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Temple De Hirsch Sinai

November 30, 2023

For similarly named synagogues, see Temple Sinai.

Temple De Hirsch Sinai is a Reform Jewish congregation with campuses in Seattle and nearby Bellevue, Washington, USA. It was formed as a 1971 merger between the earlier Temple De Hirsch (Seattle, founded 1899) and Temple Sinai (Bellevue, founded 1961)[1] and is the largest Reform congregation in the Pacific Northwest.[2]

Temple De Hirsch Sinai
The Alhadeff Sanctuary of Temple De Hirsch Sinai, in Seattle.
Religion
AffiliationReform Jewish
Location
LocationSeattle and Bellevue, Washington

The old Temple De Hirsch building (or Old Sanctuary) was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but was demolished in 1993. Part of the façade remains.[3][4]

Temple De Hirsch edit

When Seattle's "quasi-Reform" Ohaveth Sholum Congregation, founded 1889, disbanded because of financial hardships after the Panic of 1893,[5] Seattle's liberal Jews were left without a synagogue.[2] Temple De Hirsch was founded as a specifically Reform synagogue in 1899, named after Jewish philanthropist Baron Maurice de Hirsch.[6]

 
This Jewish New Year card, circa 1908, features the original, then-new, Temple De Hirsch. Although listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was demolished in 1993.

Construction of a synagogue was begun at Boylston Avenue and Marion Street in Seattle.[2][6] A cornerstone was laid in 1901,[2][6] and a basement was built; the congregation held services in the vestry,[2] but rapid growth of the congregation led to the construction of a larger building at Union Street and 15th Avenue.[2][6]

Construction on the new Temple De Hirsch designed by Seattle-based architect Julian F. Everett was begun in 1907, completed in 1908, and dedicated on the congregation's ninth anniversary, May 29, 1908.[2] An adjacent Temple Center opened in 1924, housing a religion school and other organizations; a wing was added in 1951.[6]

This temple building was demolished in 1993[6] after an unsuccessful attempt to work out a way to repurpose it as an arts venue. That effort did, however, end up salvaging a different former religious building: Seattle's Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, now Town Hall Seattle.[3]

The current sanctuary at 16th Avenue and Pike Street—the opposite corner of the same block as the old temple—was completed in 1960.[6] That current building was designed by B. Marcus Priteca, John Detlie, and John Peck.[2] Priteca was a noted theater architect: he designed all of Alexander Pantages' theaters between 1910 and 1929, as well as the landmark Seattle synagogue, Chevra Bikur Cholim (1912), now the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center.[7][8]

 
Remains of the old temple (2008)
 
This stained glass window depicting Moses with the Tablets, now on the western side of the Schoenfeld-Gardner Chapel of Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Seattle, was salvaged from the 1908 Temple De Hirsch, where it was located on the east end, over the Ark and Torah. The text at the bottom says "In memory of Fred Schwabacher the gift of his mother".

A Ladies Auxiliary (now the Women of Reform Judaism) was formed within months of the congregation's founding; a Temple Men's Club (now the Men of Reform Judaism) followed in 1920.[6]

The first rabbi of Temple De Hirsch was Theodore Joseph from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His successor, Samuel Koch, was senior rabbi from 1906 to 1942. During Koch's time, Temple De Hirsch solidified its position as an important and steadily expanding congregation, with a religion school attended not only by children of the congregation but by some whose parents were not Reform Jews. In 1909, Koch established a newsletter, Temple Tidings, initially a weekly and later a monthly (currently bi-monthly) publication.[6]

Upon Koch's retirement, he was succeeded by Raphael H. Levine, who served as senior rabbi from 1942 to 1970. Levine was a devoted ecumenicist, co-hosting a television program called Challenge with a Catholic priest and a Protestant minister. Challenge aired for 14 years, first on KOMO-TV and later on KING-TV, both in Seattle. Rabbi Levine also founded the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, the ecumenical Camp Brotherhood, a religious, educational, and cultural center for Christians and Jews, and co-founded Camp Swig, an educational and recreational camp for Jewish youth,[6] and played a significant role in the expansion of Children's Orthopedic Hospital, now Seattle Children's.[2]

