Temple of Israel (Wilmington, North Carolina)

The Temple of Israel is a Reform Jewish synagogue located on the corner of Fourth and Market Streets in Wilmington, North Carolina, in the United States.^[1] Built in 1876, the Temple of Israel is the oldest synagogue in North Carolina and one of the earliest Reform synagogues in the American South.^[2][3][4]

Temple of Israel
Temple of Israel façade
Religion
Affiliation	Reform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Synagogue
Year consecrated	May 12, 1876
Status	Active
Location
Location	1 South Fourth Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
Country	United States
Location in North Carolina
Geographic coordinates	34°14′08″N 77°56′40″W
Architecture
Architect(s)	Samuel Sloan
Type	Synagogue
Style	Greek Revival Moorish Revival
Date established	1872 (as a congregation)
Completed	1876
Specifications
Dome(s)	Two
Materials	Masonry; stucco
Website
temple-of-israel.org

History

Sephardic Jews first arrived in North Carolina during the early 18th century.^[3] By 1852, a Jewish Burial Society was formed in Wilmington with a Hebrew cemetery opening in 1855.^[5] An Orthodox Jewish congregation was formed in 1867, but did not succeed. In 1872, a Reform congregation was started by German Jews and their synagogue, the Temple of Israel, was dedicated on May 12, 1876.^[3][6]

Architecture

Designed by Samuel Sloan,^[7] the synagogue is a combination of Greek Revival and Moorish Revival styles. The Moorish architecture is unique in the city of Wilmington, but was common during late 19th century for many American synagogues. The synagogue features horseshoe arches and twin towers topped with golden onion domes.^[3][8] The building's exterior was restored in 1982, 2000 and 2013.^[6] It is a contributing building in the Wilmington Historic District.

Notable members

• Arthur Bluethenthal^[9] (1891–1918), Princeton All American football player and World War I pilot