Temple Isreal

Jewish history in Terre Haute started in 1827 with the first land purchase by one Mr. Samuel Judah. This man later became one of Indiana's legislators. He rose to become the 25th General Assembly of the state of Indiana. This is just the great start of the Jewish history in Terre Haute.

The next big event that took place for Jewish history was the purchase of land for burial at 1st and 8th ave. Quickly followed by the formation of a burial society. This burial society formed the first Jewish congregation in Terre Haute.

The picture I have above is where the Jews now have Temple. The neo-classical structure dates back to the 1900's. It was designed and built by Simeon Eisendrath. At this period in time there were two Jewish congregations. The reformed congreagtion for whom the temple was built and the orthodox congregation who was in a synagogue in Farrington's Grove. That synagogue would later be the senior center that now stands today. The two congregations merged in 1936 with what is to be the first record of orthodox and reformed Jews merging together in the United States.

I was unable to venture inside this beautiful building, but from the reading I have done on it I found out that it has a half-dome skylight. I would love to get in and see the beauty this building has to hold. But for now I'm just left with what my imagination has to hold.