Temple Israel (Memphis, Tennessee)
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Temple Israel is a
Reform Jewish Reform Judaism, also known as Liberal Judaism or Progressive Judaism, is a major Jewish denomination that emphasizes the evolving nature of Judaism, the superiority of its ethical aspects to its ceremonial ones, and belief in a continuous searc ...
congregation in
Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-mos ...
, in the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
. It is the only Reform
synagogue A synagogue, ', 'house of assembly', or ', "house of prayer"; Yiddish: ''shul'', Ladino: or ' (from synagogue); or ', "community". sometimes referred to as shul, and interchangeably used with the word temple, is a Jewish house of worshi ...
in Memphis, the oldest and largest Jewish congregation in Tennessee, and one of the largest Reform congregations in the U.S. It was founded in 1853 by mostly
German Jews The history of the Jews in Germany goes back at least to the year 321, and continued through the Early Middle Ages (5th to 10th centuries CE) and High Middle Ages (''circa'' 1000–1299 CE) when Jewish immigrants founded the Ashkenazi Jewish ...
as Congregation B'nai Israel (Hebrew for "Children of Israel"). Led initially by
cantors A cantor or chanter is a person who leads people in singing or sometimes in prayer. In formal Jewish worship, a cantor is a person who sings solo verses or passages to which the choir or congregation responds. In Judaism, a cantor sings and lead ...
, in 1858 it hired its first
rabbi A rabbi () is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi – known as ''semikha'' – following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of ...
, Jacob Peres, and leased its first building, which it renovated and eventually purchased. Peres was fired in 1860 because he opened a store that conducted business on Saturdays, the
Jewish Sabbath Shabbat (, , or ; he, שַׁבָּת, Šabbāṯ, , ) or the Sabbath (), also called Shabbos (, ) by Ashkenazim, is Judaism's day of rest on the seventh day of the week—i.e., Saturday. On this day, religious Jews remember the biblical storie ...
. He was replaced by Simon Tuska, who moved the congregation from
Orthodox Orthodox, Orthodoxy, or Orthodoxism may refer to: Religion * Orthodoxy, adherence to accepted norms, more specifically adherence to creeds, especially within Christianity and Judaism, but also less commonly in non-Abrahamic religions like Neo-pa ...
to Reform practices. Tuska died in 1871, and was succeeded by Max Samfield; under his leadership, the synagogue was one of the founding members of the
Union for Reform Judaism The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) until 2003, founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the congregational arm of Reform Judaism in North America. The other two arms established ...
. In 1884, Children of Israel completed a new building, and membership grew rapidly. Samfield died in 1915, and was succeeded by Bill Fineshriber, an outspoken supporter of
women's suffrage Women's suffrage is the right of women to vote in elections. Beginning in the start of the 18th century, some people sought to change voting laws to allow women to vote. Liberal political parties would go on to grant women the right to vot ...
and equal rights for African Americans. The following year the congregation moved to a new building, where membership continued to grow. Fineshriber left in 1924, and was succeeded by Harry Ettelson. The synagogue experienced difficulty during the
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—membership dropped, the congregational school was closed, and staff had their salaries reduced—but conditions had improved by the late 1930s. In 1943 the synagogue changed its name to Temple Israel, and by the late 1940s membership had almost doubled from its low point in the 1930s. Ettelson retired in 1954, and was succeeded by Jimmy Wax. Wax became known for his activism during the
Civil Rights Movement The civil rights movement was a nonviolent social and political movement and campaign from 1954 to 1968 in the United States to abolish legalized institutional Racial segregation in the United States, racial segregation, Racial discrimination ...
. Though some members—particularly those whose families had lived in the South for generations—had segregationist views, others were prominent in the fight for black civil rights. During Wax's tenure, most of Temple Israel's members moved far from the existing synagogue, and in 1976 the congregation constructed its current building, closer to where most members lived. Wax retired in 1978, and was succeeded by Harry Danziger, who brought traditional practices back to the congregation. He retired in 2000, and was succeeded by Micah Greenstein. , Temple Israel has almost 1,450 member families. Greenstein is the Senior Rabbi, and the cantorial soloist is Happie Hoffman.


Early history (1853–1857)

Temple Israel was established as the Orthodox Congregation B'nai Israel in 1853 by 36 heads of families, and granted a charter by the state legislature on , 1854. Lewis (1998), p. 24. "Congregation Children of Israel", Jewish American Society for History Preservation website; ''Jewish Living of the South'', Vol. 1, No. 10, pp. 8–9. It grew out of Memphis's Hebrew Benevolent Society, established in 1850 by German Jews. The Benevolent Society managed Memphis's Jewish cemetery, supported poor Jews, and conducted
High Holy Day The High Holidays also known as the High Holy Days, or Days of Awe in Judaism, more properly known as the Yamim Noraim ( he, יָמִים נוֹרָאִים, ''Yāmīm Nōrāʾīm''; "Days of Awe") #strictly, the holidays of Rosh HaShanah ("Jew ...
services Service may refer to: Activities * Administrative service, a required part of the workload of university faculty * Civil service, the body of employees of a government * Community service, volunteer service for the benefit of a community or a p ...
. Lewis (1998), p. 9. The congregation was initially led by part-time cantors. Ringel (2004), p. 4. The first was Jonas Levy, who had been hired as cantor and ritual slaughterer. Lewis (1998), p. 9, Ringel (2004), p. 3; Adler & Samfield (1904), pp. 463–464. Levy was succeeded by H. Judah and then J. Sternheimer. A
Hebrew school Hebrew school is Jewish education focusing on topics of Jewish history, learning the Hebrew language, and finally learning their Torah Portion, in preparation for the ceremony in Judaism of entering adulthood, known as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Hebr ...
was also created, directed by Sternheimer. Adler & Samfield (1904), pp. 463–464 write that the "Reverend L. Sternheimer" was the first director of the Hebrew school. Lewis (1998), p. 10; Ringel (2004), p. 4 write that Jacob Peres established the school. In 1857, B'nai Israel hired as organist Christopher Philip Winkler, described by Tim Sharp (Dean of Fine Arts at
Rhodes College Rhodes College is a private liberal arts college in Memphis, Tennessee. Historically affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), it is a member of the Associated Colleges of the South and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges a ...
in Memphis) as the "Dean of Memphis Musicians". Born in Germany in 1824, he had emigrated to the United States at age 16, and moved to Memphis in 1854. There he taught music, performed, and composed works for B'nai Israel's services; by 1894 he had completed over 850 pieces for the congregation. Sharp (2007), pp. 22–24. In its first decades, the congregation worshiped in various locations in downtown Memphis, near the
Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system in North America, second only to the Hudson Bay drainage system. From its traditional source of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, it f ...
waterfront. It received a $2,000 (today $) bequest from the estate of New Orleans philanthropist
Judah Touro Judah Touro (June 16, 1775 – January 18, 1854) was an American businessman and philanthropist. Early life and career Touro's father Isaac Touro of Holland was chosen as the hazzan at the Touro Synagogue in 1762, a Portuguese Sephardic congre ...
, and used it to purchase a lot on Second Street, but did not feel financially secure enough to build a synagogue, and eventually sold the property. Adler & Samfield (1904), pp. 463–464, History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006), Ringel (2004), p. 3. The congregation instead held services in members' homes in 1853, and subsequently (until 1857) rented various premises on Front Street. Lewis (1998), p. 9; Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 337; Ringel (2004), p. 3. The Touro funds eventually enabled the members to lease the Farmers and Merchants Bank building at Main and Exchange streets in late 1857, which they converted to a synagogue. Ringel (2004), p. 3. Lewis (1998), p. 9; Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 337 call it the Merchant and Farmers Bank building, and state it was leased in 1858. Adler & Samfield (1904), pp. 463–464 describe it as "The Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank" and state that it was dedicated on , 1858. Funds for the renovation were raised by two committees; one solicited donations from "all the Israelites in this city", while the other's task was "to receive subscriptions from Gentiles". Additional funds were raised by selling members reserved seats in the new sanctuary. An auction was held on , 1858, in which 50 men's seats were sold for $343 (today $), and 44 women's seats for $158 (today $). The renovated premises had seating for 150 men and approximately 50 women. Ringel (2004), p. 3; Lewis (1998), p. 9 states the women's section had seating for 46. In 1860, the congregation contracted to purchase the property; by 1865, it owned it outright and was debt-free. Lewis (1998), p. 9. Ringel (2004), p. 16 states the mortgage was paid off in . On , 2007, 153 years to the day after the congregation received its charter from the State of Tennessee, a historical marker was erected by the Shelby County Historical Commission, the
Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (JASHP) is an American non-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer historical society. The society locates sites of American and Jewish historical interest and importance. It works with local community org ...
, and Temple Israel, on the corner where the synagogue had once stood. It described the building as the "First Permanent Jewish House of Worship in Tennessee". Ringel (2004), p. 3. Membership in B'nai Israel was restricted to men, and attendance at the (at least) quarterly meetings was mandatory. Men who missed a meeting without a reasonable excuse were fined. Ringel (2004), pp. 3–4. In 1857 the fine was $0.50 (today $). The members also instituted rules intended to guard the image of the small Jewish congregation in the eyes of the much larger Christian community. New members had to be approved by a secret ballot, and existing members could blackball candidates. A member could also be suspended or expelled if he acted in a disreputable manner. B'nai Israel was the only Jewish congregation in Memphis, and from the time it was established members were split between traditionalists and reformers. Lewis (1998), p. 10. When remodeling their new building, the congregation voted eighteen to fourteen to maintain traditional separate seating for men and women. History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). By 1858, with enough funds to hire a full-time spiritual leader, they consulted Rabbi
Isaac Leeser Isaac Leeser (December 12, 1806 – February 1, 1868) was an American Orthodox Jewish religious leader, teacher, scholar and publisher. He helped found the Jewish press of America, produced the first Jewish translation of the Bible into English, ...
, the leader of America's Orthodox Jewish community, but were also in contact with Rabbi
Isaac Mayer Wise Isaac Mayer Wise (29 March 1819, Lomnička – 26 March 1900, Cincinnati) was an American Reform rabbi, editor, and author. At his death he was called "the foremost rabbi in America". Early life Wise was born on 29 March 1819 in Steingrub in B ...
, the leader of America's fledgling Reform movement, who had dedicated B'nai Israel's sanctuary earlier that year.For accumulating enough funds, see Ringel (2004), p. 4. For consulting with both Leeser and Wise, see Lewis (1998), pp. 9–10. The members had advertised for their first spiritual leader in Wise's newspaper, ''
The Israelite ''The American Israelite'' is an English-language Jewish newspaper published weekly in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1854 as ''The Israelite'' and assuming its present name in 1874, it is the longest-running English-language Jewish newspaper stil ...
'' (along with other English-language Jewish newspapers) at the same time they advertised for a kosher butcher. Leeser recommended Jacob J. Peres, an Orthodox rabbi. Lewis (1998), pp. 9–10, Ringel (2004), p. 4.


