Temple Beth El Jefferson City, MO

HISTORY

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Temple Beth El was constructed in 1883 and is the oldest reform temple west of the Mississippi on its original site and in continuous use since its construction.

According to the history of Temple Beth El written by Mrs. Julius Meyerhardt in 1974, records indicate that there were Jewish settlers in Jefferson City as early as 1865. In 1879 nine Jewish men formed the Jefferson City Hebrew Cemetery Association to properly provide Jewish burials. At that time they also organized a congregation, naming it “Congregation Beth El”, which means House of God, to promote the Jewish faith.

On April 3, 1882, the six members of the Hebrew Ladies Sewing Society provided the funds to purchase a plot of land and construct the synagogue in the three hundred block of Monroe Street. One year later, in 1883, their house of worship was completed!

FACTS

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* The original building had no running water, no bathroom, and no electricity.

* The Congregation does not have a Rabbi. Members of the congregation take turns leading the services.

* The original purchase price for the land was $250.

* The only public fundraising program in the history of the Congregation was in 1968. Tickets were sold to see the movie, Thoroughly Modern Mille.

* The building was designed by prominent, local architect Frank B. Miller, who also designed the Cole County Courthouse.

THE FOUNDERS

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There were six women who secured the money for the land and the building of Temple Beth El. They were the Hebrew Ladies Sewing Society. A plaque on the wall of the Temple pays tribute to them.
* Mrs. Carrie Bodenheimer
* Mrs. Emily Hochstadter
* Mrs. Matilda Wolferman
* Mrs. Hannah Straus
* Mrs. Carrie Vetsburg
* Mrs. Minnie Goldman

SERVICES

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Worship services are conducted by the congregation at seven thirty on Friday nights and on the High Holy Days.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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Correspondence to Temple Beth El should be sent to:

Temple Beth El
318 Monroe St.
PO Box 1576
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-635-3088