Temple Beth-El (Hornell, New York) facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids Religion |
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| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism (former) |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Status | Closed (c. 2014) |
| Location | |
| Location | 12 Church Street, Hornell, New York |
| Country | United States |
 Location in New York
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| Architecture | |
| Date established | 1946 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1946 |
Temple Beth-El was a Jewish synagogue located in Hornell, New York. It was built in 1946 and started as an Orthodox Jewish place of worship. For a short time in the 1960s, it also operated as a Conservative congregation.
In February 2016, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
About the Building
This building shows how Jewish communities settled in small towns across New York. It highlights the important impact this group had on the local community. Before this synagogue was built, the Jewish community in Hornell met in homes. Later, they used a Jewish center in a downtown building.
After World War II, the community needed a bigger place. They gathered their money and built their own synagogue. They named it Temple Beth-El. It was built near the center of Hornell, close to other churches. The synagogue was officially opened in 1947. The only major change to the building was a new roof and ceiling in 1976. The synagogue showed that the Jewish community was a strong part of Hornell.
Temple Beth-El's History
In 1950, Rabbi Harry Zwick led the congregation. The main leaders included Isadore Spitulnik as president and Louis Eisenberg MD as vice-president.
Temple Beth-El faced challenges when Hornell's main industry, the Erie Railroad's repair shops, closed in 1960. This caused many people to leave Hornell. Because of this, the synagogue could no longer afford a full-time rabbi. By 2014, the synagogue was no longer active.
In 2010, the building was vandalized with graffiti. In July 2022, some people were found to have spread hateful symbols near the synagogue and other places of worship. They were held responsible for their actions. This showed that the community stood against hate and worked to keep everyone safe.
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