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Congregation Beth Israel (Portland, Oregon)
Encyclopedia
Beth Israel is a Reform
congregation and Jewish synagogue
in Portland, Oregon
, United States. The congregation was founded in 1858, while Oregon was still a territory
, and built its first synagogue in 1859.
This early structure was replaced by an 1888 synagogue building, which was destroyed by fire in December 1923. The building, called Moorish revival
in some sources, is elsewhere described as a combination of eclectic and Gothic revival styles, with two towers topped by bulbous domes.
It was replaced in 1928 by a notable Neo-Byzantine
synagogue building that continues to serve the congregation. It was listed as Temple Beth Israel on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1979. It is considered one of the finest examples of Byzantine-style architecture on the west coast
, and was inspired by the Alte Synagoge
(Steelerstrasse Synagogue) in Essen
, Germany. The interior of Steelerstrasse, the first modern synagogue in Germany, was praised as Germany's most beautiful; it was destroyed during Kristallnacht
.
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
congregation and Jewish synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, United States. The congregation was founded in 1858, while Oregon was still a territory
Oregon Territory
The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries , the region was...
, and built its first synagogue in 1859.
Architecture
The congregation's first building was a modest, single story, pitched-roof, wood-framed, clapboard building with Gothic, pointed-arch windows and door.This early structure was replaced by an 1888 synagogue building, which was destroyed by fire in December 1923. The building, called Moorish revival
Moorish Revival
Moorish Revival or Neo-Moorish is one of the exotic revival architectural styles that were adopted by architects of Europe and the Americas in the wake of the Romanticist fascination with all things oriental...
in some sources, is elsewhere described as a combination of eclectic and Gothic revival styles, with two towers topped by bulbous domes.
It was replaced in 1928 by a notable Neo-Byzantine
Neo-Byzantine architecture
The Byzantine Revival was an architectural revival movement, most frequently seen in religious, institutional and public buildings. It emerged in 1840s in Western Europe and peaked in the last quarter of 19th century in the Russian Empire; an isolated Neo-Byzantine school was active in Yugoslavia...
synagogue building that continues to serve the congregation. It was listed as Temple Beth Israel on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1979. It is considered one of the finest examples of Byzantine-style architecture on the west coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
, and was inspired by the Alte Synagoge
Alte Synagoge
The Old Synagogue is a cultural meeting center and memorial in the city of Essen in West Germany. It is located in the center of the city on Steeler Straße 29, close to the present city hall....
(Steelerstrasse Synagogue) in Essen
Essen
- Origin of the name :In German-speaking countries, the name of the city Essen often causes confusion as to its origins, because it is commonly known as the German infinitive of the verb for the act of eating, and/or the German noun for food. Although scholars still dispute the interpretation of...
, Germany. The interior of Steelerstrasse, the first modern synagogue in Germany, was praised as Germany's most beautiful; it was destroyed during Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht, also referred to as the Night of Broken Glass, and also Reichskristallnacht, Pogromnacht, and Novemberpogrome, was a pogrom or series of attacks against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and parts of Austria on 9–10 November 1938.Jewish homes were ransacked, as were shops, towns and...
.
External links
- Congregation Beth Israel (official website)