Temple Emanuel (Pueblo, Colorado)

Temple Emanuel
The synagogue, in 2012
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
LeadershipRabbi Birdie Becker (Emerita)
StatusActive
Location
Location1325 North Grand Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado 81003
CountryUnited States
Temple Emanuel (Pueblo, Colorado) is located in Colorado
Temple Emanuel (Pueblo, Colorado)
Location in Colorado
Geographic coordinates38°16′47″N 104°36′44″W / 38.27965°N 104.61211°W / 38.27965; -104.61211
Architecture
Architect(s)Jacob M. Gile
TypeSynagogue architecture
Style
Date established1898 (as a congregation)
Completed1900
Specifications
Direction of façadeEast
MaterialsBrick, sandstone, asphalt
Website
templeemanuelpueblo.net
Temple Emanuel
Arealess than one acre
NRHP reference No.96000273
Added to NRHPMarch 14, 1996
[1]

The Temple Emanuel is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 1325 North Grand Avenue, in Pueblo, Colorado, in the United States.

Built in 1900,[2][3] the synagogue is located in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city of Pueblo.[4] The Temple Emanuel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 14, 1996.[1]

History

In 1895, the Jewish population of Pueblo, Colorado was about forty to fifty families, which was large enough to organize the first Orthodox congregation known as B'nai Jacob.[4] A Reform Jewish group called The Ladies Temple Association was formed three years later in 1898, which later became known as the Temple Emanuel congregation.[4] Temple Emanuel is the city of Pueblo’s oldest synagogue, however the Jewish community had existed many years prior.[3]

The synagogue building was designed by Pueblo-based architect and builder, Jacob M. Gile;[4][5] and was designed in the Queen Anne style with Neoclassical and Richardsonian Romanesque influences.[4] The building has had limited alterations since it was finished in 1900.[4] The masonry one-story building has a front-gabled roof, two polygonal towers, and an entry protected by a Syrian arch.[4] In 1963, a separate temple education building was completed, and it is a brick structure in the shape of the Star of David.[4] The education building is a non-contributing property.[4]

2019 Plotted attack

In 2019, the temple was threatened with violence by a white supremacist, who was intercepted by the FBI.[6][7] Richard Holzer, aged 28 years who self-identified as a Neo-Nazi and white supremacist, pleaded guilty to intentionally attempting to obstruct persons in the enjoyment of their free exercise of religious beliefs, through force and the attempted use of explosives and fire. In February 2021 Holzer was sentenced to 19 years in custody.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ Sword, Loretta (June 18, 2011). "In the spotlight". The Pueblo Chieftain. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Bartolo, James (August 27, 2019). "The rich history of Temple Emanuel". The Pueblo Chieftain. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Kramer, Kerry Marie; Hudson, Kathleen (August 3, 1995). "Inventory-Nomination: Temple Emanuel". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved June 5, 2021. With accompanying 12 photos from 1995
  5. ^ "Pueblo Colorado, Colorado: Jacob M. Gile".
  6. ^ Estabrook, Rachel (November 5, 2019). "'For People Not To Be Armed, They're Crazy,' Says Leader Of Pueblo Synagogue Threatened By White Supremacist". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  7. ^ Shapiro, Ari (February 28, 2020). A Colorado Synagogue Struggles To Make Sense Of A Violent White Supremacist Threat (transcript and streaming audio). All Things Considered. National Public Radio. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "Southern Colorado Man Sentenced to More Than 19 Years for Plotting to Blow Up Synagogue" (Press release). Office of Public Affairs, Department of Justice. February 26, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2024.