Temple Emanuel (Creve Coeur, Missouri)

Temple Emanuel
Basic information
Location 12166 Conway Road,
Creve Coeur, Missouri, U.S.
Geographic coordinates 38°38′29″N 90°26′51″W / 38.6414°N 90.4474°W / 38.6414; -90.4474Coordinates: 38°38′29″N 90°26′51″W / 38.6414°N 90.4474°W / 38.6414; -90.4474
Affiliation Reform Judaism
Status Active
Leadership
  • Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh
  • Rabbi Emeritus Joseph R. Rosenblum
  • President Mike Szymkowicz [1]
Website testl.org
Architectural description
Groundbreaking 1961
Completed 1962
Specifications
Materials Roof of laminated wood beams and thick plank decking, clad in copper

Temple Emanuel is a Reform synagogue located at 12166 Conway Road, near the corner of New Ballas Road, in Creve Coeur, Missouri.[2][3] Organized in 1956, it is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (UAHC). It has a membership of 300 families.

The Temple is notable not only for its size, but for its unique modern architecture.

History

A group of parents in the area first had the idea to form a synagogue in the 1940s as a way to further their children's religious education.[4][5] They founded St. Louis School for Judaism in September 1953 and organized the synagogue in 1956, choosing the name "Temple Emanuel" on December 16, 1956.[6][7][4][5] It was the first Reform congregation founded in St. Louis in 70 years.[5] The congregation initially had 48 families, and services were held at the Bible Presbyterian Church.[4] Construction at the Conway Road site began in September 1961, and the completed building was dedicated in January 1963.[4] The synagogue is affiliated with the UAHC.[8]

In March 2008, the synagogue and Temple Israel in Creve Coeur (which had approximately 1,000 families) announced a plan to merge, which would have created a congregation of 1,400 families, one of the area's largest Reform Jewish congregations.[9][10] After two months of discussions among some leaders of the synagogues, the matter became public when the two Boards of Directors were asked for their input.[9] The membership of Temple Emanuel were given presentations on possible merger in April.[11] The school enrollment had declined from 137 students in 2001 to 79 students in 2008.[11] Ultimately, after 2/3 of congregants indicated that they preferred independence in balloting the following month, the congregation decided overwhelmingly to remain independent.[12][13]

In 2010, Temple Emanuel mounted an exhibition of black and white photographs of Albanian Muslims who rescued 2,000 Jews during the Holocaust.[14][15] Its rabbi said a goal of the congregation with the exhibit was "to tell people ... these are examples of Muslim-Jewish respect, tolerance and love."[16]

Services, classes, and programs

The synagogue provides Shabbat and Sunday religious services.[1] Temple Emanuel instituted its Sunday services in 1958, decades after the Sunday-Sabbath movement in American Reform Judaism had largely ended.[17]

It also provides Sunday religious school and Hebrew in preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah, as well as Torah study and adult learning courses. In addition, it provides programs on interfaith issues and family learning, as well as youth and senior programs.[1]

Membership, clergy, and leadership

As of 2016, the synagogue had a membership of about 250 families.[1]

Temple Emanuel's Senior Rabbi is Elizabeth Hersh. Its Rabbi Emeritus and Senior Scholar is Dr. Joseph R. Rosenbloom, who has been rabbi at the synagogue for more than 42 years.[1][18] Since 1977, the temple's "Cantorial Soloist" has been Malachi Owens, a non-Jewish African American who worked as an electrical engineer and has also been a Baptist minister since 1998.[19][20][21]

Design

Its 1962 building in the St. Louis suburb of Creve Coeur, Missouri, was designed by architect William Bernoudy, of the firm Bernoudy-Mutrux-Bauer, which was known for its originality.[22][23][24][25] It was designed in the shape of the six-pointed Jewish star.[26][27][28] The congregation owns the building, and the land on which it sits.[12] The St. Louis County Historic Buildings Commission has named the synagogue an outstanding example of mid-century Modern architecture worthy of preservation.[22]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Temple Emanuel 0 comments. "Temple Emanuel". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  2. ↑ Betsy Sheldon (2001). The Jewish travel guide. Hunter Publishing, Inc,. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  3. ↑ George McCue (1967). The building art in St. Louis: two centuries: a guide to the architecture of the city and its environs. St. Louis Chapter, American Institute of Architects. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Temple Emanuel Congregation". History Happened Here. Missouri Historical Society. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 Kassander, Jill (September 19, 2006). "Temple celebrates half century mark". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  6. ↑ Central Conference of American Rabbis (1980). Journal of Reform Judaism. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  7. ↑ CCAR journal. 1950. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  8. ↑ Oded Rosen (1983). The Encyclopedia of Jewish institutions: United States & Canada. Mosadot Publications. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  9. 1 2 Matthew Hathaway (March 6, 2008). "Two Reform Jewish congregations may merge". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  10. ↑ Sherwin, Mike (March 12, 2008). "Temples to consider merger". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  11. 1 2 Kassander, Jill (May 1, 2008). "Temple Emanuel discusses options for future". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  12. 1 2 Kassander, Jill (February 11, 2009). "Temple Emanuel looks to its future". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  13. ↑ Kassander, Jill (May 7, 2008). "Vote favors stand alone option at T.E.". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  14. ↑ Proud, Kelsey (December 17, 2010). "Temple Emanuel photography exhibit highlights Albania, living with "besa" or "word of honor"". St. Louis Public Radio. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Temple Emanuel to Host Holocaust Photo Exhibit Of Albanian Muslims Who Saved Jews". Jewish in St. Louis. September 14, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  16. ↑ Baugher, David (October 13, 2010). "Photo exhibit focuses on Muslims who saved Jews during WWII". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  17. ↑ Olitzky, Kerry M. (1982). The Sunday-Sabbath Movement in American Reform Judaism: Strategy or Evolution? (PDF). American Jewish Archives. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  18. ↑ Joseph R. Rosenbloom (2006). Secret Bible: A Secular Approach. Sts. Jude imPress. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Malachi Owens, Cantorial Soloist" at Temple Emanuel website (accessed June 29, 2011).
  20. ↑ "Dual life: Baptist minister also serves as Jewish cantor", KSDK, October 13, 2009.
  21. ↑ "The Electrical Engineer That Could", Washington University in St. Louis Magazine, Fall 2005.
  22. 1 2 St. Louis County Historic Buildings Commission (June 3, 2007). Mid-Century Modern Architecture in St. Louis County; Outstanding Examples Worthy of Preservation (PDF). Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  23. ↑ Architecture: the AIA journal. June 16, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  24. ↑ Gateway heritage: quarterly journal of the Missouri Historical Society, Volumes 21–22. Missouri Historical Society. 2000. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  25. ↑ "Retelling of Temple Emanuel Story Starts with Bernoudy-Mutrux-Bauer". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 13, 2002. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  26. ↑ William Adair Bernoudy, Architect: Bringing the Legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright to St. Louis, Osmund Overby (University of Missouri Press)
  27. ↑ "Temple Emanuel looks to its future," Jill Kassander, St Louis Jewish Light, February 11, 2009, retrieved June 23, 2011.
  28. ↑ Modern Architecture in St. Louis: Washington University and Postwar American Architecture, 1948–1973, Eric Mumford, Washington University Press, 2004.
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