Peres era (1858–1860)

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Peres had been a child prodigy who, before turning eighteen, had edited a Hebrew grammar, as well as a volume of proverbs written in five languages. Upon graduation from high school, he had been given a
stipend A stipend is a regular fixed sum of money paid for services or to defray expenses, such as for scholarship, internship, or apprenticeship. It is often distinct from an income or a salary because it does not necessarily represent payment for work pe ...
by William I of the Netherlands to attend the Netherlands Israelitish Seminary, where he pursued both secular and rabbinic studies. He was well-versed in mathematics, language, literature and law, and co-founded Peres and Micou, a legal firm. B'nai Israel hired Peres in December 1858 as cantor and teacher, in English and German, at an annual salary of $600 (today $) with perquisites of $400. By comparison, the kosher butcher's salary was $300, not including what he earned killing poultry. Peres also ran the Hebrew school and the choir, and was in effect the rabbi. Under his leadership, the membership took a serious interest in the plight of Jews around the world. For example, at a congregational meeting in , they gathered money from the members present and B'nai Israel's treasury to assist suffering
Moroccan Jews Moroccan Jews ( ar, اليهود المغاربة, al-Yahūd al-Maghāriba he, יהודים מרוקאים, Yehudim Maroka'im) are Jews who live in or are from Morocco. Moroccan Jews constitute an ancient community dating to Roman times. Jews b ...
, and created a committee to raise funds throughout Memphis on their behalf. The congregation also moved more towards Orthodoxy, and passed a rule stating that only those members who were Sabbath observant could receive Torah honors on the High Holy Days. Ringel (2004), pp. 4–5. Peres did not find his wages sufficient to support himself, his wife, and his four children. To supplement his income, he opened a grocery store and a commission business (selling others' goods on consignment) with his brother. As Saturday (the
Jewish Sabbath Shabbat (, , or ; he, שַׁבָּת, Šabbāṯ, , ) or the Sabbath (), also called Shabbos (, ) by Ashkenazim, is Judaism's day of rest on the seventh day of the week—i.e., Saturday. On this day, religious Jews remember the biblical storie ...
) was also the busiest day for commerce, he decided to keep his business open on that day—something forbidden by
Jewish law ''Halakha'' (; he, הֲלָכָה, ), also Romanization of Hebrew, transliterated as ''halacha'', ''halakhah'', and ''halocho'' ( ), is the collective body of Judaism, Jewish religious laws which is derived from the Torah, written and Oral Tora ...
, and at odds with the rule he had championed. Some of congregants objected, and at B'nai Israel's quarterly meeting, charges were brought against him; at a subsequent trial at a
Jewish court A beit din ( he, בית דין, Bet Din, house of judgment, , Ashkenazic: ''beis din'', plural: batei din) is a rabbinical court of Judaism. In ancient times, it was the building block of the legal system in the Biblical Land of Israel. Today, it ...
, he was convicted and fired. In response, he sued the congregation in a civil court for lost wages and libel. The precedent-setting case, which reached the
Tennessee Supreme Court The Tennessee Supreme Court is the ultimate judicial tribunal of the state of Tennessee. Roger A. Page is the Chief Justice. Unlike other states, in which the state attorney general is directly elected or appointed by the governor or state le ...
, was decided in his favor as regards the lost income, but against him regarding libel. The court's ruling was that "a religious institution is sovereign; that its laws and regulations are supreme; and that its policies and practices may not be challenged by a legal action in a court of law". In a letter to Rabbi Isaac Leeser in 1862, Peres claimed that he had been framed and that the store was actually run by his brother, just under his name. He writes that the synagogue had accused him of opening on the Sabbath "in order to get rid of me". After Peres's dismissal, the members began a search for what they called a "Moderate Reform" rabbi. This time, they consulted Wise, not Leeser. The position was advertised in Wise's newspaper as a "Teacher, Preacher, and Reader", paying $1,000 (today $) per year. Qualifications included the ability to "instruct children in Hebrew, lecture once a week in German or English and read the Prayers properly". Lewis (1998), p. 11. In 1860, they hired Simon Tuska. Lewis (1998), p. 25. Peres stayed in Memphis, and the theological tensions within the congregation were resolved when forty of the more traditional members departed; with Peres as their spiritual leader, they formed the Orthodox Beth El Emeth congregation in the early 1860s. Lewis (1998), p. 11 gives the year as 1861. Ringel (2004), p. 6 gives it as 1862. This division process was common to many American congregations of the time.


Tuska era (1860–1870)

Born in
Veszprém Veszprém (; german: Weißbrunn, sl, Belomost) is one of the oldest urban areas in Hungary, and a city with county rights. It lies approximately north of the Lake Balaton. It is the administrative center of the county (comitatus or 'megye') of ...
, Hungary in 1835, Tuska was raised in Rochester, New York, where his father was a rabbi. Simon attended the Rochester Theological Seminary, and upon completion of his studies there in 1858, was sent to the
Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau The Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau (official name: ) was an institution in Breslau for the training of rabbis, founded under the will of Jonah Fränckel, and opened in 1854. The seminary, at what is now an empty building plot (used as a ...
to get rabbinic training.According to Lewis (1998), p. 24. Ringel (2004), p. 7 writes that Tuska went to the Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau for two years " llowing his graduation from the University of Rochester in 1856". He did not graduate from the seminary, instead returning to the United States in 1860 to apply for a position at
Congregation Emanu-El of New York Congregation Emanu-El of New York is the first Reform Judaism, Reform Jewish congregation in New York City and, because of its size and prominence, has served as a flagship congregation in the Reform branch of Judaism since its founding in 1845 ...
, but he was turned down because of his small size and weak voice. He then applied to Temple Israel, where on , 1860, he was unanimously elected and signed a three-year contract at $800 (today $) per year. Ringel (2004), p. 7. For Tuska applying, see Lewis (1998), p. 25. He proved to be very popular with the congregation; in , six months before the three-year contract was up for renewal, he was re-elected as rabbi for a ten-year term, and his salary rose to $1,500 per year. Ringel (2004), p. 9. Tuska reformed services at B'nai Israel, removing ''
piyyut A ''piyyut'' or ''piyut'' (plural piyyutim or piyutim, he, פִּיּוּטִים / פיוטים, פִּיּוּט / פיוט ; from Greek ποιητής ''poiētḗs'' "poet") is a Jewish liturgical poem, usually designated to be sung, ch ...
im'' (liturgical poems) in 1861, adding an organ and mixed-gender choir in 1862, and confirmation ceremonies in 1863. Ringel (2004), p. 7; Lewis (1998), p. 25; Adler & Samfield (1904), p. 464; History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). Ringel writes that the choir was approved in 1862, but did not begin singing in services until spring 1863, in time for the first confirmation ceremonies, and that the organ was first used in for Passover services, at the request of the choir. He also shortened the
prayer book A prayer book is a book containing prayers and perhaps devotional readings, for private or communal use, or in some cases, outlining the liturgy of religious services. Books containing mainly orders of religious services, or readings for them are ...
(adopting Wise's ''
Minhag America ''Minhag America'' is a siddur created in 1857 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise that was intended to address conflict between sides supporting and opposing traditionalism in early Reform Judaism in the United States. The prayer book was accepted by the ...
'' version), added a late Friday night service, and created patriotically themed services for
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and National Fast Day. Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 337; Lewis (1998), pp. 25 and 52. When more pews were required to accommodate the worshipers, they were first added to the men's and women's sections, then family pews were added where men and women could sit together. In , as rabbi of B'nai Israel, he officiated at what may have been the first Jewish wedding in Tennessee; until that year, Tennessee did not authorize rabbis to perform marriages. He was also involved in the broader Memphis community, and participated in interfaith services. Lewis (1998), p. 52. Tuska supported slavery, describing the
abolitionist Abolitionism, or the abolitionist movement, is the movement to end slavery. In Western Europe and the Americas, abolitionism was a historic movement that sought to end the Atlantic slave trade and liberate the enslaved people. The British ...
views of
Henry Ward Beecher Henry Ward Beecher (June 24, 1813 – March 8, 1887) was an American Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, and speaker, known for his support of the Abolitionism, abolition of slavery, his emphasis on God's love, and his 1875 adultery ...
and others as "rabid", and like most members of B'nai Israel, after hostilities broke out between the
Union Union commonly refers to: * Trade union, an organization of workers * Union (set theory), in mathematics, a fundamental operation on sets Union may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * Union (band), an American rock group ** ''Un ...
and the Confederacy, he supported secession from the Union. More than ten members of the congregation volunteered for the Confederate Army after war broke out, and they were given special honors and blessings at a ceremony during Sabbath services. Ringel (2004), pp. 10–11. Many Memphis schools were forced to close because of the Civil War; in response, B'nai Israel established the Hebrew Educational Institute in 1864.According to Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 337; Ringel (2004), p. 4. According to Lewis (1998), p. 36, the school was established in 1863. A secular school, it had 100 students, and taught English, Hebrew, German, and French as well as geography and music. Tuska was one of the school's language teachers. Insufficient funding forced its closure in 1868. Lewis (1998), p. 37. B'nai Israel had 83 members in 1864. Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 337. The mortgage on the synagogue building had been paid off by 1865, but by 1867 the synagogue's expenses were exceeding its income. Ringel (2004), p. 16. Dues were raised to $4 (today $) per member per month, and the congregation took out a new mortgage. In , the congregation moved Friday night services to ; previously the services had been held just after sunset, in accordance with Jewish law, which had meant late-night services in mid-summer, and late-afternoon services in mid-winter. (Several years later High Holy Day services were moved to the same time). That year Tuska began giving his Friday night sermons in English, rather than German. At the end of 1870, Tuska died of a heart attack. Lewis (1998), p. 52. Ringel (2004), p. 16 states Tuska died in . Adler & Samfield (1904), p. 464, give the date as , 1870.


