home in 1897 when it acquired the former Cumberland Presbyterian Church building on College Street and rededicated it for Jewish worship.[2] In 1907 the congregation chose to affiliate with Reform Judaism, becoming a member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.[3]

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church building, continued to serve as the congregation's place of worship until 1941, when the current temple building was completed. Construction of the new building was funded with money accumulated in a building fund that had been started in 1924. The building was designed by Memphis architect Carl Heyer and constructed by Jackson building contractor Hubert Owen. Pews from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church building were installed in the new building; these pews are still in use. Classrooms were added to the building in 1962.[2]

The temple was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.[2]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "Our History". Temple B'Nai Israel. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  3. "Jackson, Tennessee". Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities. Goldring-Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
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