The Temple is notable not only for its size, but for its unique Modernist architecture.
History
A group of parents in the area first had the idea to form a synagogue in the 1940s as a way to further their children's religious education.[4][5] They founded St. Louis School for Judaism in September 1953 and organized the synagogue in 1956, choosing the name "Temple Emanuel" on December 16, 1956.[6][7][4][5] It was the first Reform congregation founded in St. Louis in 70 years.[5] The congregation initially had 48 families, and services were held at the Bible Presbyterian Church.[4] Construction at the Conway Road site began in September 1961, and the completed building was dedicated in January 1963.[4] The synagogue is affiliated with [the Union for Reform Judaism, which was formerly called] the UAHC.[8]
In March 2008, the synagogue and Temple Israel in Creve Coeur (which had approximately 1,000 families) announced a plan to merge, which would have created a congregation of 1,400 families, one of the area's largest Reform Jewish congregations.[9][10] After two months of discussions among some leaders of the synagogues, the matter became public when the two Boards of Directors were asked for their input.[9] The membership of Temple Emanuel were given presentations on possible merger in April.[11] The school enrollment had declined from 137 students in 2001 to 79 students in 2008.[11] Ultimately, after 2/3 of congregants indicated that they preferred independence in balloting the following month, the congregation decided overwhelmingly to remain independent.[12][13]
In 2010, Temple Emanuel mounted an exhibition of black and white photographs of Albanian Muslims who rescued 2,000 Jews during the Holocaust.[14][15] Its rabbi said a goal of the congregation with the exhibit was "to tell people ... these are examples of Muslim-Jewish respect, tolerance and love."[16]
Services, classes, and programs
The synagogue provides Shabbat and Sunday religious services.[17]
Temple Emanuel instituted its Sunday services in 1958, decades after the Sunday-Sabbath movement in American Reform Judaism had largely ended.[18]
It also provides Sunday religious school and Hebrew in preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah, as well as Torah study and adult learning courses. In addition, it provides programs on interfaith issues and family learning, as well as youth and senior programs.[17]
Membership, clergy, and leadership
As of 2016, the synagogue had a membership of about 250 families.[17]
Temple Emanuel's Senior Rabbi is Elizabeth Hersh. Its Rabbi Emeritus and Senior Scholar is Dr. Joseph R. Rosenbloom, who has been rabbi at the synagogue for more than 42 years.[17][19] Since 1977, the temple's "Cantorial Soloist" has been Malachi Owens, a non-Jewish African American who worked as an electrical engineer and has also been a Baptist minister since 1998.[20][21][22]
The St. Louis County Historic Buildings Commission has named the synagogue an outstanding example of mid-century Modern architecture worthy of preservation.[23]
^Modern Architecture in St. Louis: Washington University and Postwar American Architecture, 1948–1973, Eric Mumford, Washington University Press, 2004.
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