History of the Jews in San Diego

The history of Jews in San Diego dates to the middle of the 19th century. Home to a Jewish community of around 100,000 people, around 3% of the metropolitan area's total population, San Diego has one of the largest Jewish populations in the United States.^[1]

1800s

Louis Rose is known as one of the first Jewish citizens in San Diego, arriving in 1850. The first Jewish religious service in San Diego was held in 1851. The first congregation called, Adat Yeshurun, later changing to Beth Israel, was founded in 1861.^[2][3][4]

In the 1870s, when the town center moved, the congregation did as well. In 1871 the first Hebrew Benevolent Society was founded by Marcus Schiller. In 1889 the first Temple Beth Israel was built at Second Avenue and Beech Street. It was occupied by the congregation until 1926.^[2][4]

1900s

Temple Beth Israel first synagogue building in Heritage Park in San Diego's Old Town area

In 1926 the Beth Israel congregation moved from the first Temple Beth Israel to a larger temple at Third and Laurel. In the 1970s, the original temple was going to be demolished but was spared due to the combined efforts of past Beth Israel President Jim Milch and other members of the congregation.^[2][4]

2000s

In October of 2001 a newer temple was erected. The numbers of Jewish citizens had grown since the first congregation in 1851.^[3]

See also

• D.Z. Akin's
• History of the Jews in Los Angeles
• Jewish Federation of San Diego County
• San Diego Jewish Academy
• San Diego Jewish Film Festival
• San Diego Jewish Journal
• San Diego Jewish World
• Torah High Schools of San Diego
• History of the Jews in the American West

References

1. "Jewish US population 2016" (PDF). Retrieved 2022-04-26.
2. "A Brief History | Congregation Beth Israel". Retrieved 2022-04-26.
3. "Judaism's Colorful History in the San Diego and Tijuana Region". San Diego History Center | San Diego, CA | Our City, Our Story. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
4. "Jewish American Heritage Month – SOHO eNews". www.sohosandiego.org. Retrieved 2022-04-26.