Congregation Beth Emeth
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
StatusActive
Location
Location100 Academy Road, Albany, Albany County, New York 12208
CountryUnited States
Congregation Beth Emeth is located in New York
Congregation Beth Emeth
Location in New York
Geographic coordinates42°38′48″N 73°47′04″W / 42.646776°N 73.78444°W / 42.646776; -73.78444
Architecture
Architect(s)
TypeSynagogue
Date established1885 (as a congregation)
Completed
  • 1887 (Lancaster & S. Swan Sts.)
  • 1957 (Academy Road)
Website
bethemethalbany.org

Congregation Beth Emeth (transliterated from Hebrew as "House of Truth") is a Reform Jewish synagogue located at 100 Academy Road, in Albany, Albany County, New York, in the United States. Established in 1885, it is the fourth oldest Reform congregation in the United States.[1]

History

The congregation was formed in 1885 with the merger of a 'dwindling' Orthodox congregation, Anshe Emeth ("People of Truth") and a 'growing' Reform congregation, Beth El ("House of God").[2] Reform pioneer Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise led 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 to Cincinnati.[3]

In 1897 the newly merged congregation elected Dr. Alexander Lyons as the new Rabbi.

Martin A. Meyer served as rabbi from 1903 to 1906,[4]: 517  and Samuel H. Goldenson served 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

The congregation's 1887 building, located at Lancaster and South Swan Streets in Albany, is considered to be one of the few surviving 19th-century synagogues in the United States.[5] The architect was Adolph Fleischman, with help from Isaac Perry.[6] The building is in Richardson Romanesque style. As of 1993 it was the home of the Wilborn 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 by Percival Goodman.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ a b Snyder, Patricia, ed. (n.d.). "Our history" (PDF). Congregation Beth Emeth. Retrieved December 29, 2023.[self-published source?]
  2. ^ Waite, Diana S. (1993). Albany architecture: a guide to the city. Preservation League of New York State. p. 135.
  3. ^ "Isaac Mayer Wise". Jewish Virtual Library.
  4. ^ a b Landman, Isaac, ed. (1942). The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia. Vol. 7. New York, N.Y.: The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, Inc. p. 517 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Gordon, Mark W. (1996). "Rediscovering Jewish Infrastructure: Update on United States Nineteenth Century Synagogues". American Jewish History (2019 article update ed.). 84 (1): 20–27.
  6. ^ a b c Waite, Diana S. Architects in Albany. Mount Ida Press. p. 70.
  7. ^ "History". Congregation Beth Emeth, Albany, NY. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008. Retrieved May 10, 2010.[self-published source?]

External links

Synagogues in the United States
Categories