History
The congregation was founded in 1824 in Cincinnati, then a frontier town. On January 18, 1824, the Congregation Bene Israel was formally organized; those in attendance were Solomon Buckingham, David I. Johnson, Joseph Jonas, Samuel Jonas, Jonas Levy, Morris Moses, Phineas Moses, Simeon Moses, Solomon Moses and Morris Symonds. The congregants were primarily Spanish and Portuguese Jews who had immigrated from England. On January 8, 1830, the Ohio General Assembly granted the congregation a charter.
The leaders recognized the need for a synagogue and efforts were made to raise funds for a building. In 1836 the first home at Sixth and Broadway was consecrated. In 1852 another synagogue was built on the same site. The 1852 building was sold in 1870 to the Allen Temple AME Church.
On 27 August 1869, the congregation dedicated a magnificent building at Eighth and Mound Streets.
In 1906 the congregation moved to the Neoclassical Rockdale Temple, designed by Cincinnati architect Rudolph Tietig (1877–1958). The 1906 building no longer exists.
Since 1969, the congregation has worshiped in a new synagogue at 8501 Ridge Road in Amberley Village, Ohio. Dave Brubeck's cantata The Gates of Justice (1969) had its first performance at the new Rockdale Temple.
For thirty-one years readers or cantors conducted services. In 1855, Dr. Max Lilienthal was elected as the first permanent rabbi. Under Dr. Lilienthal’s leadership many reforms were introduced into the previously orthodox service and the congregation was actively involved in the beginnings of the Reform movement. Since that time there have been nine rabbis; Rabbi Sigma Faye Coran now serves the congregation.
Throughout the long history of the congregation distinguished rabbis have relied on remarkably able and committed lay leadership. Women have contributed notably, serving as presidents of the congregation as well as assistant rabbis. Rabbis and members have participated actively in communal activities in the Jewish and general community.
Read more about this topic: Rockdale Temple
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