Ahavath Beth Israel (Boise, Idaho)

Ahavath Beth Israel
Ahavath Beth Israel
	Ahavath Beth Israel synagogue, in 2010
Religion
Affiliation	Reform Judaism
Rite	Nusach Ashkenaz
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Synagogue
Leadership	Rabbi Daniel B. Fink
Status	Active
Location
Location	11 North Latah Street, Boise, Idaho 83706
Country	United States
	Location in Idaho
Geographic coordinates	43°36′19″N 116°13′48″W / 43.60528°N 116.23000°W
Architecture
Architect(s)	Chestney & Schroeder
Type	Synagogue architecture
Style	Rundbogenstil; Moorish Revival;
General contractor	Judkins & Co.
Date established	1986 (merged congregation) 1895 (as Beth Israel); 1912 (as Ahavath Israel);
Groundbreaking	1895
Completed	1896 (State Street); 2003 (Relocated);
Construction cost	$3,159
Materials	Wood, shingles
Website
	cabi-boise.org
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
NRHP reference No.	72000432
Added to NRHP	November 3, 1972

Ahavath Beth Israel, officially Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel (transliterated from Hebrew as "Love of the House of Israel"), is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 11 North Latah Street, in Boise, Idaho, in the United States. Its 1896 building is amongst the oldest synagogues in continuous use west of the Mississippi River.^[1] The congregation is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.^[2]

History

Boise's first Jews were present in the mining camps in the 1860s, but it was not until 1895 that Congregation Beth Israel (Hebrew for "House of Israel") was formed. Most of the congregants were from Germany^[3] and Central Europe and the synagogue followed the Reform tradition.^[4] Moses Alexander, mayor of Boise and governor of Idaho, was an early leader of the congregation.

The building was erected in 1896, and given a careful restoration in 1982.^[5]

Congregation Ahavath Israel (Hebrew for "Love of Israel") was founded in 1912 by Orthodox immigrants from Eastern Europe.^[4] The congregation erected a building at the corner of 27th and Bannock Streets in 1947. The two congregations merged in 1986 to become Ahavath Beth Israel.^[5]

A personal memoir/history of Congregation Ahavath Israel was written by one of its member leaders, the late Mr. Joel Stone; a copy of this book is obtainable through the congregation's lending library. A more comprehensive history of Ahavath Beth Israel (which focuses more on Beth Israel's history) was also privately published for limited release by a former member, and is likewise available through the congregation.^{[citation needed]}

Building

The synagogue's wood-shingled 1896 building blends two architecture styles popular with turn-of-the-century Jewish congregations. The exterior is mainly the popular Rundbogenstil style, though the tall windows flanking the large, rose window are in the form of Horseshoe arches. This Moorish Revival detail continues on the inside, where the barrel-vaulted ceiling is supported by horseshoe arches. The architect described the building as designed in a modern Moorish style.^[6]

In 1972 the synagogue was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2003 the building was moved from its original location on State Street to its current location on Latah Street. During the move documentation was discovered showing the original construction was partially financed by Marshall Field and Levi Strauss & Co.^[7]

References

^ Sheldon, Betsy (2001). The Jewish Travel Guide. Hunter Publishing, Inc.
^ "Home page". Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel. n.d. Retrieved February 16, 2018.^{[self-published source?]}
^ "BOISE SYNAGOGUE GETS IDAHO'S FIRST PERMANENT RABBI". South Florida Sun Sentinel. November 25, 1994. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
^ ^a ^b Abrams, Jeanne E. (2006). Jewish Women Pioneering the Frontier Trail: A History in the American West. NYU Press. p. 101ff.
^ ^a ^b "A Brief History". Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved December 16, 2008.^{[self-published source?]}
^ Stolzman, Henry; Hausman, Tami; Stolzman, Daniel (2004). Synagogue Architecture in America: Faith, Spirit & Identity. Images. p. 131.
^ "Treasure Valley is home to many religions". Idaho Statesman.

External links

Media related to Ahavath Beth Israel (Boise, Idaho) at Wikimedia Commons

Official website

[1] Sheldon, Betsy (2001). The Jewish Travel Guide. Hunter Publishing, Inc.

[2] "Home page". Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel. n.d. Retrieved February 16, 2018.^{[self-published source?]}

[3] "BOISE SYNAGOGUE GETS IDAHO'S FIRST PERMANENT RABBI". South Florida Sun Sentinel. November 25, 1994. Retrieved February 5, 2020.

[NYU_Press_2006-4] Abrams, Jeanne E. (2006). Jewish Women Pioneering the Frontier Trail: A History in the American West. NYU Press. p. 101ff.

[ahavathbethisrael.org-5] "A Brief History". Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved December 16, 2008.^{[self-published source?]}

[6] Stolzman, Henry; Hausman, Tami; Stolzman, Daniel (2004). Synagogue Architecture in America: Faith, Spirit & Identity. Images. p. 131.

[7] "Treasure Valley is home to many religions". Idaho Statesman.

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