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B'nai Israel Synagogue (Baltimore)

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B'nai Israel Synagogue
Religion
AffiliationModern Orthodox Judaism[1]
LeadershipRabbi Etan Mintz[2]
StatusActive
Location
LocationBaltimore, Maryland, United States
Architecture
TypeSynagogue
StyleMoorish Revival[3]
Completed1845; 179 years ago (1845)[4]
Website
www.jewishdowntown.org


B'nai Israel is a Modern Orthodox synagogue located in the historic Jonestown neighborhood, near downtown and the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. The synagogue is one of the oldest synagogue buildings still standing in the United States.[5]

Architecture

The synagogue is noted for its Moorish Revival architecture. The Aron Kodesh is an architectural fantasy in carved wood, with the cabinet in which the Torah scrolls are stored, surrounded by a pair of tall minarets.

Leadership

Rabbi Etan Mintz is the spiritual leader of B'nai Israel Synagogue.[2]

History

A group of members of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation believed that the congregation had become too liberal and modernistic. In 1873,[6] they formed a new congregation, named the Russian Congregation of B'nai Israel. Most of the congregants were of Russian decent and a significant minority were of either Lithuanian[7] or Polish descent.[8]

The building itself was built by Chizuk Amuno Congregation in 1845.[4] Chizuk Amuno Congregation sold the building to B'nai Israel for $12,000 in 1895.[9][8][10]

In 1973, the congregation began raising funds for the restoration of the synagogue.[4]

B'nai Israel donated land to the City of Baltimore to build a park near the synagogue in 1975.[11][12] Named Freedom Park, the park honors victims of oppression.[13]

References

  1. ^ "About Us". B'nai Israel Synagogue. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Our Rabbi". B'nai Israel Synagogue. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  3. ^ "Architecture". B'nai Israel Synagogue. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Peitila, Antero. "Jewish New Year 5734: Ram's horn heralds Rosh Hashana". The Baltimore Sun. September 26, 1973. p. C28.
  5. ^ Gordon, Mark W. "Rediscovering Jewish Infrastructure: Update on United States Nineteenth Century Synagogues". American Jewish History. 84.1 (1996). p. 11–27.
  6. ^ "B'nai Israel Congregation Marks 75th Anniversary". The Baltimore Sun. May 24, 1948. p. 8.
  7. ^ "Virtual Jewish World: Baltimore, Maryland". Virtual Jewish Library. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  8. ^ a b Shoken, Fred. "A History of the B'nai Israel Congregation of Baltimore City". Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  9. ^ "Real Estate Transactions". ''The Baltimore Sun. September 6, 1895. p. 7.
  10. ^ "A Temple of Granite: To Be Erected by the Chizzuh Amuno Congregation". The Baltimore Sun. April 12, 1895. p. 8.
  11. ^ "Corned-beef renovation". The Baltimore Sun. January 30, 1975. p. C3.
  12. ^ Kimelman, Donald. "Mayor kicks off Lombard renewal". The Baltimore Sun. April 3, 1976. p. B1.
  13. ^ Arnett, Earl. "Freedom Park will honor all victims of oppression". The Baltimore Sun. August 27, 1976. p. B1.
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