Temple Beth El is a Reform Jewish synagogue, affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.
Established as Knoxville Hebrew Benevolent Association
A. Schwab was one of 7 Jewish families living in Knoxville. His 18-year-old-son Joseph died fighting for the Confederacy in Virginia. There was no Jewish cemetary in Knoxville, so two other local Jewish merchants donated a small piece of land for this purpose. Together, the families formed the Hebrew Benevolent Association to take care of the cemetary and help local Jews. The first 25 members worshipped in the basement of Herman Spiro’s vinegar store at State Street at Union Ave using vinegar barrels as seats.
Tennessee Charter
A charter was received from the State of Tennessee
Julies Ochs gave sermons
Julies Ochs was not an official rabbi but served the community in many capacities until the early 1870s.
Constitution and by-laws finalized
The initial constitution, along with by-laws, was finalized. While no building was erected, services took place in different locations, including members’ homes and rented halls.
Joined Union of American Hebrew Congregations
The association joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, founded by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise in Cincinnati. Membership became official in 1875.
Name changed to Temple Beth El
Formed both a religious school and a precursor to Sisterhood – the Ladies’ Hebrew Benevolent Association. This organization became Temple Beth El Ladies Auxiliary and finally Temple Beth El Sisterhood after affiliating with the National Federation Temple Sisterhoods. (Temple Beth El was officially incorporated in 1893)
Worship was in various places
Despite acquiring a Sefer Torah, shofar, prayerbooks, and textbooks, the congregation couldn’t secure sufficient funds for a permanent House of Worship. Services were held in Knights of Honor Hall, Masonic Temple and Lyceum Building and homes of members. High Holy Day services were held in First Presbyterian Church. The congregation had only 15 members by 1880.
First student rabbi
The first student rabbi was brought in in 1888 from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati who served Beth El for 34 yeares. property was acquired for the current New Jewish Cemetery co-owned by Temple Beth El and Heska Amuna Synagogue.
Heska Amuna formed
Part of the congregation formed a traditional synagogue called Heska Amuna.
Pilgrim Congregational Church becomes first congregational building
The Pilgrim Congregational Church on the corner of Broadway and West Vine Avenue was purchased for $5,000. Max Arnstein was the largest donor. The synagogue held 200 people and 6 classrooms. Temple Beth El dedicated its new home with the Torah being carried to the Holy Ark and the Eternal Light kindled on September 20, 1914. There was no official rabbi and students served on Holy Days.
First Confirmation Class
There were four people in the first confirmation class. The image depicts a re-enactment of the first confirmation class from the 100th year anniversary of the temple.
Rabbi Jerome Mark became the first resident rabbi. He previously served a congregation in Helena, Arkansas. He left in 1926 to serve as rabbi in Melbourne, Australia where he established the “first of liberal Judaism south of the equator.” He returned in 1939. Rabbi Mark was born in Lithuania which was under Russian control at the time of his birth. He immigrated to Baltimore at the age of 7 and studied at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. He received his bachelor’s from the Univeristy of CinCinnati. While in Tennessee he received a master’s in English at University of Tennessee. He also studied at Johns Hpking and University of Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Anstein purchase a community center
Mr. Arnstein purchased a building adjoining the temple as a Jewish Community Center . The center was dedicated in 1930. It had a library, game rooms, kitchen, gymnasium and auditorium.
Joint Sunday School formed
A joint Sunday school was formed with Heska Amuna. The cen
The following rabbis served intermittently: Rabbi Milton Greenwald (1928-1932), Rabbi Ephraim Rosenzweig (1932-1933), Rabbi Norbert Rosenthal (1933-1934), and Rabbi Ralph Blumenthal (1934-1938).
Rabbi Jerome Mark returned to Temple Beth El with his wife and daughters.
Rabbi Dr. Luitpold Wallach occupied the pulpit, followed by Rabbi Leo J. Stillpass.
The temple had 98 members.
Temple Beth El’s 80th birthday
Rabbi Paul Liner accepted the rabbinate but was called for duty as a Jewish Chaplain in the U.S. Army. Rabbi Dr. Solomon Foster served out his term until retiring in 1952.
The beginning of a new era for Temple Beth El with Rabbi Meyer Marx accepting the rabbinate. Rabbi Marx served until 1963 providing stability to the spiritual leadership of Temple Beth El. The temple experienced stability in the rabbinate, flourishing religious activities, and religious school under Temple supervision. A Building Committee was formed to seek land for a new Temple building.
The current property was bought with an initial gift from Mr. and Mrs. Max B. Arnstein.
Ground-breaking ceremonies.
The current Temple Beth El building designed by architect Sam Good was dedicated in September. It had an estimated cost of $250,000 and was the first Jewish synagogue built in Knoxville by a Jewish Congregation. The Arnstein family were again major benefactors.
The congregation has 150 members.
Rabbi Harold Rubens assumed the pulpit.
The temple expanded and renovated to accommodate growth to over 200 families.
To learn more about the history of Jews in the Knoxville area, visit https://www.isjl.org/tennessee-knoxville-encyclopedia.html
About the URJ
The Reform Movement in America began when Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise introduced Reform Judaism to the United States in 1846. He brought with him a new Jewish orientation emerging in Central and Western Europe to reforming Judaism—that is, introducing modifications to make Judaism relevant and meaningful in an emerging modern society. The early Reformers were the Jewish theological innovators of their generation.
Today, this proud tradition continues. The Reform movement and its synagogues are the spiritual and communal homes for the largest number of Jews in North America. Some of its guiding principles include:
- Immersion in study (Torah), prayer (avodah) and the performance of good deeds (gemilut chasadim)
- Personal responsibility for religious choices based upon knowledge and commitment
- A commitment to tikkun olam—the repair of the world in partnership with God—through acts of social justice
- Full equality of women and men in all aspects of synagogue leadership and religious life (the Reform movement ordained the first woman rabbi in 1972)
- Welcoming all who wish to celebrate Jewish life—singles, families, gay/lesbian Jews, interfaith couples, retirees and young adults
- Developing and maintaining close links with the State of Israel and its citizens
The synagogue—one of Judaism’s most ancient institutions—continues to provide for the spiritual, communal and educational needs of every generation of Jews. We also strive to build in our congregation a community and a family for our membership. We are an inclusive congregation, reflecting the diversity of the American Jewish community. Those who choose to make our synagogue a part of their lives will find themselves welcomed by fellow congregants, and inspired and enriched by our shared Jewish life. We invite you to explore our website and to visit us in person to learn more about our congregation.
Additional information on Reform Judaism can be found on the website of the Union of Reform Judaism.