Samfield era (1871–1915)

In 1871, the congregation, whose membership by this time had reached 100, elected Max Samfield to succeed Tuska. Lewis (1998), p. 53. Ringel (2004), p. 17 gives the date of his election as , 1871, and the date he assumed office as , 1871. Adler & Samfield (1904), p. 464, give the date he assumed office as , 1871. The son of a rabbi, he was born in 1846 in
Marktsteft Marktsteft () is a town in the district of Kitzingen, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated on the left bank of the Main, southwest of Kitzingen. It was the birthplace (1885) of the well-known Second World War general Albert Kesselring Albe ...
, Bavaria, and was ordained in Germany.For ordination in Germany and born in 1846 see Brock (2003), p. 32. For rabbi's son, see Ringel (2004), p. 17, who also states his birth year was 1844. He left for the United States in 1867 to be rabbi of B'nai Zion Congregation of Shreveport, Louisiana, where he served for four years. Brock (2003), p. 32. He had significant competition for the role at B'nai Israel, with at least ten rabbis applying. Samfield had, however, preached there the Sabbath before the election for rabbi, and was hired for a one-year term. Ringel (2004), p. 17. The final tally in his favor was 41 out of 48 votes. A strong proponent of Reform Judaism, Lewis (1998), p. 53. he was associated with Wise in founding the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now
Union for Reform Judaism The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) until 2003, founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the congregational arm of Reform Judaism in North America. The other two arms established ...
), and under his leadership, B'nai Israel became one of its founding members in 1873. Silverman (1970), p. 50; History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). He was also president of the Board of Governors of
Hebrew Union College Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...
(HUC) in
Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line wit ...
, and was supervisor of the
Central Conference of American Rabbis The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), founded in 1889 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the principal organization of Reform rabbis in the United States and Canada. The CCAR is the largest and oldest rabbinical organization in the world. I ...
. ''The New York Times'', September 15, 1915, p. 13. In 1875, he asked the congregation if he could abandon wearing the traditional
head covering Headgear, headwear, or headdress is the name given to any element of clothing which is worn on one's head, including hats, helmets, turbans and many other types. Headgear is worn for many purposes, including protection against the elements, ...
while leading the prayers; Ringel (2004), p. 23. in response, the members resolved that ''all'' men would be required to remove their hats during services. He led the congregation to adopt the Reform movement's new ''
Union Prayer Book The ''Union Prayer Book'' was a Siddur published by the Central Conference of American Rabbis to serve the needs of the Reform Judaism movement in the United States. History An original version of the prayer book was published in 1892, based on th ...
'' in 1896, but resisted moving Sabbath services to Sunday. Ringel (2004), p. 31. Like most Reform rabbis at that time, he was strongly
anti-Zionist Anti-Zionism is opposition to Zionism. Although anti-Zionism is a heterogeneous phenomenon, all its proponents agree that the creation of the modern State of Israel, and the movement to create a sovereign Jewish state in the region of Palestine ...
, writing that
Zionism Zionism ( he, צִיּוֹנוּת ''Tsiyyonut'' after ''Zion'') is a Nationalism, nationalist movement that espouses the establishment of, and support for a homeland for the Jewish people centered in the area roughly corresponding to what is ...
was "an abnormal eruption of perverted sentiment". Lewis (1998), p. 66. A Scottish Mason, Samfield was committed to public service. When Tennessee's first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Children was formed in 1880, he became its first vice-president, Lewis (1998), p. 62. and in 1889, he led the fundraising for Memphis's first civilian hospital, St. Joseph's, a Catholic institution. Finlayson (2008), p. 248; Shepard (2004). He founded Memphis's Hebrew Relief Association, and the non-sectarian United Charities, and was a director of the New Orleans Jewish Orphans' Home, Denver's Jewish Consumptive House, and New York's Sheltering House Association. For the last fifteen years of his life he worked to create a home for elderly and infirm Southern Jews, completed in 1927. Lewis (1998), p. 119. During Memphis's 1873
yellow fever Yellow fever is a viral disease of typically short duration. In most cases, symptoms include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains – particularly in the back – and headaches. Symptoms typically improve within five days. In ...
epidemic, he—along with other Memphis rabbis and leading Jews—remained in the city rather than fleeing. Lewis (1998), p. 58. During the seven weeks the epidemic lasted, 51 people were buried in B'nai Israel's cemetery, almost twice the number typically buried there in a whole year. Ringel (2004), pp. 19–20. When another yellow fever epidemic broke out in 1878, Samfield stayed again, ministering to the dead and dying of all faiths. Memphis, Tennessee, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). During that epidemic 78 people were buried in the congregation's cemetery. Ringel (2004), p. 20. The city's frequent yellow fever epidemics decimated its Jewish community, which dropped from 2,100 to 300. They also hurt B'nai Israel's finances; members did not pay their dues, and for a time the congregation could not afford to pay Samfield. Ringel (2004), p. 21. By 1880, however, membership had increased to 124 families, and finances had improved. By this time, the synagogue was more typically called Children of Israel. Beth El Emeth was affected more severely than Children of Israel by the epidemics; its rabbi (Peres) died of yellow fever in 1879. Lewis (1998), p. 76; History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). In 1882, Beth El Emeth disbanded, and transferred its property to Children of Israel, though most Beth El Emeth members joined the Orthodox
Baron Hirsch Synagogue Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knigh ...
. The property included land on Second Street, and Beth El Emeth's cemetery. Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 337; Ringel (2004), p. 23; Lewis (1998), p. 62. In 1872, Children of Israel purchased land on Adams Avenue, with the intent of building a new synagogue there, but financial pressures delayed the project, and in 1880 the congregation decided to sell the property and find a better one. They sold the lot in 1882, and instead purchased land on Poplar Avenue between Second and Third Streets. Ringel (2004), p. 22. By 1884, they had completed a new synagogue building there, at a cost of $39,130 (today $). The
Byzantine Revival Neo-Byzantine architecture (also referred to as Byzantine Revival) was a revival movement, most frequently seen in religious, institutional and public buildings. It incorporates elements of the Byzantine style associated with Eastern and Ortho ...
structure had an impressive façade featuring twin tall spires and a large round window containing a
Star of David The Star of David (). is a generally recognized symbol of both Jewish identity and Judaism. Its shape is that of a hexagram: the compound of two equilateral triangles. A derivation of the ''seal of Solomon'', which was used for decorative ...
. The building helped attract new members; by 1885 an additional 45 had joined, for a total of 173 member families, and the congregation was again debt-free. Lewis (1998), p. 62; History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). That year, the synagogue acquired a cemetery on Hernando Road.According to Ringel (2004), p. 24, who states the land was acquired for $1,750, with an additional $2,000 spent on improvements that year, and $1,800 on landscaping and a chapel the following year. Lewis (1998), p. 77 states that the land had been originally owned by Beth El Emeth, and was acquired in 1890 for $1,000. Though the congregation continued to grow, most new Jewish immigrants to Memphis were from Eastern Europe, and more traditional than the members of Children of Israel. As a result, they typically formed their own Orthodox synagogues, the oldest and longest-lasting of which was the Baron Hirsch Synagogue. Members of Children of Israel worked to assist the Eastern European Jews in assimilating into American society, providing financial assistance, free education on topics such as English, civics, and even hygiene, and from 1897 to 1907 they held a Sunday School for children of the Baron Hirsch congregation. In 1890, the membership of Children of Israel was 186 families, and the religious school had 148 students. To deal with persistent financial issues and attract younger members, in 1897 the congregation created a new class of member, the "seatholder", who could not be elected to any office, but paid less in return. This innovation was successful; 47 new members joined in 1898, and the congregation's total membership reached 222 families. Combined with cost cuts in other areas (primarily reducing the amount paid to the choir), this pulled the synagogue out of a four-year financial deficit. Ringel (2004), pp. 28–31. The ''American Jewish Year Book'', Vol. 2, p. 462 indicates that in 1898/1899 Children of Israel had 185 member families, and congregational school had twelve teachers and around 130 students. These numbers, however, likely reflect the situation in 1897, and are almost identical to the figures given by Ringel for that year. At the end of the nineteenth century, the synagogue's annual revenues were $7,500 (today $). ''American Jewish Year Book'', Vol. 2, p. 462. Around this time the congregation stopped hiring cantors, relying instead on the organist and choir to lead prayer-singing. By 1905, congregational membership had increased to 262, and by 1907 it was 285, and the synagogue's annual revenues were $8,500.For 1905 figures, see History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). For 1907 figures, see ''American Jewish Year Book'', Vol. 9, p. 406. The congregational school, which held classes once a week, had fifteen teachers and 220 students. ''American Jewish Year Book'', Vol. 9, p. 406. That year the congregation added 56 seats to the sanctuary, primarily to handle the increased attendance on the High Holy Days. Ringel (2004), p. 34. Despite the congregation's growth and the expansion of the sanctuary, attendance at regular services was sparse, particularly on Friday nights. From 1892 onward, Samfield publicly admonished the members for their poor Sabbath attendance, Ringel (2004), pp. 29–31. and in 1907, he insisted that board members attend Friday night services. The board agreed on condition that Samfield ensured his sermons were no longer than 25 minutes. Notwithstanding these issues, in 1904 Children of Israel purchased him a house, and in 1910 voted him "rabbi for life", at an annual salary of $4,200 (today $).For purchasing of the house, see Ringel (2004), p. 32. For "rabbi for life", see History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). For salary, see Ringel (2004), p. 35. That year membership reached 305 families. In , William H. "Bill" Fineshriber became the congregation's first associate rabbi. Ringel (2004), p. 35. By 1912, the congregation had again grown too large for its building. Family membership was now 340, and the religious school had 260 children enrolled. Ringel (2004), p. 36. The congregation acquired land on Poplar Avenue at Montgomery Street, east of their existing location, and began constructing a new synagogue there. In addition to his other activities, in 1885 Samfield founded ''The Jewish Spectator'', a weekly journal on Southern Jewish life and culture. He was its editor until his death in , Rogoff & Schmier (2005), p. 413; LaPointe (1997), p. 365, n. 63. just days before his planned retirement. Ringel (2004), p. 38. His death was announced with banner headlines, and to commemorate his passing, Memphis's streetcars were stopped for ten minutes. Kalin (1997), p. 53.


