Temple B'nai Israel (Tupelo, Mississippi)

Temple B'nai Israel is a synagogue in Tupelo, Mississippi, established in 1939, composed of Jews, ranging from Reform Judaism to Orthodox Judaism.[1][2][3]

For similarly named synagogues, see B'nai Israel.
Temple B'nai Israel
Religion
AffiliationJudaism
LeadershipLeslie Mart; President
Location
LocationTupelo, Mississippi
CountryUnited States
Architecture
Completed1957 (1957)
Website
shalomtupelo.org

History

Tupelo, Mississippi, had only 20 Jewish residents at the beginning of the Great Depression, out of 20,000 total residents.[4]

Temple B'nai Israel in Tupelo was established on August 24, 1939, with Sol Weiner as its first President.[5] The congregation first met in Tupelo City Hall.[4][2][6] In 1945, the congregation added a holy ark, and was given its first Torah by the Vine Street Temple in Nashville, Tennessee.[7] It later rented space on South Spring Street above the Fooks' Chevrolet dealership.[4] In 1949, a student rabbi from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio, conducted Temple services for the high holidays.[7] In 1953, it moved to space over Biggs Furniture Store.[6][7]

A synagogue building was dedicated on September 1, 1957, with then-Mayor James Ballard giving the remarks.[6] The building was funded by Manny Davis, an Okolona sportswear manufacturing businessman, local banks, manufacturing companies, and other businesses, the local community, Jews from across the nation, and 41 percent by Gentiles.[6][7]

Leadership and congregants

Due to its modest size, the Temple does not have a full-time rabbi, and instead uses a lay leader.[8] Maury Stein was a lay leader of the congregation in the 1960s.[2] Marc Perler has served as a lay leader of the synagogue.[5][9] In 2011, Mississippi State University Bulldog broadcaster Jack Cristil was the lay leader of the congregation.[2][9][10]

As of 1955 Maurice Stein (who owned a dress shop on Main Street) was president of the synagogue, Len Shane and Linda Levy were later president of the temple, and as of 2020 Leslie Mart was president of Temple B’Nai Israel.[1][11][12][13][14][7] Ron Baker serves as its Director of Religious Education.[1][11][13][14][7] Gloria Lenhoff, who has Williams Syndrome (which among other things produces an aptitude for music), has served as the cantor of the Temple.[15] Alan Mark Bank, Tupelo's 2010 Outstanding Citizen of the Year, was an active member of the Temple.[16][17] In 2020, about 35 families were active in the synagogue.[2][6]

References
  1. "About Us". Temple B'nai Israel.
  2. Sid Salter (2015). Jack Cristil; Voice of the MSU Bulldogs, University Press of Mississippi, Revised Edition.
  3. Ginna Parsons (March 20, 2019). "Feast of Purim: Tupelo temple invites community to potluck celebration". Daily Journal.
  4. Richelle Putnam (2017). Mississippi and the Great Depression, History Press.
  5. Vicki Reikes Fox, Marcie Cohen Ferris (2002). Shalom Y'All; Images of Jewish Life in the American South, Algonquin Books.
  6. Leesha Faulkner (January 18, 2020). "Tupelo's Jewish community thrived". Daily Journal.
  7. "Tupelo, Mississippi". Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities. Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. 2020.
  8. William Moore (October 29, 2018). "Area Jewish community reacts to Pittsburgh shooting". Daily Journal.
  9. Bonner, Michael (September 8, 2014). "Jack Cristil funeral services to be held Sept. 10 in Tupelo". The Clarion-Ledger.
  10. Wimbley, Lacretia (September 8, 2014). "Remembering Jack Cristil: 'Wrap it in Maroon and White'". The Reflector.
  11. Alden Pink (November 26, 2018). "Mississippi's Tiny Jewish Community Makes Choice In 2018's Last Election". The Forward.
  12. "Leonard Shane 1941 - 2017 - Obituary". The Register-Mail. July 22, 2017.
  13. Cristina Carreon (May 4, 2019). "Tupelo synagogue holds memorial for victims of California shooting". Daily Journal.
  14. David Pannell (March 2, 2019). "Mooreville man's conversion from Christianity to Judaism like homecoming". Daily Journal.
  15. Samuel Silver (July 16, 2003). "Milk, Honey & Vinegar; Writer mixes old lore, modern wit". Jewish Post.
  16. Representative Turner (2010). "House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi Resolution No. 44A; Resolution Commending and Congratulating Alan Mark Bank upon being named Tupelo's Outstanding Citizen of the Year," Mississippi House of Representatives.
  17. Elkins, Chris (February 13, 2010). "Bank named Tupelo's Outstanding Citizen of the Year". Daily Journal.

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