Rabbi Levine's successor, Earl S. Starr, was senior rabbi from 1970. He saw through the merger of congregations and remained senior rabbi of Temple De Hirsch Sinai until 2001. Like all of his predecessors at Temple De Hirsch, he carried on a long tradition of community service and outreach.[6]

Temple De Hirsch has at least two claims to fame in the history of music. Samuel E. Goldfarb, co-composer of the Hanukkah song "I Have a Little Dreidel" was music director of Temple De Hirsch from 1930 to 1968. Using a farm system that allowed youth to "graduate" from one level of choir to another, he created one of the country's finest temple choirs.[6] Perhaps more unusually, Jimi Hendrix played his first professional gig as a musician in the Temple De Hirsch basement; he was fired mid-performance for his wild playing.[9]

 
Temple De Hirsch Sinai Bellevue campus (2009).
 
Interior, Home of Peace Mausoleum, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Queen Anne Hill, Seattle, Washington.

Temple De Hirsch Sinai retained both the Temple De Hirsch facility (its "Seattle Campus") and the Temple Sinai facility (its "Bellevue campus"). The original Bellevue facility was sold in 2001, when a new facility was constructed in the Eastgate area of Bellevue. Rabbi Starr served as senior rabbi until his retirement in July 2001, when he was succeeded by Daniel A. Weiner, who currently holds the position.[2] The Seattle building shares facilities with a local private school, the Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Bellevue facility shares facilities with the Emerald Heights Academy.[10]

Libraries edit

The Temple De Hirsch Sinai Libraries were founded in 1908 and continue to provide a wealth of information for the congregation and community. In both Seattle and Bellevue sites, the system contains over 10,000 books, periodicals and CDs, with a specialty in materials on Judaism, history, culture, holiday and the Holocaust.[11] The Benjamin Zukor Children's Library composes about one third of the total library collection and is spread over both library sites. It contains fiction and non-fiction for children and teens.[12]

Notes edit

  1. ^ The Jewish Experience in Washington State: A Chronology 1845–2005, Washington State Jewish Historical Society, 2006. p. 21–23.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lee Micklin, Temple de Hirsch - Sinai, HistoryLink, October 30, 1998. Accessed online 2009-10-08.
  3. ^ a b Reuben McKnight, Town Hall: A Case Study 2009-08-05 at the Wayback Machine, Preservation Seattle (newsletter of Historic Seattle), November 2002. Accessed online 2009-10-08.
  4. ^ Temple De Hirsch, Archiplanet. Accessed online 2009-10-11.
  5. ^ The Jewish Experience in Washington State: A Chronology 1845–2005, Washington State Jewish Historical Society, 2006. p. 10–11.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Guide to the Temple De Hirsch Sinai Records: 1883-2001, University of Washington Library Special Collections. Accessed online 2009-10-08.
  7. ^ B. Marcus Priteca (1889-1971), Puget Sound Theater Organ Society. Accessed online 2009-10-08.
  8. ^ Walt Crowley & Paul Dorpat, National Trust Guide to Seattle, John Wiley and Sons, 1998, ISBN 0-471-18044-0, p. 144.
  9. ^ Charles R. Cross, Beyond a Broken Boyhood, Pacific Northwest magazine (Sunday supplement to the Seattle Times, August 7, 2005. Excerpted and condensed from Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix (Hyperion Books, 2005). Accessed online 2009-10-11.
  10. ^ Nash, Daniel (November 12, 2013). "Interfaith reading days at Temple De Hirsch Sinai use the joy of hearing, telling stories". Bellevue Reporter. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  11. ^ American Library Directory. Vol. 2 (64th ed.). Information Today, Inc. 2011–2012. pp. 2568–2576. ISBN 978-1-57387-411-3.
  12. ^ "About the Temple De Hirsch Sinai Libraries". Temple De Hirsch Sinai. Retrieved June 13, 2023.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Temple De Hirsch Sinai.
  • Official website