Fineshriber era (1915–1924)

Fineshriber succeeded Samfield in 1915. Born in
St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the Greater St. Louis, ...
, in 1878, his father had been a Reform rabbi, who died at the age of 37. When Fineshriber was 13, he moved to Cincinnati on his own, where he attended high school. After graduating, he attended the
University of Cincinnati The University of Cincinnati (UC or Cincinnati) is a public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1819 as Cincinnati College, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Cincinnati and has an annual enrollment of over 44,00 ...
and entered HUC's eight-year program. By 1900 he had graduated from both and been ordained. Kalin (1997), p. 52. He accepted his first pulpit that year at Temple Emanuel in Davenport, Iowa, and joined Children of Israel in 1911 as associate rabbi. He was the synagogue's first HUC graduate, and its first American-born rabbi. He had a quick wit, and was able to speak eloquently and extemporaneously on almost any topic. Kalin (1997), p. 54. Often quoted in the newspapers, he was active in the Memphis community, and was a
Rotarian Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations in the world. Its stated mission is to "provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through hefellowship of business, prof ...
,
Shriner Shriners International, formally known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (AAONMS), is an American Masonic society established in 1870 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Shriners International describes itself ...
, and
Freemason Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...
.For often being quoted in newspapers, see Kalin (1997), p. 54. For membership in service organizations, see Kalin (1997), p. 61. He was also an early suffragist, and took up the cause at Children of Israel. At a 1913 women's day event, featuring speakers from Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, he was the only male speaker. At a 1914 rally he stated "Taxation without representation is tyranny ... hepurpose of this meeting ... is to shock the people of Memphis into a realization that the question of equal suffrage is not child's play." He spoke out strongly against the
lynching of Ell Persons Ell Persons was a black man who was lynched on 22 May 1917, after he was accused of having raped and decapitated a 15-year-old white girl, Antoinette Rappel, in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. He was arrested and was awaiting trial when he was ...
in 1917. Persons, a black man accused of raping and decapitating a sixteen-year-old white girl, had been burned alive in front of a crowd of thousands in Memphis, and his remains dismembered, scattered, and displayed. Kalin (1997), p. 56. Fineshriber called a congregational meeting to protest the lynching, convinced the membership to endorse a public condemnation of it, and acted as secretary to a group of clergymen who issued a statement decrying the practice. Kalin (1997), p. 57; History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). He also convinced the editor of Memphis's largest newspaper, ''
The Commercial Appeal ''The Commercial Appeal'' (also known as the ''Memphis Commercial Appeal'') is a daily newspaper of Memphis, Tennessee, and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is owned by the Gannett Company; its former owner, the E. W. Scripps Company, also ...
'', to write an editorial criticizing the lynching. Kalin (1997), pp. 57–58. Fineshriber supported other causes affecting African-Americans; he worked to improve their housing, spoke at black churches, and helped raise funds for them. Kalin (1997), p. 60. He criticized the
Ku Klux Klan The Ku Klux Klan (), commonly shortened to the KKK or the Klan, is an American white supremacist, right-wing terrorist, and hate group whose primary targets are African Americans, Jews, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and ...
from his pulpit, the only clergyman in Memphis to do so. In 1921 he publicized his intention to "preach on the Ku Klux Klan" at Children of Israel at an event that, it was hoped, would attract many non-members. Kalin (1997), p. 58. The Klan had re-organized in Memphis that year, and less than a month after Fineshriber's speech, marched publicly in Nashville's
Armistice Day Armistice Day, later known as Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth and Veterans Day in the United States, is commemorated every year on 11 November to mark Armistice of 11 November 1918, the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I a ...
parade. Despite threats against him, his wife, and children, Fineshriber continued to preach against the Klan at the temple and other venues. Kalin (1997), p. 59. In 1922, in response to the attempt by
William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan (March 19, 1860 – July 26, 1925) was an American lawyer, orator and politician. Beginning in 1896, he emerged as a dominant force in the History of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, running ...
and his followers to ban the teaching of
evolution Evolution is change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. These characteristics are the expressions of genes, which are passed on from parent to offspring during reproduction. Variation ...
in universities and public schools, Fineshriber devoted three Friday night sermons to discussing it. He emphasized to packed audiences the "inalienable right of free thought and free speech, guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States", and argued that " e majority of thoughtful and liberal preachers of the world have found no difficulty in accepting the theory of evolution without discarding their Bibles or their religion. You can worship God only in the light of truth". Ringel (2004), p. 47. Nevertheless, in 1925 Tennessee became the first state to ban the teaching of evolution in public schools, a law not repealed until 1967. Ringel (2004), p. 48. During Fineshriber's early years the congregation continued to modify its religious practices. At funerals, it encouraged mourners to leave the graveside, rather than having them wait until the coffin was lowered and cover it with earth themselves (as was the traditional practice). By this time, few members had bar mitzvah ceremonies for their 13-year-old boys; instead, boys and girls participated in the Reform confirmation ceremony (though the synagogue still allowed those who wanted bar mitzvah ceremonies to have them). In 1916, the congregation eliminated the observance of the eighth days of
Passover Passover, also called Pesach (; ), is a major Jewish holidays, Jewish holiday that celebrates the The Exodus, Biblical story of the Israelites escape from slavery in Ancient Egypt, Egypt, which occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew calendar, He ...
and
Sukkot or ("Booths, Tabernacles") , observedby = Jews, Samaritans, a few Protestant denominations, Messianic Jews, Semitic Neopagans , type = Jewish, Samaritan , begins = 15th day of Tishrei , ends = 21st day of Tishre ...
, required all worshipers to stand when mourners stood to recite the ''
kaddish Kaddish or Qaddish or Qadish ( arc, קדיש "holy") is a hymn praising God that is recited during Jewish prayer services. The central theme of the Kaddish is the magnification and sanctification of God's name. In the liturgy, different version ...
'', and restored the Orthodox practice of blessing and naming babies in the synagogue as part of the services. Ringel (2004), pp. 44–45. Children of Israel dedicated its new synagogue building in 1916.According to Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 337; History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006); Ringel (2004), p. 43. According to Israelowitz (1988), p. 119, the Poplar and Montgomery building was dedicated in June 1915. According to Lewis (1998), p. 180, the congregation moved to Poplar and Montgomery in 1917. Designed by local architects Walk C. Jones, Sr. and Max Furbringer, Langmead (2009), p. 159;
Johnson Johnson is a surname of Anglo-Norman origin meaning "Son of John". It is the second most common in the United States and 154th most common in the world. As a common family name in Scotland, Johnson is occasionally a variation of ''Johnston'', a ...
.
it featured a large central dome and two smaller flanking domes, and was designed to resemble Istanbul's
Hagia Sophia Hagia Sophia ( 'Holy Wisdom'; ; ; ), officially the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque ( tr, Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi), is a mosque and major cultural and historical site in Istanbul, Turkey. The cathedral was originally built as a Greek Ortho ...
. Ringel (2004), p. 41. Entrance was through three sets of double-doors, and carved into the
entablature An entablature (; nativization of Italian , from "in" and "table") is the superstructure of moldings and bands which lies horizontally above columns, resting on their capitals. Entablatures are major elements of classical architecture, and ...
was the biblical verse fragment "THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF" (). The building's sanctuary seated 1,200, and had a huge $10,000 (today $) organ. The money for the latter had been raised by the recently formed Ladies Auxiliary, whose most effective fund-raising activity involved selling home-cooked meals. The building also had an auditorium with a stage, and fourteen classrooms for the religious school. Children of Israel's vacated building was purchased by a new Orthodox congregation that had adopted the name of the disbanded Beth El Emeth. History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). According to Ringel (2004), p. 43, they paid $2,500 in cash, and were advanced the remaining $12,000 value by Temple Israel as a loan. After the United States entered World War I in 1917, 131 men from Children of Israel enlisted or were drafted; one was killed. Ringel (2004), p. 46. By 1919, the congregation's family membership had reached 450, and the synagogue's annual revenues were $18,000 (today $). The congregational school, which still held classes once a week, had 14 teachers and 388 students. ''American Jewish Year Book'', Vol. 21, p. 566. The following year, women were given the right to vote at all congregational meetings. Fineshriber left in 1924 to become head rabbi of Congregation Keneseth Israel in Philadelphia. Kalin (1997), p. 63. During his tenure, Children of Israel's membership doubled,According to Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 337, "Before he left in 1924, membership reached 450 families." According to Kalin (1997), p. 61, "In Fineshriber's brief tenure as rabbi ... the congregation doubled in membership". According to History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006), "In 1925, Rabbi Harry Ettelson arrived to lead the congregation, which now had 650 families." and the religious school grew from 100 to 550 students. Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 337; Kalin (1997), pp. 61–62. He died in 1968, and is the congregation's only deceased senior rabbi not buried in its cemetery. Ringel (2004), p. 49.


