Temple of Israel (Wilmington, North Carolina)
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The Temple of Israel is a Jewish house of prayer on the corner of Fourth and Market streets in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. Built in 1876, the Temple of Israel is the oldest synagogue in North Carolina and one of the earliest Reform synagogues in the South.[1][2] Temple of Israel is led by Rabbi Harley Karz-Wagman.[3]
Sephardic Jews first arrived in North Carolina during the early 18th century.[2] By 1852, a Jewish Burial Society was formed in Wilmington with a Hebrew Cemetery opening in 1855.[4] An Orthodox Jewish congregation was formed in 1867, but did not succeed. In 1872, a Reform congregation was started by German Jews and their synagogue, the Temple of Israel, was dedicated on May 12, 1876.[2][5]
The Temple of Israel's architecture is a combination of Greek Revival and Moorish. The Moorish architecture is unique in the city of Wilmington, but was common during late 19th century for many American synogogues. The synagogue features horseshoe arches and twin towers topped with golden onion domes.[6][2] The building's exterior was restored in 1982 and once again in 2000.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Prose, Francine (1993-03-07). "A Sojourn On Cape Fear". New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ a b c d Chiat, Marilyn (1997), America's Religious Architecture: Sacred Places for Every Community, John Wiley & Sons, pp. 251, ISBN 0471145025
- ^ Scherr, Andy (1993-03-07). "Passover is here". WWAY. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
- ^ Watson, Alan (2003), Wilmington, North Carolina, to 1861, McFarland, pp. 154, ISBN 0786414278
- ^ a b "Overview". Temple of Israel. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ Hutteman, Anne (2000), Wilmington, North Carolina, Arcadia Publishing, pp. 75, ISBN 0738506397