November 30, 2023
temple, hirsch, sinai, similarly, named, synagogues, temple, sinai, reform, jewish, congregation, with, campuses, seattle, nearby, bellevue, washington, formed, 1971, merger, between, earlier, temple, hirsch, seattle, founded, 1899, temple, sinai, bellevue, fo. For similarly named synagogues see Temple Sinai Temple De Hirsch Sinai is a Reform Jewish congregation with campuses in Seattle and nearby Bellevue Washington USA It was formed as a 1971 merger between the earlier Temple De Hirsch Seattle founded 1899 and Temple Sinai Bellevue founded 1961 1 and is the largest Reform congregation in the Pacific Northwest 2 Temple De Hirsch SinaiThe Alhadeff Sanctuary of Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle ReligionAffiliationReform JewishLocationLocationSeattle and Bellevue WashingtonThe old Temple De Hirsch building or Old Sanctuary was listed on the National Register of Historic Places but was demolished in 1993 Part of the facade remains 3 4 Contents 1 Temple De Hirsch 2 Libraries 3 Notes 4 External linksTemple De Hirsch editWhen Seattle s quasi Reform Ohaveth Sholum Congregation founded 1889 disbanded because of financial hardships after the Panic of 1893 5 Seattle s liberal Jews were left without a synagogue 2 Temple De Hirsch was founded as a specifically Reform synagogue in 1899 named after Jewish philanthropist Baron Maurice de Hirsch 6 nbsp This Jewish New Year card circa 1908 features the original then new Temple De Hirsch Although listed on the National Register of Historic Places it was demolished in 1993 Construction of a synagogue was begun at Boylston Avenue and Marion Street in Seattle 2 6 A cornerstone was laid in 1901 2 6 and a basement was built the congregation held services in the vestry 2 but rapid growth of the congregation led to the construction of a larger building at Union Street and 15th Avenue 2 6 Construction on the new Temple De Hirsch designed by Seattle based architect Julian F Everett was begun in 1907 completed in 1908 and dedicated on the congregation s ninth anniversary May 29 1908 2 An adjacent Temple Center opened in 1924 housing a religion school and other organizations a wing was added in 1951 6 This temple building was demolished in 1993 6 after an unsuccessful attempt to work out a way to repurpose it as an arts venue That effort did however end up salvaging a different former religious building Seattle s Fourth Church of Christ Scientist now Town Hall Seattle 3 The current sanctuary at 16th Avenue and Pike Street the opposite corner of the same block as the old temple was completed in 1960 6 That current building was designed by B Marcus Priteca John Detlie and John Peck 2 Priteca was a noted theater architect he designed all of Alexander Pantages theaters between 1910 and 1929 as well as the landmark Seattle synagogue Chevra Bikur Cholim 1912 now the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center 7 8 nbsp Remains of the old temple 2008 nbsp This stained glass window depicting Moses with the Tablets now on the western side of the Schoenfeld Gardner Chapel of Temple De Hirsch Sinai Seattle was salvaged from the 1908 Temple De Hirsch where it was located on the east end over the Ark and Torah The text at the bottom says In memory of Fred Schwabacher the gift of his mother A Ladies Auxiliary now the Women of Reform Judaism was formed within months of the congregation s founding a Temple Men s Club now the Men of Reform Judaism followed in 1920 6 The first rabbi of Temple De Hirsch was Theodore Joseph from Lancaster Pennsylvania His successor Samuel Koch was senior rabbi from 1906 to 1942 During Koch s time Temple De Hirsch solidified its position as an important and steadily expanding congregation with a religion school attended not only by children of the congregation but by some whose parents were not Reform Jews In 1909 Koch established a newsletter Temple Tidings initially a weekly and later a monthly currently bi monthly publication 6 Upon Koch s retirement he was succeeded by Raphael H Levine who served as senior rabbi from 1942 to 1970 Levine was a devoted ecumenicist co hosting a television program called Challenge with a Catholic priest and a Protestant minister Challenge aired for 14 years first on KOMO TV and later on KING TV