B'Nai Zion Temple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids B'Nai Zion Temple |
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B'Nai Zion Temple, in 2015
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 802 Cotton Street, Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Shreveport Downtown
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Edward F. Neild & Clarence Olschner |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| Date established | 1861 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1915 |
The B'Nai Zion Temple is a very old and important Jewish temple. It is located in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana. This beautiful building was constructed in 1914 and opened its doors in 1915. It has a rich history for the Jewish community in Shreveport.
Contents
History of the Temple
The Start of a Community
The Jewish community in Shreveport began very small in the late 1840s. By 1857, a small group of Jewish people had formed a congregation. A congregation is a group of people who gather for religious worship. They met in one of their homes. Their leader was a Rabbi named Julius Lewin. A Rabbi is a Jewish religious leader.
In 1861, this group chose the name Har-el. They started holding their services in the home of a local Jewish businessman. Most members of this group followed the Reform Judaism tradition. Reform Judaism is a way of practicing Judaism that often adapts old traditions to modern life. After the American Civil War ended, the group changed its name again to Hebrew Zion.
Building a Place of Worship
In 1869, the congregation built its very first worship place on Fannin Street. In 1875, there was a disagreement about religious traditions. This caused the congregation to split into two groups. A new Orthodox congregation was formed. However, this split did not last long. In 1877, the two groups came back together. They agreed to follow the Reform tradition of Judaism.
By 1910, the Fannin Street building was too small. The Hebrew Zion congregation had over 150 members. So, they started making plans to build a new temple. In 1915, the new building was finished. It was designed in the Beaux-Arts style. This is a grand and formal style of architecture. When the new building opened, the congregation was renamed B'Nai Zion. People thought the building was "an architectural gem and an ornament to the city." After World War II, the temple had more than 300 members.
A New Home and Preservation
In 1955, the congregation moved to an even newer building on Southfield Road. By 1962, their membership had grown to over 400 people. After the congregation moved, the old B'Nai Zion Temple building was sold to the Knights of Columbus.
In 1993, a private historical group bought the building. They wanted to save it because of its beautiful architecture. Today, the historic building is empty. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. The building also became part of the Shreveport Commercial Historic District in 1997.
See also