Ettelson era (1925–1954)

Harry William EttelsonSpelled "Ettleson" in some sources, e.g. ''American Jewish Year Book'', Vol. 5, p. 53, Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 337. succeeded Fineshriber in 1925, the first Southerner to lead the congregation. Lewis (2002); Gordon (2007); Ringel (2004), p. 50. Born in 1883, he was raised in
Mobile, Alabama Mobile ( , ) is a city and the county seat of Mobile County, Alabama, United States. The population within the city limits was 187,041 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, down from 195,111 at the 2010 United States census, 2010 cens ...
.According to Lewis (2002). who states he was born in Lithuania. According to ''American Jewish Year Book'', Vol. 5, p. 53, Ringel (2004), p. 50, and Gordon (2007), Ettelson was born in Mobile. He had a B.A. from the University of Cincinnati (graduating in 1900 when he was seventeen), an M.A. from the
University of Chicago The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, U of C, or UChi) is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois. Its main campus is located in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. The University of Chicago is consistently ranked among the b ...
, and a Ph.D. from
Yale University Yale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and among the most prestigious in the wo ...
. Ordained at HUC in 1904, he first served Congregation Achduth Vesholom in Fort Wayne, Indiana, from 1904 to 1910, then Congregation Beth Israel of Hartford, Connecticut, from 1911 to 1919. Lewis (2002); Gordon (2007); Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 137; Congregation Achduth Vesholom website. From 1919 to 1925 he was associate rabbi, then head rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia. Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 314. Ettelson was a strong supporter of the
Pittsburgh Platform The Pittsburgh Platform is a pivotal 1885 document in the history of the American Reform Movement in Judaism that called for Jews to adopt a modern approach to the practice of their faith. While it was never formally adopted by the Union of America ...
and its principles, which became the basis for what was later known as "classical" Reform Judaism. The services he led reflected that: member participation in the services (which were mostly in English) was limited. While at Achduth Vesholom he moved services from Saturday to Sunday for a period, in an attempt to improve attendance. Olitzky & Raphael (1996), pp. 137–138. Even before his joining Children of Israel, the congregation had already substantially reformed its services; it no longer held bar mitzvahs, observed the laws of ''
kashrut (also or , ) is a set of dietary laws dealing with the foods that Jewish people are permitted to eat and how those foods must be prepared according to Jewish law. Food that may be consumed is deemed kosher ( in English, yi, כּשר), fro ...
'', or allowed congregants to participate in the
Torah reading Torah reading (; ') is a Judaism, Jewish religion, religious tradition that involves the public reading of a set of passages from a Sefer Torah, Torah scroll. The term often refers to the entire ceremony of removing the scroll (or scrolls) fro ...
. Aside from the ''
Shema Yisrael ''Shema Yisrael'' (''Shema Israel'' or ''Sh'ma Yisrael''; he , שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל ''Šəmaʿ Yīsrāʾēl'', "Hear, O Israel") is a Jewish prayer (known as the Shema) that serves as a centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewis ...
'' and ''
Kaddish Kaddish or Qaddish or Qadish ( arc, קדיש "holy") is a hymn praising God that is recited during Jewish prayer services. The central theme of the Kaddish is the magnification and sanctification of God's name. In the liturgy, different version ...
'', Hebrew or Aramaic prayers had been almost totally eliminated. Though he made few ritual changes himself, Ringel (2004), p. 52. Ettelson continued this tradition, and emphasized community service over ritual practice, promoting Judaism as a universalist religion with a mission of justice and peace. Ringel (2004), p. 51. The year he arrived he organized the Cross Cut Club, an inter-faith group intended to counter religious prejudice. He served as its first president, and was its president again in 1950. One of his initiatives there was the Union Civic Thanksgiving Service, an interdenominational eve-of-Thanksgiving service that was held for a number of years. In the 1930s it held an integrated meeting, and, as a result, was not invited back to the venue the following year. Lewis (1998), p. 122; Lewis (2002). When Ettelson joined the congregation, it had 650 member families. To accommodate growth, in 1926 the synagogue built an annex for the children's religious school. Ringel (2004), pp. 52–53. Half the cost, approximately $24,000 (today $), was donated by synagogue president Joseph Newburger, and the rest was taken as a loan, which was paid off in 1928. That year the congregation also established the "Temple Men's Club", which had over 200 members, and joined the National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods. In 1928, the congregation purchased an adjoining house south of the synagogue, for Junior Congregation meetings, and began broadcasting its Friday evening services on the radio. Ringel (2004), p. 53. The amount paid for the house was $7,250. The costs for both endeavors were donated anonymously by synagogue member Abe Plough, founder and chairman of
Schering-Plough Schering-Plough Corporation was an American pharmaceutical company. It was originally the U.S. subsidiary of the German company Schering AG, which was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering. As a result of nationalization, it becam ...
. Ringel (2004), p. 54. The synagogue was hard-hit by the
Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
. Income from dues dropped from $47,000 in 1928 (today $) to $23,000 in 1932, and membership fell from 750 families in 1929 to as low as 629 families. The
Talmud Torah Talmud Torah ( he, תלמוד תורה, lit. 'Study of the Torah') schools were created in the Jewish world, both Ashkenazic and Sephardic, as a form of religious school for boys of modest backgrounds, where they were given an elementary educat ...
was closed due to lack of funds, and board meetings focused on finding ways to keep the congregation going financially. Ettelson requested a pay reduction of $1,000 (today $) in 1931, and a further 10 percent cut in 1933, and the salaries of other synagogue employees were also cut. Lewis (1998), p. 129. Ringel (2004), p. 55. The Junior Congregation did well, though; it had 189 paid members by 1933, held Saturday morning and High Holy Days services, and conducted a number of other programs. The congregation eventually recovered as a whole, assisted by members who were leaders in the civic and business worlds. By 1936, membership had increased to 650, and the synagogue paid off the remaining mortgage on the Poplar and Montgomery synagogue building. Ringel (2004), p. 57. The amount paid was $40,000. In 1932, Ettelson became locally famous for a debate he had at Nashville's
Ellis Auditorium The Ellis Auditorium was a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. It hosted local sporting events and concerts. History The auditorium opened in 1924 as a multipurpose concert hall, convention center, and athletic arena. The ...
with Scopes Trial lawyer
Clarence Darrow Clarence Seward Darrow (; April 18, 1857 – March 13, 1938) was an American lawyer who became famous in the early 20th century for his involvement in the Leopold and Loeb murder trial and the Scopes "Monkey" Trial. He was a leading member of t ...
on whether or not religion was necessary. Ettelson argued in favor, Darrow against. Lewis (1998), p. 136; History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). Friction between Ettelson and some board members came to a head in 1937, when the board discussed the issue of whether to retain him as rabbi; when invited to the meeting, he spoke briefly, then resigned. The board recommended that his tenure be put to a congregational vote at the next annual meeting, where he was re-elected in a secret ballot by a vote of 303 to 31. He took an eight-month medical leave in 1938, and Children of Israel hired Morton Cohn as assistant rabbi. Ringel (2004), pp. 58–59. The congregation was heavily involved in World War II, with many members serving in the armed forces, including Dudley Weinberg, who had succeeded Cohn as assistant rabbi. Children of Israel published a special newsletter for overseas members; Ringel (2004), p. 62. by the end of the war, approximately four hundred congregants had served—and fourteen had died—in the U.S. military. Israelowitz (1988), p. 119. As with many other Reform congregations, the members of Temple Israel were split on the issue of Zionism. It is likely that a majority were anti-Zionist, and the synagogue president joined the anti-Zionist
American Council for Judaism The American Council for Judaism (ACJ) is an organization of American Jews. In particular, it is notable for its historical opposition to Zionism, though it is Zionist today. The ACJ has also championed women's rights, including the right for women ...
, though other prominent members supported Zionism, and still others were simply non-Zionist. Ettelson initially opposed Zionism, though he did not join the council. With the growth of
antisemitism Antisemitism (also spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism) is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who holds such positions is called an antisemite. Antisemitism is considered to be a form of racism. Antis ...
inside and outside the United States, his views changed, and he was an early member of the local chapter of the Zionist United Palestine Appeal. Nevertheless, he successfully kept the issue from becoming divisive at the temple. Lewis (1998), p. 126, History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006), Ringel (2004), pp. 67–69. In 1943, the congregation changed its name to Temple Israel. Its membership grew rapidly, from 914 families in 1944 to over 1,100 by late 1949, together with an increase in the number of children in line with the post-war
post–World War II baby boom The middle of the 20th century was marked by a significant and persistent increase in fertility rates in many countries of the world, especially in the Western world. The term ''baby boom'' is often used to refer to this particular boom, generally ...
. In 1951 the temple added a new education building, which had 22 classrooms, offices, and a library. That year the congregation also updated the synagogue's kitchen, added air conditioning for the vestry and auditorium, and the same for the sanctuary in 1953. Ettelson retired the following year, and was succeeded as senior rabbi by James Wax. LaPointe (1997), pp. 154–155.