both in Seattle Rabbi Levine also founded the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis the ecumenical Camp Brotherhood a religious educational and cultural center for Christians and Jews and co founded Camp Swig an educational and recreational camp for Jewish youth 6 and played a significant role in the expansion of Children s Orthopedic Hospital now Seattle Children s 2 Rabbi Levine s successor Earl S Starr was senior rabbi from 1970 He saw through the merger of congregations and remained senior rabbi of Temple De Hirsch Sinai until 2001 Like all of his predecessors at Temple De Hirsch he carried on a long tradition of community service and outreach 6 Temple De Hirsch has at least two claims to fame in the history of music Samuel E Goldfarb co composer of the Hanukkah song I Have a Little Dreidel was music director of Temple De Hirsch from 1930 to 1968 Using a farm system that allowed youth to graduate from one level of choir to another he created one of the country s finest temple choirs 6 Perhaps more unusually Jimi Hendrix played his first professional gig as a musician in the Temple De Hirsch basement he was fired mid performance for his wild playing 9 nbsp Temple De Hirsch Sinai Bellevue campus 2009 nbsp Interior Home of Peace Mausoleum Mt Pleasant Cemetery Queen Anne Hill Seattle Washington Temple De Hirsch Sinai retained both the Temple De Hirsch facility its Seattle Campus and the Temple Sinai facility its Bellevue campus The original Bellevue facility was sold in 2001 when a new facility was constructed in the Eastgate area of Bellevue Rabbi Starr served as senior rabbi until his retirement in July 2001 when he was succeeded by Daniel A Weiner who currently holds the position 2 The Seattle building shares facilities with a local private school the Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Bellevue facility shares facilities with the Emerald Heights Academy 10 Libraries editThe Temple De Hirsch Sinai Libraries were founded in 1908 and continue to provide a wealth of information for the congregation and community In both Seattle and Bellevue sites the system contains over 10 000 books periodicals and CDs with a specialty in materials on Judaism history culture holiday and the Holocaust 11 The Benjamin Zukor Children s Library composes about one third of the total library collection and is spread over both library sites It contains fiction and non fiction for children and teens 12 Notes edit The Jewish Experience in Washington State A Chronology 1845 2005 Washington State Jewish Historical Society 2006 p 21 23 a b c d e f g h i j Lee Micklin Temple de Hirsch Sinai HistoryLink October 30 1998 Accessed online 2009 10 08 a b Reuben McKnight Town Hall A Case Study Archived 2009 08 05 at the Wayback Machine Preservation Seattle newsletter of Historic Seattle November 2002 Accessed online 2009 10 08 Temple De Hirsch Archiplanet Accessed online 2009 10 11 The Jewish Experience in Washington State A Chronology 1845 2005 Washington State Jewish Historical Society 2006 p 10 11 a b c d e f g h i j k l Guide to the Temple De Hirsch Sinai Records 1883 2001 University of Washington Library Special Collections Accessed online 2009 10 08 B Marcus Priteca 1889 1971 Puget Sound Theater Organ Society Accessed online 2009 10 08 Walt Crowley amp Paul Dorpat National Trust Guide to Seattle John Wiley and Sons 1998 ISBN 0 471 18044 0 p 144 Charles R Cross Beyond a Broken Boyhood Pacific Northwest magazine Sunday supplement to the Seattle Times August 7 2005 Excerpted and condensed from Room Full of Mirrors A Biography of Jimi Hendrix Hyperion Books 2005 Accessed online 2009 10 11 Nash Daniel November 12 2013 Interfaith reading days at Temple De Hirsch Sinai use the joy of hearing telling stories Bellevue Reporter Retrieved January 13 2020 American Library Directory Vol 2 64th ed Information Today Inc 2011 2012 pp 2568 2576 ISBN 978 1 57387 411 3 About the Temple De Hirsch Sinai Libraries Temple De Hirsch Sinai Retrieved June 13 2023 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Temple De Hirsch Sinai Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Temple De Hirsch Sinai amp oldid 1186612564, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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