Temple Beth Israel (Jackson, Michigan)

Beth Israel
Hebrew: בית ישראל
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
LeadershipRabbi S. Robert Morais
StatusActive
Location
Location801 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson, Michigan 49202
CountryUnited States
Temple Beth Israel (Jackson, Michigan) is located in Michigan
Temple Beth Israel (Jackson, Michigan)
Location in Michigan
Geographic coordinates42°14′51″N 84°25′25″W / 42.24741°N 84.423473°W / 42.24741; -84.423473
Architecture
TypeSynagogue
Date established1862 (as a congregation)
Completed1949
Website
tbijackson.org

Temple Beth Israel (Hebrew: בית ישראל) is a Reform Jewish synagogue located at 801 West Michigan Avenue in Jackson, Michigan, in the United States.[1] Formed in 1862 by Jews of German background, it grew out of the Hebrew Benevolent Society, which had been organized in 1858, and was the second Reform congregation in Michigan.[2]

After meeting in downtown Jackson in two different buildings, the congregation moved to its current site, on Michigan Avenue, that was dedicated in 1949 and remodelled following a fire in 1971. The congregation's cemetery is the oldest Jewish cemetery in continuous use and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 2009.[3][4]

Dr. Jonathan V. Plaut, the son of the late rabbi Dr. W. Gunther Plaut, joined as rabbi in 2000 and served the congregation until his death in 2012.[5] In September 2011 Rabbi S. Robert Morais became Beth Israel's rabbi.

  1. ^ "Homepage". Temple Beth Israel. n.d. Retrieved March 29, 2009.[self-published source?]
  2. ^ "Temple History". Temple Beth Israel. n.d. Retrieved August 29, 2009.[self-published source?]
  3. ^ Harr, Monetta (April 20, 2012). "Temple Beth Israel celebrating 150th anniversary with smaller but passionate congregration". Michigan Live. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  4. ^ Demeter, Nancy Ford (March 3, 2009), NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM: Hebrew Cemetery
  5. ^ "Rabbi Jonathan V. Plaut, D.H.L., D.D." Temple Beth Israel. Retrieved August 29, 2009.[self-published source?]