Wax era (1954–1978)

Born in 1912, James Aaron "Jimmy" Wax was raised in
Herculaneum, Missouri Herculaneum is a city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States, and is a suburb of St. Louis. The population was 4,273 at the 2020 United States Census. The City of Herculaneum was the first county seat of Jefferson County from January 1, ...
, where his was usually the only Jewish family in town. While attending
Washington University in St. Louis Washington University in St. Louis (WashU or WUSTL) is a private research university with its main campus in St. Louis County, and Clayton, Missouri. Founded in 1853, the university is named after George Washington. Washington University is r ...
, he was inspired by Rabbi Ferdinand Isserman of Temple Israel of St. Louis to become a rabbi, as a means of achieving social justice. Because of financial constraints brought on by the Depression, Wax had to finish his undergraduate schooling at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College, where he graduated with a B.A. in 1935. Mentored by Isserman, he then applied to HUC. Because he had little background in Hebrew, he did intensive work in the language prior to and during his admission, and was eventually ordained and achieved a Master of Hebrew Letters degree there in 1941. LaPointe (1997), p. 156. Turned down as a U.S.
military chaplain A military chaplain ministers to military personnel and, in most cases, their families and civilians working for the military. In some cases they will also work with local civilians within a military area of operations. Although the term ''cha ...
, from 1941 to 1945 he served at United Hebrew Congregation in St. Louis, and at
North Shore Congregation Israel North Shore Congregation Israel is a Reform synagogue located at 1185 Sheridan Road in Glencoe, Illinois. The congregation started in 1920 as the North Shore branch of Sinai Congregation, and is the oldest in the Chicago North Shore suburbs. T ...
in Glencoe, Illinois. Ringel (2004), pp. 72–73. In 1946, he became assistant rabbi of Temple Israel, and in 1947 was promoted to associate rabbi. In the early 1950s he was twice elected president of the Memphis and Shelby County Mental Health Society. Lewis (1998), p. 182. Upon Ettelson's retirement in 1954, Wax became senior rabbi. Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 338; History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). By this time the synagogue had around 1,200 member families, and over 600 children in its religious school. Wax initiated some changes in the congregation's religious practices. One was to have a real ram's horn ''
shofar A shofar ( ; from he, שׁוֹפָר, ) is an ancient musical horn typically made of a ram's horn, used for Jewish religious purposes. Like the modern bugle, the shofar lacks pitch-altering devices, with all pitch control done by varying the ...
'' blown on
Rosh Hashanah Rosh HaShanah ( he, רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, , literally "head of the year") is the Jewish New Year. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah (, , lit. "day of shouting/blasting") It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days (, , " ...
starting in 1954, rather than the trumpet that had been used for a number of years. Under his leadership a number of members also started having bar mitzvah ceremonies for their children, though this did not become common until the 1970s. By the 1970s he had also added Hebrew classes to the religious school. Ringel (2004), pp. 75–76, 88. In 1955 he supported and raised funds for the creation of Memphis's first
Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
synagogue, Beth Sholom, so that Conservative Jews would have their own place to worship. Cohen Ferris (2005), p. 236. By 1964, four assistant rabbis had succeeded Wax; Milton G. Miller, Robert Blinder, Sandford Seltzer, and Sylvin Wolf. That year Wax added Torah readings to the Friday evening service, and Temple Israel's board began purchasing
State of Israel Bonds Israel Bonds, the commonly-known name of Development Corporation for Israel (DCI), is the U.S. underwriter of debt securities issued by the State of Israel. DCI is headquartered in New York City, and is a broker-dealer and member of the Financial ...
; in the wake of the 1967
Six-Day War The Six-Day War (, ; ar, النكسة, , or ) or June War, also known as the 1967 Arab–Israeli War or Third Arab–Israeli War, was fought between Israel and a coalition of Arab world, Arab states (primarily United Arab Republic, Egypt, S ...
, the board resolved to buy Israel Bonds "to the maximum feasible extent". Ringel (2004), pp. 81–82. By 1970 Wax had introduced services to celebrate ''
Yom Ha'atzmaut Independence Day ( he, יום העצמאות ''Yom Ha'atzmaut'', lit. "Day of Independence") is the national day of Israel, commemorating the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. The day is marked by official and unofficial ceremonies ...
'' and commemorate
Holocaust Remembrance Day Yom HaZikaron laShoah ve-laG'vurah ( he, יום הזיכרון לשואה ולגבורה, , lit=Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day), known colloquially in Israel and abroad as Yom HaShoah (יום השואה) and in English as Holocaust Reme ...
. Though he initially resisted the idea of having a cantor, he eventually accepted a limited role for one, and in 1971 Thomas Schwartz was hired as Temple Israel's first full-time cantor/musical director in 80 years. Schwartz's salary was not paid by the synagogue, but was instead paid privately by a group of its members. Ringel (2004), p. 88. In 1978, Wax received the National Human Relations Award from the Memphis Round Table of the
National Conference of Christians and Jews The National Conference for Community and Justice is an American social justice organization focused on fighting biases and promoting understanding between people of different races and cultures. The organization was founded in 1927 as the Natio ...
. He retired a few weeks later, though he served as acting rabbi of Temple Beth El in Helena, Arkansas, visiting regularly from 1978 until his death in 1989. LeMaster (1994), p. 359, LaPointe (1997), p. 166.


