Isaac M. Wise Temple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isaac M. Wise Temple |
|
|---|---|
The Isaac M. Wise Temple, in 2006
|
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership |
|
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Plum Street:
|
| Country | United States |
 Location in Ohio
|
|
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | James Keys Wilson |
| Architectural type | Synagogue architecture |
| Architectural style |
|
| Date established | 1841 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1866 |
| Construction cost | $275,000 |
| Minaret(s) | Two |
The Isaac M. Wise Temple, also known as the Plum Street Temple, is a very old and important synagogue in Cincinnati, Ohio. It's a special place for Reform Judaism, a branch of the Jewish faith. The temple was named after Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, who helped start Reform Judaism in the United States.
This beautiful building was designed by a famous architect named James Keys Wilson. He was inspired by the Alhambra, a famous palace in Spain. The temple is located at 720 Plum Street in Cincinnati. It was mostly built during the American Civil War and cost about $275,000.
The temple opened on August 24, 1866. It is one of the oldest synagogue buildings in the country. In 1972, the Plum Street Temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Later, in 1975, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This was because of its unique architecture and its big role in the Reform Jewish movement. In 1976, the congregation also opened a new center in Amberley Village.
Contents
A Look Back: The Temple's History
Starting the Congregation
In 1840, a group of Jewish immigrants from Germany living in Cincinnati decided to form their own congregation. They called it K.K. B'nai Yeshurun. Their first worship space was in a home on Third Street. In 1841, they bought and fixed up a four-story brick house on Lodge Street to use as their house of worship.
The First Synagogue Building
The congregation built its first synagogue building in 1848. It was on Lodge Street and was designed in the Gothic Revival style. This building, known as the Lodge Street Synagogue, was dedicated on September 22, 1848.
Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise's Influence
In 1853, the congregation chose Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise to be their spiritual leader. He was a very energetic and visionary person. Because of him, the congregation and Cincinnati quickly became a major center for Jewish life in the United States.
The congregation, which had about 200 families, dreamed of building a grand new temple. They started building the Plum Street Temple in 1865. Even though it was during the Civil War, they spent $275,000 to build it. The Plum Street Temple was officially opened on August 24, 1866.
Important Leaders and Events
After Rabbi Wise, Louis Grossmann became the Temple's rabbi, serving from 1898 to 1922. Later, James G. Heller was the rabbi from 1920 to 1952.
A very important event happened at the Plum Street Temple in 1972. Sally Priesand was ordained there. This meant she became the first female rabbi to be officially recognized by a rabbinical school in the United States. She was also the second formally ordained female rabbi in Jewish history.
Landmark Status and Expansion
The Plum Street Temple was recognized for its historical importance in 1972. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Then, in 1975, it was given the even higher honor of being a National Historic Landmark. In 1976, the congregation opened a new building called the Isaac M. Wise Center in Amberley Village. This new center includes a synagogue, a community center, and a school.
Gallery
-
Postcard of St. Paul Episcopal Cathedral (razed 1937) and Plum Street Temple
-
Isaac M. Wise, rabbi of the Plum Street Temple
See also
- List of Cincinnati Local Historic Landmarks
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Ohio
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Cincinnati
- Oldest synagogues in the United States
