Temple De Hirsch Sinai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temple De Hirsch Sinai |
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The Alhadeff Sanctuary of Temple De Hirsch Sinai, in Seattle.
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Daniel Weiner |
| Status | Active |
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Temple De Hirsch Sinai is a large Reform Jewish community with two main buildings, called synagogues. One is in Seattle, and the other is in Bellevue, both in Washington state. This community was created in 1971 when two older groups, Temple De Hirsch (from Seattle, started in 1899) and Temple Sinai (from Bellevue, started in 1961), joined together. It is now the biggest Reform Jewish community in the Pacific Northwest.
An older building of Temple De Hirsch was once a very important historical place. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, it was taken down in 1993. A small part of its front wall still remains today.
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History of Temple De Hirsch
When a Jewish group in Seattle called Ohaveth Sholum closed in 1893, many liberal Jewish people in the city needed a new place to worship. So, in 1899, Temple De Hirsch was started. It was named after a kind Jewish helper named Baron Maurice de Hirsch.
Building the First Synagogue
Work began on a synagogue building in Seattle in 1901. A special stone, called a cornerstone, was laid. The community used the basement for services while they built. But the group grew very quickly. This meant they needed an even bigger building. So, they decided to build a new, larger synagogue.
The new Temple De Hirsch was designed by an architect named Julian F. Everett. Construction started in 1907 and finished in 1908. The building was officially opened on May 29, 1908. Later, in 1924, a Temple Center opened next door. This center had a religious school and other groups. An extra part was added to it in 1951.
This original temple building was taken down in 1993. People tried to save it and use it for arts events, but it didn't work out. However, their efforts did help save another old church building in Seattle, which is now Town Hall Seattle.
The Current Seattle Building
The main worship hall used today in Seattle was finished in 1960. It is on the same block as the old temple. This building was designed by B. Marcus Priteca, John Detlie, and John Peck. Priteca was famous for designing theaters. He also designed another important synagogue in Seattle, Chevra Bikur Cholim, which is now the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center.
Community Groups
Soon after Temple De Hirsch started, a Ladies Auxiliary group was formed. This group is now called the Women of Reform Judaism. In 1920, a Temple Men's Club was also created, which is now known as the Men of Reform Judaism.
Important Rabbis
The first rabbi of Temple De Hirsch was Theodore Joseph. His replacement, Samuel Koch, was the main rabbi from 1906 to 1942. During Rabbi Koch's time, Temple De Hirsch became a very important and growing community. Its religious school was popular, even for children whose parents were not Reform Jews. In 1909, Rabbi Koch started a newsletter called Temple Tidings.
After Rabbi Koch retired, Raphael H. Levine became the main rabbi from 1942 to 1970. Rabbi Levine believed in bringing different religions together. He hosted a TV show called Challenge with a Catholic priest and a Protestant minister. This show was on TV for 14 years. Rabbi Levine also started other groups and camps to help people from different faiths learn from each other. He also helped expand Children's Orthopedic Hospital, which is now Seattle Children's.
Rabbi Levine's replacement was Earl S. Starr, who became the main rabbi in 1970. He helped bring the two communities, Temple De Hirsch and Temple Sinai, together. Rabbi Starr remained the main rabbi of Temple De Hirsch Sinai until 2001. Like the rabbis before him, he worked hard to serve the community.
Music and Famous Connections
Temple De Hirsch has some interesting connections to music history. Samuel E. Goldfarb, who helped write the famous Hanukkah song "I Have a Little Dreidel", was the music director at Temple De Hirsch from 1930 to 1968. He created one of the best temple choirs in the country.
Even more surprisingly, the famous musician Jimi Hendrix played his very first professional music show in the basement of Temple De Hirsch. However, he was asked to stop playing during the performance because his style was too wild!
Current Campuses
Temple De Hirsch Sinai kept both the Temple De Hirsch building (now its "Seattle Campus") and the Temple Sinai building (its "Bellevue campus"). The original Bellevue building was sold in 2001. A new building for the Bellevue campus was built in the Eastgate area of Bellevue that same year. Rabbi Starr retired in July 2001, and Rabbi Daniel A. Weiner became the new main rabbi. He still holds this position today. The Seattle building shares its space with a local private school, the Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Bellevue building shares its space with the Emerald Heights Academy.
Temple Libraries
The Temple De Hirsch Sinai Libraries started in 1908. They offer a lot of information for the community. Both the Seattle and Bellevue locations have over 10,000 books, magazines, and CDs. They specialize in materials about Judaism, history, culture, holidays, and the Holocaust. About one-third of the library collection is for children and teens. This part is called the Benjamin Zukor Children's Library and is available at both locations.
Images for kids
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This Jewish New Year card, from around 1908, shows the original Temple De Hirsch building. Even though it was a historical landmark, it was taken down in 1993.
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What was left of the old temple in 2008.
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This beautiful stained glass window shows Moses with the Tablets. It was saved from the 1908 Temple De Hirsch and is now in the Schoenfeld-Gardner Chapel in Seattle.
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The Temple De Hirsch Sinai Bellevue campus in 2009.
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Inside the Home of Peace Mausoleum, a burial place at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Queen Anne Hill, Seattle, Washington.
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