Civil rights activism

The
Civil Rights Movement The civil rights movement was a nonviolent social and political movement and campaign from 1954 to 1968 in the United States to abolish legalized institutional Racial segregation in the United States, racial segregation, Racial discrimination ...
sparked extremist antisemitism in the South, and "Communist Jews" were blamed for destroying democracy following the United States Supreme Court's decision in ''
Brown v. Board of Education ''Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka'', 347 U.S. 483 (1954), was a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that U.S. state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional, even if the segrega ...
''. Southern Jews found themselves in a difficult position; they were a vulnerable minority whose status in Southern white society was marginal and conditional on their acceptance of the status quo. Webb (2003), p. xiv–xv. Because of these concerns, particularly after the 1958
bombing of the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation Temple The Hebrew Benevolent Congregation Temple bombing occurred on October 12, 1958 in Atlanta, Georgia. The The Temple (Atlanta), Hebrew Benevolent Congregation Temple, on Peachtree Street, housed a Reform Judaism, Reform Jewish congregation. Th ...
in Atlanta, the congregation did not want Wax taking a public stand on civil rights. In addition, though Wax supported racial integration, not all his congregants did; according to Wax, "Almost all native-born Southerners whose families lived in the South for two or more generations have segregationist attitudes." Webb (2003), p. xvi. Rather than getting involved in public protests, Wax worked with groups supporting integration, such as the Memphis Ministers Association. He also encouraged Temple Israel's members to join groups like the Panel of American Women, an interfaith and inter-racial group that spoke in favor of religious and racial tolerance at community events and whose Memphis chapter was founded by congregation member Jocelyn Wurzburg. Cohen Ferris & Greenberg (2006), p. 16. Temple Israel member Myra Dreifus co-founded Memphis's Fund for Needy Schoolchildren in the 1960s. It helped provide food for hungry schoolchildren, primarily in black schools, and later expanded its efforts to include the distribution of free or discounted clothing and footwear. Little (2009), pp. 35–40. The group had both white and black women as members, including members of Temple Israel, and because of Dreifus's role in the Fund, Temple Israel itself supported it. By 1968, members of the Sisterhood were donating money so that tutors could be bussed to the majority African-American Kansas Street School. According to professor of women's and gender studies Kimberly K. Little, this "marked the first occasion where Temple Israel opened its doors to community–based programs; its prior charitable work focused on Jewish community outreach". Little (2009), pp. 61–62. Wax was particularly involved with Memphis Committee on Community Relations (MCCR). The MCCR was formed in 1958 by a group of Memphis city leaders, with a goal of ending segregation in a non-violent way. Individual committees worked to desegregate various public facilities in Memphis. The MCCR also worked to get blacks representation in government (both elected and appointed officials), and created programs to improve economic conditions and job opportunities for blacks. Wax served as the MCCR's secretary from its formation until its dissolution in the 1970s. Several other Temple Israel members worked with the MCCR, and, as owners of large Memphis companies, were able to implement desegregation in their own workplaces. LaPointe (1997), p. 159. Other Temple Israel members supported the civil rights movement: senior business executives convinced stores to hire black salespeople, Herschel Feibelman chaired the Memphis War on Poverty Committee, and Marvin Ratner left a partnership at a prominent local law firm to form, along with two white and two black lawyers, Memphis's first integrated law firm. In January 1965, Memphis mayor William B. Ingram asked Wax to join his Community Action Committee, a group that tried to get federal funding for
anti-poverty program Poverty reduction, poverty relief, or poverty alleviation, is a set of measures, both economic and humanitarian, that are intended to permanently lift people out of poverty. Measures, like those promoted by Henry George in his economics cl ...
s and job training for black youths. In August of that year, Wax became chair of its policy committee, a mostly black group. Though the committee created a number of helpful programs, disagreement over the mayor's role in choosing members and controlling funds led to the group's dissolution in . Ingram lauded Wax's efforts on behalf of the group. LaPointe (1997), pp. 159–160. Wax was also active in other civil rights groups, including the Tennessee Council on Human Relations, the
American Civil Liberties Union The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1920 "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States". T ...
, the Memphis Urban League, and the Program of Progress, a group that worked to reform local government. LaPointe (1997), p. 160. He was elected president of the Memphis Ministers Association in , even though he was its only Jewish member. LaPointe (1997), p. 162. On January 31, 1968, two Memphis sanitation workers were crushed to death in a malfunctioning garbage compactor, prompting the start of the
Memphis sanitation strike The Memphis sanitation strike began on February 12, 1968, in response to the deaths of sanitation workers Death of Echol Cole and Robert Walker, Echol Cole and Robert Walker.Estes, S. (2000). `I AM A MAN A MAN?’: Race, Masculinity, and the 1 ...
on . The mostly black sanitation workers were Memphis's lowest paid civil servants, and received no overtime or holiday pay. LaPointe (1997), p. 161. Memphis's mayor was now
Henry Loeb Henry Loeb III (December 9, 1920 – September 8, 1992) was an American politician of the Democratic Party, who was mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, for two separate terms in the 1960s, from 1960 through 1963, and 1968 through 1971. He gained n ...
, a former member of Temple Israel, who converted to Christianity soon after starting his term in 1968, after marrying an Episcopalian woman. Kousser (1999), p. 181. He refused to negotiate with the workers, and the strike soon came to national attention as a civil rights issue. After being contacted by black ministers, Wax arranged a meeting on between Loeb, local union leaders, and
Jerry Wurf Jerome Wurf (May 18, 1919 – December 10, 1981) was a U.S. labor leader and president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) from 1964 to 1981. Wurf was a friend of Martin Luther King Jr., and was arrested m ...
, head of the
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is the largest trade union of public employees in the United States. It represents 1.3 million public sector employees and retirees, including health care workers, correcti ...
. The talks, which continued until on the 19th, and resumed later that day, resolved nothing. LaPointe (1997), p. 163. Temple Israel member Dreifus used her past support for Loeb in his 1967 mayoralty campaign as a means of trying to force him to resolve the strike, and act as a representative of both white and black Memphians. Little (2009), p. 64. The strike continued through March. In an attempt to defuse tension, Wax called a meeting of Memphis's two clergy groups, the mostly white Memphis Ministers Association and the black Interdenominational Alliance for . LaPointe (1997), pp. 162, 164. The meeting, if anything, had the opposite effect; the black ministers wanted to march immediately on the mayor's office, while most of the white clergy, including Wax, refused to join the march, which they argued would just inflame the white public.
Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist, one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968 ...
was assassinated in Memphis the next night. The Memphis Ministers Association organized a memorial service for King on the 5th. At the service, the ministers voted to march to Loeb's office that day and insist he address the workers' grievances and end the strike; led by Wax and William Dimmick, the dean of St. Mary's Cathedral, 250 clergymen marched in pairs to Loeb's office, where he was urged in front of television cameras to end the strike. LaPointe (1997), p. 153. In his sermon at Temple Israel, Wax told the congregation: "This city shall witness a new spirit and the memory of this great prophet of our time shall be honored. There will be bigots and segregationists and the so-called respectable but unrighteous people who will resist. But in the scheme of history, God's will does prevail." The strike was settled on , with the sanitation workers getting union recognition and other benefits. LaPointe (1997), p. 165. The only remaining impediment was a recommended ten-cent-an-hour raise on , followed by another raise on . The city budget did not have the estimated $558,000 (today $) required to pay the workers. To resolve the impasse, Temple Israel member Abe Plough donated the shortfall anonymously. Lewis (1998), p. 88; History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006).


East Massey Road building

By 1957 the synagogue sanctuary, which had been designed for 350 families, had become too small to accommodate Temple Israel's over 1,100 member families. In addition, since the 1950s Memphis's Jewish community had been steadily moving from the downtown, where Temple Israel's Poplar Avenue building was located, to the eastern suburbs; by 1957 over half of the members, and three-quarters of those with children in the congregational school, lived there. School attendance increased rapidly, and the student body soon outgrew its 1951 building. The school had to split attendance in 1959, with the younger children attending on Saturday and the older ones on Sunday, and by 1961, 780 children were enrolled. Ringel (2004), pp. 79–80. In the early 1960s, Temple Israel began holding weekday classes at Beth Sholom, which was closer to most members. In 1963, Temple Israel drew up plans for a new building, and in 1964 purchased land on White Station Road. In 1966, the members voted against building there, as older members were attached to the existing building, and concerned about expenses, but by the early 1970s, the situation could no longer be ignored. Plough offered to donate one-quarter of the $4 million cost of a new building. History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). Plough offered $1 million (today $) towards a new building, if fifteen more donors would donate $1.5 million, and the rest of the congregation another . The land on White Station Road was sold, and a property on East Massey Road was purchased; Ringel (2004), p. 90. The White Station Road property was sold for , and the East Massey Road property cost $700,000. the congregation moved into the new building in . The old synagogue was sold to Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, which would occupy it for the next twenty years. Sheffield & Aldinger (2004); History, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary website. According to Ringel (2004), p. 92, Temple Israel wanted for the old synagogue building and property, and reduced its asking price to $940,000, but the purchasers could only raise $800,000. Plough was approached, and agreed to donate the $140,000 shortfall. The new building was designed by Francis Gassner of Gassner, Nathan and Partners, with
Percival Goodman Percival Goodman (January 13, 1904 – October 11, 1989) was an American urban theorist and architect who designed more than 50 synagogues between 1948 and 1983. He has been called the "leading theorist" of modern synagogue design, Philip No ...
as consulting architect. Redstone (1984), p. 76; Scruggs (2007). AIA Memphis (2010), p. 10 gives the architectural firm's name as "Gassner, Nathan & Browne". It was constructed of steel and masonry, which was used for both the exterior and interior, and had copper roofing. Scruggs (2007). In the front, a glass covered garden entered into a two-story reception area, which led to a smaller foyer, and ultimately to the main sanctuary. Stimpson (1985), p. 363. It had 32 classrooms, Ringel (2004), p. 96. and a 300-seat chapel, later named the Danziger Chapel in honor of rabbi Harry Danziger and his wife Jeanne. Facilities, Temple Israel website. Redstone (1984), p. 76. The ''
ner tamid Malta - Mosta - Rotunda in 57 ies. A sanctuary lamp, chancel lamp, altar lamp, everlasting light, or eternal flame is a light that shines before the altar of sanctuaries in many Jewish and Christian places of worship. Prescribed in Exodus 27:20-2 ...
'', Torah ark doors, and
Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments (Biblical Hebrew עשרת הדברים \ עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים, ''aséret ha-dvarím'', lit. The Decalogue, The Ten Words, cf. Mishnaic Hebrew עשרת הדיברות \ עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְ ...
wall decoration from the Poplar Road building were installed in the new chapel. The sanctuary, which sat up to 1,500, was semi-circular in shape, and designed so that no worshiper was more than fifteen rows from the
Torah ark A Torah ark (also known as the ''Heikhal'', or the ''Aron Kodesh'') refers to an ornamental chamber in the synagogue that houses the Torah scrolls. History The ark, also known as the ''ark of law'', or in Hebrew the ''Aron Kodesh'' or ''aron ha- ...
.In Redstone (1984), p. 76, the architect states that the sanctuary "accommodat s1335 people". Facilities, Temple Israel website (2010) and AIA Memphis (2010), p. 10 state that the sanctuary seats 1,500. It was lit by skylights, and had a balcony. Its ceiling, along with those of the entrance foyer and chapel, were of oak, as were the doors, trim, and paneling. The building's interior art work was designed by Efrem Weitzman, including the Torah ark, most ritual objects, stained glass, mosaics, and tapestries. Redstone (1984), p. 76; Israelowitz (1988), p. 119; Temple Israel; 1976 (03-03797), Art, Architecture and Engineering Library Visual Resources Collection, University of Michigan. In the architect's view, the compact design of the sanctuary, and the liberal use of stained glass and wood, "achieved the desired feelings of intimacy". On the same level as the balcony was a gallery, originally designed for art and Judaica exhibits. In 1994, upon the donation by Herta and Justin Adler of the Adler Judaica Collection, this became a permanent museum. Sparks (2009); Sheldon (2001), p. 238; Museum, Temple Israel website. The complex at 1376 East Massey Road had a final cost of (today $), of which Plough donated over . In gratitude for his donation, Plough was named honorary president for life. Ringel (2004), p. 89. In 2003, the congregation embarked on a significant renovation and expansion of its facility. Over of space, including the social hall, was renovated, and a early childhood and family center addition was built, creating a U-shaped wing around a courtyard. Architect Walt Reed of The Crump Firm said he kept the emphasis on "simple, geometric, contemporary forms" that existed in the original building, as well as using the same copper roofing and detailing materials. The approximately construction project took two years, and was completed in 2007. "Wings to the Heavens",
David Ascalon David Ascalon ( he, דוד אשקלון; born March 8, 1945) is an Israeli contemporary sculptor and stained glass artist, and co-founder of Ascalon Studios. Biography Ascalon was born in Tel Aviv, in the British Mandate of Palestine (now Israel ...
's -high, welded aluminum and stainless steel abstract kinetic sculpture, was installed in the atrium. Ascalon (2010).


