Temple Emanu-El (Dallas)

Temple Emanu-El of Dallas, Texas (founded in 1875) was the first Reform Jewish congregation in North Texas, and is the largest synagogue in the South.

For similarly named synagogues, see Emanu-El.

History

Temple Emanu-El of Dallas was founded in 1873 and chartered in 1875. Originally called the Jewish Congregation Emanu-El, it was renamed Temple Emanu-El Congregation in 1974. The small but growing Jewish community sought a permanent religious structure as well as for a rabbi to conduct services and to offer religious education for children, so several families formed Congregation Emanu-El. They elected David Goslin president; Philip Sanger vice president; Emanuel Tillman treasurer; H. Regensburger secretary; and Alexander Sanger, August Israelsky, and Henry Loeb trustees. The next year they built a small red brick temple in the Byzantine style at Commerce and Church (now Field) streets in downtown Dallas. The congregation engaged its first rabbi, Aaron Suhler, in 1875 and joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in 1906.

In 1957 the temple moved to its present location in north Dallas. Architects Howard R. Meyer and Max M. Sandfield, with noted California architect William Wurster as consultant, received an Award of Merit from the American Institute of Architects for the design of the present structure, which was enhanced by art coordinator György Kepes of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Notable rabbis at the temple were David Lefkowitz (1920–49) and Levi A. Olan (1949–72).

Notable members have included Hattie Leah Henenberg.[1]

Locations

Temple Emanu-El has had four locations in its history:

  • Commerce Street (1876–1898)
  • Ervay Street (1899–1917)
  • South Boulevard (1917–1956)
  • Hillcrest Road (1957–present)

Core values

According to Temple Emanu-El's website, "Temple Emanu-El is a vibrant Reform Jewish community that strives to be a place of sacred encounter. It is a place where learning, prayer and deeds change people's understanding of themselves, of their world and their responsibilities in it."

Clergy

The current members of the Temple Emanu-El clergy are:

  • Rabbi David E. Stern (Senior Rabbi)
  • Rabbi Debra J. Robbins
  • Rabbi Kimberly Herzog Cohen
  • Rabbi Daniel Utley
  • Rabbi Amy Ross (educator)
  • Cantor Vicky Glikin (Senior Cantor)
  • Cantor Leslie Niren

Past Temple Emanu-El senior rabbis include:[2]

Past assistant and associate rabbis and cantors include:

  • Rabbi Irwin Goldenberg
  • Rabbi Ellen Lewis
  • Rabbi Richard Harkavy
  • Rabbi Liza Stern
  • Rabbi Mark Kaiserman
  • Rabbi Peter Berg
  • Cantor Annie Lynn Bornstein
  • Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg
  • Rabbi Oren J. Hayon
  • Rabbi Asher Knight
  • Cantor Richard Cohn

Past educators include:

  • Rabbi Adam Allenberg
  • Rabbi Barry Diamond
  • Raymond Israel

Music

Temple Emanu-El is nationally renowned for its music programs. Samuel Adler created many of the Temple's early musical offerings including their extensive volunteer adult and children's choirs. Simon Sargon expanded the choir's influence and created programs such as the Showcase Series (showcasing jazz, classical, and pops musicians).

References
  1. "HENENBERG, HATTIE L." tshaonline.org. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  2. A Light in the Prairie, Gerry Cristol, TCU Press (1998)
  3. Singer, Isidore; George Alexander Kohut; Cyrus Adler. "Kohut, Alexander". Jewish Encyclopedia.

See also

32.867506°N 96.785318°W / 32.867506; -96.785318

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