Temple Beth Israel (Danielson, Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temple Beth Israel |
|
|---|---|
The synagogue in 2014
|
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation |
|
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status |
|
| Ownership | Temple Beth Israel Preservation Society |
| Status |
|
| Location | |
| Location | 39 Killingly Drive, Danielson, Connecticut 06239 |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Connecticut
|
|
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) |
|
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Modernist |
| Date established | unknown (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1961 |
Temple Beth Israel is a special building in Danielson, Connecticut. It used to be a synagogue, which is a place of worship for people of the Jewish faith. This building was home to both Orthodox and Conservative Jewish groups.
The synagogue was built between 1951 and 1961. It was designed by an architect named William Riseman. It's one of the first buildings in Connecticut to use a Modernist style for a synagogue. Many people who helped build it were survivors of The Holocaust. The building was officially opened on June 5, 1961.
In 2013, Temple Beth Israel was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site. Since 2009, a non-profit group has taken care of the building. They use it as a center to teach people about history and culture.
Building Design and History
Temple Beth Israel is in a neighborhood near Danielson's main business area. It's a two-story building. It's mostly made of concrete and covered with fieldstone. The roof is wide and sloped, with parts of the roof structure showing.
The upper floor has rows of windows on three sides. The bottom floor has a meeting area and other rooms. The main worship area, called the sanctuary, is on the top floor.
How the Temple Started
After World War II, only a few Jewish families lived in Danielson. They held religious gatherings in their homes. Then, many Holocaust survivors came to Danielson after the war. They were helped by a charity called the Jewish Agriculture Association. This group was started by Baron Maurice de Hirsch, a kind Jewish helper.
The Jewish families already living there and the new arrivals worked together. They decided to build a temple. Mary Riseman, from nearby Brooklyn, donated stones for the building. Her son, William Riseman, was an interior decorator. He offered to design the building for free.
Construction began in 1951. At first, services were held in the basement while more money was raised. The building was officially finished and dedicated in 1961. This synagogue is special because it was one of the first in Connecticut to use the Modernist style.
Changes Over Time
The congregation included both Orthodox and Conservative Jewish people. Traveling rabbis, often students, usually led their services. Over the years, the number of members slowly became smaller. This happened as people got older or moved away.
In 2003, the Temple Beth Israel group joined with another group in Putnam. They formed a new congregation called B'nai Shalom. In 2008, this new group decided they no longer needed the Danielson building.
A new group was formed to save the building. This group is called the Temple Beth Israel Preservation Society. They have turned the building into a cultural and historical center. Their goal is to keep alive the history of Jewish people in the area.
See also
