Temple Shalom (Wheeling, West Virginia)

Temple Shalom
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
LeadershipLay led
StatusActive
Location
Location23 Bethany Pike, Wheeling, West Virginia 26003
Temple Shalom (Wheeling, West Virginia) is located in West Virginia
Temple Shalom (Wheeling, West Virginia)
Location in West Virginia
Geographic coordinates40°4′51″N 80°41′30″W / 40.08083°N 80.69167°W / 40.08083; -80.69167
Architecture
Date established
  • 1849 (earlier congregation)
  • 1974 (merged congregation)
Completed
  • 1892 (Eoff Street)
  • 1957 (Bethany Pike)
Website
templeshalomwv.com

Temple Shalom is a Reform Jewish synagogue located at 23 Bethany Pike, Wheeling, West Virginia, in the United States. The congregation dates from 1849, with the current synagogue building completed in 1957, as the Woodside Temple.[1]

History

Temple Shalom is the result of the merger of several smaller congregations with Congregation L'Shem Shomayim (Hebrew, meaning "For the sake of Heaven") which was founded in 1849[a] by Jews who had immigrated from German-speaking Central European nations. It is the oldest Jewish congregation in West Virginia.[1]

Abba Hillel Silver served as its rabbi for two years (1915–1917), immediately after his graduation and ordination at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati.[2]

In April 1892, the congregation dedicated an elaborate Moorish Revival synagogue on Eoff Street, known as the Eoff Street Temple. The building featured a dome, keyhole door and elaborate keyhole windows.[3][4] This building was used until 1957 when the Woodsdale Temple was built on Bethany Pike. In 1974 the Woodsdale Temple (Reform) and the Synagogue of Israel (Conservative) merged to form Temple Shalom. In 1986 Agudas Achim Congregation of nearby Bellaire, Ohio closed and its members join Temple Shalom.[1] The Eoff Street synagogue was later demolished.

Notes

  1. ^ At the time, West Virginia, commonly called Trans-Allegheny Virginia, had not been formed as a state, nor joined the Union. and it was considered part of The Commonwealth of Virginia. Following the 1861 Wheeling Convention, West Virginia was officially admitted as a U.S. state on June 20, 1863.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Temple Shalom - Congregation L'Shem Shomayim". West Virginia Jewish History. n.d. Archived from the original on July 30, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  2. ^ "Abba Hillel Silver: The Wheeling years". Cleveland Jewish History. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  3. ^ Hill Shevitz, Amy (2007). Jewish Communities on the Ohio River: A History'. University Press of Kentucky. p. 140.
  4. ^ "Eoff Street Temple". Wheeling Daily Intelligencer. March 29, 1892. p. 5. Archived from the original on April 14, 2008. Retrieved September 24, 2008. The New Synagogue; Some Idea of Its Beautiful Finish and Furnishings; Splendid Memorial Windows And Carven Pulpit and Altar Presented by Members of the Congregation -- Interior Decorations of the Most Beautiful Temple of Worship in Wheeling -- The Dedication.