Danziger era (1978–2000), 21st century

Harry K. Danziger succeeded Wax as rabbi in 1978. The son of a rabbi, Danziger was a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, and ordained by the HUC.For rabbi's son, see Ringel (2004), pp. 99–100. For education and ordination, see Clergy, Temple Israel website. He joined Temple Israel as assistant rabbi in 1964, but in 1969 moved to Monroe, Louisiana, to lead Congregation B'nai Israel. He was replaced first by Howard Schwartz, then by Richard Birnholz. Ringel (2004), pp. 87, 99–100. Birnholz tendered his resignation in 1973, and Wax began to think of retirement. Danziger, then at Baltimore's Temple Oheb Shalom, was approached as Wax's successor, and returned to Temple Israel that year as associate rabbi. Ringel (2004), pp. 99–100. Synagogue membership had been around 1,350 families from the mid-1960s, but increased after the move to East Massey Road. Ringel (2004), p. 102. By Wax's retirement it had reached around 1,500, and over half Memphis's 10,000 Jews were members of Temple Israel. In his first sermon as associate rabbi, Danziger said "we can afford to look Jewish after all these years and ... out of self-respect alone, we cannot afford not to". As senior rabbi he slowly brought more traditional observances back to Temple Israel, moving it away from the radicalism of "Classical Reform" Judaism. These observances included the chanting of Torah blessings, a Torah procession through the sanctuary aisles, fasting on ''Yom Kippur'', circumcising baby boys, and saying the ''kaddish'' for the deceased. In 1979, he gradually replaced the old ''Union Prayer Book'' with the new ''
Gates of Prayer ''Gates of Prayer, the New Union Prayer Book'' (''GOP'') is a Reform Jewish siddur that was announced in October 1975 as a replacement for the 80-year-old ''Union Prayer Book'' (''UPB''), incorporating more Hebrew content and was updated to be mor ...
''
prayer book A prayer book is a book containing prayers and perhaps devotional readings, for private or communal use, or in some cases, outlining the liturgy of religious services. Books containing mainly orders of religious services, or readings for them are ...
, and later began wearing a ''
tallit A tallit ''talit'' in Modern Hebrew; ''tālēt'' in Sephardic Hebrew and Ladino language, Ladino; ''tallis'' in Ashkenazic Hebrew and Yiddish language, Yiddish. Mishnaic Hebrew, Mish. pl. טליות ''telayot''; Heb. pl. טליתות ''tallitot' ...
'' while on the '' bimah''. The changes were not uncontroversial, and the latter prompted one member to resign in protest. Ringel (2004), pp. 106–107. Though more traditional than his more recent predecessors, he was willing to perform intermarriages, but also counseled the couples as to the meaning of making a Jewish home. Jaffe McClain (1995), p. 121. Danziger was involved in the Central Conference of American Rabbis and eventually became its president. Fishkoff (2006). John Kaplan joined as cantor in 1981, and made the services less formal and more interactive. His innovations included bringing in more modern tunes, encouraging congregational singing, and accompanying the services with a guitar, rather than the organ. Ringel (2004), p. 110. By 2006, Friday night services included a "spirit" service, at which a
house band A house band is a group of musicians, often centrally organized by a band leader, who regularly play at an establishment. It is widely used to refer both to the bands who work on entertainment programs on television or radio, and to bands which ...
played. During Danziger's tenure, assistant rabbis included Alan Greenbaum (1977–1981), Harry Rosenfeld (1981–1984), Constance Abramson Golden—Temple Israel's first female rabbi—(1984–1986), and Marc Belgrad (1986–1991). Ringel (2004), p. 111. Micah D. Greenstein, the son of rabbi Howard Greenstein, Bauman & Kalin (1997), p. 323; Kerr (2006). succeeded Belgrad as assistant rabbi in 1991, and was subsequently promoted to associate rabbi. Clergy, Temple Israel website. A graduate of
Cornell University Cornell University is a private statutory land-grant research university based in Ithaca, New York. It is a member of the Ivy League. Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, Cornell was founded with the intention to teach an ...
and the
John F. Kennedy School of Government The Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), officially the John F. Kennedy School of Government, is the school of public policy and government of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school offers master's degrees in public policy, public ...
, he was ordained by the HUC. On Danziger's retirement in 2000, he became senior rabbi. An advocate for social justice, he tried to convince the Shelby County Commission to pass a law forbidding discrimination against
LGBT ' is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. The LGBT term is a ...
people, and has used the Bible to present counter-arguments to those supporting such discrimination based on biblical verses. Wolff (2009). He has served twice as president of the Memphis Ministers Association, and sits on the boards of several local non-profit organizations. Lindberg (2009). Valerie Cohen joined as assistant rabbi in 1999, and served until 2003, before becoming rabbi of Beth Israel Congregation of Jackson, Mississippi, and subsequently Temple Emanuel Sinai of
Worcester, Massachusetts Worcester ( , ) is a city and county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, the city's population was 206,518 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the second-List of cities i ...
(2014 to present). Rabbi Biography, Beth Israel Congregation of Jackson, Mississippi, website. Adam B. Grossman, a graduate of
Ohio State The Ohio State University, commonly called Ohio State or OSU, is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio. A member of the University System of Ohio, it has been ranked by major institutional rankings among the best public ...
and Xavier universities, and ordained at HUC, joined as assistant rabbi in . He had previously served as a rabbinic intern at Dayton, Ohio's Temple Israel. Katie M. Bauman, a graduate of
Washington University in St. Louis Washington University in St. Louis (WashU or WUSTL) is a private research university with its main campus in St. Louis County, and Clayton, Missouri. Founded in 1853, the university is named after George Washington. Washington University is r ...
, and ordained at HUC, joined as assistant rabbi in . She had previously served in rabbinic roles in Natchez, Mississippi and Marion, Ohio, as a cantor in Cincinnati, Ohio's
Rockdale Temple The Rockdale Temple, Kahal Kadosh Bene Israel (19th-century spelling K. K. Benai Israel), is the oldest Jewish congregation west of the Allegheny Mountains, the oldest congregation in Ohio, the second oldest Ashkenazi congregation in the United St ...
, and in 2003–2004, as Temple Israel's Artist and Educator in Residence. Temple Israel experienced modest fluctuations in membership during the 1990s and 2000s, and approximately half the Jews attending services in Memphis worshiped there. Finlayson (2008), pp. 284–285. In 1995, membership was over 1,700 family units, and by 2004, it had reached 1,800, and the religious school had 800 students.For 1995 membership see Olitzky & Raphael (1996), p. 338. For 2004 membership see History of Temple Israel, Institute of Southern Jewish Life (2006). By 2008, the school (renamed the Wendy and
Avron Fogelman Avron B. Fogelman (born March 1, 1940) is an American businessman and real estate developer. He was a former part owner of the Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals as well as several Memphis-based sports teams.Jim MasilaFogelman boxes up sp ...
Religious School) had 500 students, and by 2010 membership had fallen to under 1,600 families.For 2008 membership see Bardos (2008). For 2010 membership see Overview, Temple Israel website. It remained, nevertheless, the only Reform synagogue in Memphis, the largest and oldest synagogue in Tennessee, and one of the largest Reform synagogues in the United States.For only Reform synagogue in Memphis, see FAQs, Temple Israel website. For largest and oldest synagogue in Tennessee, see Dowd (2010) ( Lewis (1998), p. 24 notes that a synagogue was founded in
Bolivar, Tennessee Bolivar is a city in and the county seat of Hardeman County, Tennessee, United States. The town was named for South American revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 5,417. Bolivar is served by Willia ...
, in 1851 but it was short-lived). For one of the largest Reform synagogues in the United States, see Lindberg (2009).
, Micah Greenstein is the senior rabbi, with Bess Wohlner as associate rabbi, Jeremy Simons as the assistant rabbi, Harry Danziger as rabbi emeritus, and John Kaplan as cantor emeritus.


Notes


References

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External links

* *Photographs:
Temple Israel 1976

Temple Israel 1976 – Entrance

Temple Israel 1976 – Entrance

Temple Israel 1976 – Main Sanctuary
{{DEFAULTSORT:Israel (Memphis, Tennessee) 1853 establishments in Tennessee Buildings and structures in Memphis, Tennessee Culture of Memphis, Tennessee Founding members of the Union for Reform Judaism Jews and Judaism in Memphis, Tennessee Percival Goodman synagogues Reform synagogues in Tennessee Religious organizations established in 1853 Synagogues completed in 1884 Synagogues completed in 1916 Synagogues completed in 1976