Temple Sinai (Sumter, South Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temple Sinai |
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Temple Sinai in 2014
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Lay led |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 11-13 Church Street, Sumter, South Carolina 29150 |
| Country | United States |
 Location in South Carolina
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| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Moorish Revival |
| Date established | 1895 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1912 |
| Materials | Brick |
Temple Sinai, also known as Congregation Sinai, is a historic Jewish place of worship. Its official name is the Sumter Society of Israelites. This synagogue is located in Sumter, South Carolina, in the United States.
The building was finished in 1912. It is made of brick and built in the Moorish Revival style. Temple Sinai was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 21, 1999. It is also home to the Temple Sinai Jewish History Center, which opened in June 2018.
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A Look at Temple Sinai's Past
The first Jewish families arrived in Sumter in 1815. They came from Charleston, South Carolina. The group that would become Congregation Sinai was officially formed in April 1895. This happened when two earlier groups, the Hebrew Cemetery Society and the Sumter Hebrew Benevolent Society, joined together.
At first, rabbis from Charleston and Augusta, Georgia, would visit to lead services. Then, in 1904, Rabbi Jacob Klein moved to Sumter. The main part of the temple, called the sanctuary, was built in 1912. It faces Church Street and replaced an older wooden synagogue that was on the same spot.
Expanding the Temple Buildings
The Barnett Memorial Addition was built in 1932. This part is a two-story brick building. It has an auditorium, a banquet hall, classrooms, and offices. It faces West Hampton Avenue and matches the style of the main sanctuary.
In 1956, the Hyman Brody Building was added. This one-story brick building is attached to the back of the Barnett Memorial Addition. It has a kitchen, more classrooms, offices, and restrooms. Even though it is simpler, it still has some Moorish design elements.
The old records and important papers from Temple Sinai have been given to the Jewish Heritage Collection. This collection is at the College of Charleston.
Beautiful Stained Glass Windows
Temple Sinai is famous for its eleven beautiful stained glass windows. These windows are on the sides and at the entrance of the building. They show scenes from the Tanakh, which is the Hebrew Bible.
Most of the windows are about 5 feet wide and 20 feet tall (1.5 by 6.1 meters). They are shaped like the castle-like towers that stand on either side of the entrance. There is also one round window high above the main entrance.
Temple Sinai Today
Temple Sinai has made agreements with other groups to help care for its cemetery and the temple building. These groups include the Coastal Community Foundation, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, and the Charleston Jewish Federation. These partnerships help make sure the temple will continue to be active for a long time.
In 2015, Temple Sinai also teamed up with the Sumter County Museum. Together, they created a special exhibit about Jewish history in South Carolina and in Sumter. The museum also has a section about the Holocaust and how Sumter was connected to it. This exhibit opened to the public on June 2, 2018.
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