Beth Israel Synagogue () is a

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civiliza ...

synagogue A synagogue, also called a shul or a temple, is a place of worship for Jews and Samaritans. It is a place for prayer (the main sanctuary and sometimes smaller chapels) where Jews attend religious services or special ceremonies such as wed ...

located at 920 Franklin Road in Roanoke,

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...

, in the United States. The synagogue was founded in 1900, and as of 2009, it had a membership of approximately 160 families and individuals.Synagogue website
Accessed November 3, 2009. The 1925 building, designed by Frye and Stone, combines

Classical Revival Neoclassicism, also spelled Neo-classicism, emerged as a Western cultural movement in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that drew inspiration from the art and culture of classical antiquity. Neoclassic ...

features in an unusual and rather severe design. A two-story Ionic

portico A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cu ...

, with an

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 ...

, is engaged with and centered on the stepped gabled and parapeted

façade A façade or facade (; ) is generally the front part or exterior of a building. It is a loanword from the French language, French (), which means "frontage" or "face". In architecture, the façade of a building is often the most important asp ...

. Doors and windows occupy each of the bays between the columns. A small

Star of David The Star of David (, , ) is a symbol generally recognized as representing 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 was used for decora ...

occupies the gable. In 2007 the synagogue completed an expansion and renovation of its building, carefully planned so that the original facade, part of Roanoke's Old Southwest historic district, was unaltered.Podger, Pamela J
"Beth Israel Synagogue: Returning in joy; The congregation of Beth Israel Synagogue celebrated the completion of a yearlong renovation"
''

The Roanoke Times ''The Roanoke Times'' is the primary newspaper in Southwestern Virginia and is based in Roanoke, Virginia, United States. It is published by Lee Enterprises. In addition to its headquarters in Roanoke, it maintains a bureau in Christiansburg, ...

'', August 27, 2007.

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 t ...

Fabian Werbin commenced in 2008.

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* 20th-century synagogues in the United States Jewish organizations established in 1900 1900 establishments in Virginia Roanoke, Virginia Neoclassical synagogues Neoclassical architecture in Virginia Conservative synagogues in Virginia Buildings and structures in Roanoke, Virginia Synagogues completed in 1925 {{US-synagogue-stub

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