Congregation Beth Emeth
| Congregation Beth Emeth | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 100 Academy Road,Albany,Albany County,New York12208 |
| Country | United States |
  Location inNew York | |
| Geographic coordinates | 42°38′48″N73°47′04″W/ 42.646776°N 73.78444°W |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) |
|
| Type | Synagogue |
| Date established | 1885(as a congregation) |
| Completed |
|
| Website | |
| bethemethalbany | |
Congregation Beth Emeth(transliteratedfromHebrewas "House of Truth" ) is aReformJewishsynagoguelocated at 100 Academy Road, inAlbany,Albany County,New York,in the United States. Established in 1885, it is the fourth oldest Reform congregation in the United States.[1]
History[edit]
The congregation was formed in 1885 with the merger of a 'dwindling'Orthodoxcongregation, Anshe Emeth ( "People of Truth" ) and a 'growing' Reform congregation, Beth El ( "House of God" ).[2]Reform pioneer RabbiIsaac Mayer Wiseled Beth El from 1846 to 1850 where he conducted a day school which included public school curriculum, religion & Hebrew. Due to tensions between more Orthodox congregants and the Rabbi, Anshe Emeth was created by Rabbi Wise supporters where he then led from 1850 to 1854 before relocating toCincinnati.[3]
In 1897 the newly merged congregation elected Dr. Alexander Lyons as the new Rabbi.
Martin A. Meyerserved as rabbi from 1903 to 1906,[4]: 517 andSamuel H. Goldensonserved as rabbi from 1907 to 1918.[4]: 19–20 After Rabbi Samuel the congregation was led by Rabbi Eli Mayer, Rabbi Marius Ranson, Rabbi Bernard J. Bamberger, Rabbi Samuel Wolk, Rabbi Alvin S. Roth, Rabbi Bernard H. Bloom, Rabbi Martin I. Silverman and most recently Rabbi Scott L. Shpeen.
Architecture[edit]
The congregation's 1887 building, located at Lancaster and South Swan Streets in Albany, is considered to be one of the fewsurviving 19th-century synagoguesin the United States.[5]The architect was Adolph Fleischman, with help from Isaac Perry.[6]The building is inRichardson Romanesquestyle. As of 1993 it was the home of theWilborn Temple First Church of God in Christ.[6]
In June of 1953 the building committee ratified the decision to move from Lancaster and Swan to 17 acres (6.9 ha) up town.[1]The congregation's 1957 building was designed byPercival Goodman.[6][7]
References[edit]
- ^abSnyder, Patricia, ed. (n.d.)."Our history"(PDF).Congregation Beth Emeth.RetrievedDecember 29,2023.[self-published source?]
- ^Waite, Diana S. (1993).Albany architecture: a guide to the city.Preservation League of New York State. p. 135.
- ^"Isaac Mayer Wise".Jewish Virtual Library.
- ^abLandman, Isaac,ed. (1942).The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia.Vol. 7. New York, N.Y.: The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, Inc. p. 517 – viaGoogle Books.
- ^Gordon, Mark W. (1996)."Rediscovering Jewish Infrastructure: Update on United States Nineteenth Century Synagogues".American Jewish History.84(1) (2019 article update ed.): 20–27.
- ^abcWaite, Diana S.Architects in Albany.Mount Ida Press. p. 70.
- ^"History".Congregation Beth Emeth, Albany, NY.Archived fromthe originalon July 1, 2008.RetrievedMay 10,2010.[self-published source?]
External links[edit]
- 1885 establishments in New York (state)
- 19th-century synagogues in the United States
- Buildings and structures in Albany, New York
- Jewish organizations established in 1885
- Percival Goodman synagogues
- Reform synagogues in New York (state)
- Romanesque Revival synagogues
- Romanesque Revival architecture in New York (state)
- Synagogues completed in 1887
- Synagogues completed in 1957