B'nai Israel Synagogue (Council Bluffs, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids B'nai Israel Synagogue |
|
|---|---|
B'nai Israel Synagogue, in 2012
|
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Rite |
|
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue and museum |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 618 Mynster Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Iowa
|
|
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Jocheis Chris Jensen |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and early 20th century American Movements |
| Completed | January 11, 1931 |
B'nai Israel Synagogue is a special Jewish house of worship located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the United States. It's also recognized as a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Its original name was Chevra B'nai Yisroel Synagogue.
Contents
History of B'nai Israel Synagogue
Early Years: A Community Forms (1881-1949)
The first Jewish community in Council Bluffs started in 1881. It was an Orthodox group called Bikur Cholim. They had 25 founding members. At first, they didn't have a rabbi or their own building. Services were held in rented places.
In 1903, a new group called Chevra B’nai Yisroel Congregation was formed. It had 14 adult male members. The next year, they bought the land where the synagogue stands today. They built a wooden synagogue building there.
On March 5, 1930, a fire sadly destroyed the wooden building. But the members were quick to act! They saved the Torah (sacred scrolls) and other important religious items. A committee was quickly formed to plan a new synagogue. J. Chris Jensen, an architect, was chosen to design the new building. The special cornerstone from the old synagogue was found and used again. It had a new message carved into it for the new building. The new synagogue was finished on January 11, 1931. It was built to hold 500 people.
Changes Over Time: New Ways to Worship (1950-1999)
In the 1950s and 1960s, the congregation kept growing. They decided to change from Orthodox to Conservative Judaism. This meant some things changed in their services. For example, English was now used more often. Also, men and women could now sit together during services. Before, women and children sat separately in the balcony. In November 1953, the congregation officially changed its name to B'nai Israel.
In the early 1960s, an architect named I.T. Carrithers designed an addition to the building. This was meant to add more space. Only the back part of the addition was built.
Soon after the addition, the number of members started to go down. By 1980, there were talks about closing the congregation and selling the building. However, the members were determined to keep it going! They worked hard to find new members. In 1989, Rabbi Sharon Steifel became the first Reconstructionist rabbi at B'nai Israel.
Today: A Welcoming Place (21st Century)
In the 21st century, the synagogue no longer has a full-time rabbi. It also isn't officially connected to a specific Jewish movement anymore. It holds one service each month. People from Council Bluffs and even from other Jewish groups in nearby Omaha come to these services. Many people who used to live in Council Bluffs still support B'nai Israel. They value its continued operation as a special place.
Architecture of B'nai Israel Synagogue
The outside of the synagogue is covered in colorful, rough-textured brick. The top of the building has classical decorations and a metal cornice (a decorative molding). The building sits on a raised basement. You reach the three main doorways by walking up concrete steps. Above the doors, you can see special panels. These panels have the Star of David and the Ten Commandments written in Hebrew.
Inside, the synagogue has two stories. There's a balcony, which was made smaller during a renovation in the 1960s. The congregation has seven Torah scrolls. Two of these were bravely saved from the 1930 fire! The Ark, which holds the Torah scrolls, is made of dark wood panels. It has classical pilasters (flat, decorative columns). Doors with slats lead to the cabinet where the sacred scrolls are kept.
