Temple Israel of Hollywood

Temple Israel of Hollywood is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in the United States. Founded in 1926, the congregation initially held services in the Hayakawa Mansion before the first Temple Israel building was established on Ivar Street under the leadership of Rabbi Isadore Isaacson. Temple Israel moved to its current location on Hollywood Boulevard in 1948. It has traditionally had a large number of film actors, writers, directors and producers as members.

Temple Israel of Hollywood
The synagogue building, in 2009
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
LeadershipRabbi Mari Chernow
StatusActive
Location
LocationHollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
CountryUnited States
Temple Israel of Hollywood is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Temple Israel of Hollywood
Location in Los Angeles, California
Geographic coordinates34°6′5″N 118°20′57″W / 34.10139°N 118.34917°W / 34.10139; -118.34917
Architecture
Architect(s)
TypeSynagogue architecture
Date established1926 (as a congregation)
Completed1948
Website
tioh.org

Today[when?] Temple Israel is nearly 900 families strong, and includes three schools. It is led by Rabbi Mari Chernow as Senior Rabbi.

History edit

Temple Israel was founded in 1926 by seven men, five of whom were prominent in the film industry, including Sol M. Wurtzel, Isadore Bernstein, and Edward Laemmle. They wanted to fill the need for social services and a house of worship for the Hollywood Jewish community. A former church on Ivar Street was purchased, and served the Temple over the next two decades before the size of the congregation necessitated a larger building.

The current temple was built in 1948 and has been expanded several times. It was designed by architects Samuel E. Lunden, who also designed the Los Angeles Stock Exchange Building and interior of the St. Vincent de Paul Church[1] and S. Charles Lee, the designer of the Hollywood Melrose Hotel and Tower Theatre.[2] At the temple's dedication ceremony, a small orchestra played Poem Ancien, composed by Alexander Borisoff for cello and narrator. Edward G. Robinson narrated at the ceremony.[citation needed]

Shortly after its founding, the Temple began staging its Midnight Show, a fundraiser that over the years saw such stars as Benny Rubin, Lucille Ball, Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Shirley MacLaine, and Lena Horne perform on behalf of the Temple.[citation needed]

Rabbi Max Nussbaum served as Rabbi from 1943, until his death in 1974, after Rabbi Morton Bauman left to serve in World War II. Cantor Saul Silverman served alongside Nussbaum, and served the Temple for over 39 years. During Nussbaum's tenure Temple Israel established itself as a great friend of Israel, raising large sums for the fledgling state.[citation needed] Many famous speakers were also brought in to speak before the congregation including Rabbis Mordechai Kaplan, Leo Baeck, and Stephen S. Wise. Harry Belafonte, Leon Uris, and Theodore Bikel also spoke before the congregation; and in 1965 Martin Luther King Jr. gave a rousing speech from the bima.[citation needed]

After the death of Rabbi Nussbaum, Rabbi Haskell Bernat led the congregation. Cantor Aviva Rosenbloom came to the Temple at the same time and would serve as Cantor for over 30 years. After Rabbi Daniel Polish served a short term as senior Rabbi, Rabbi John Rosove led the Congregation in 1988 until 2019.[citation needed]

Danny Maseng, a prominent composer and singer, served as chazzan from 2008 to 2015.[3]

In January 2015, the Temple celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s visit with a celebratory evening featuring speeches from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and talk show host and author Tavis Smiley.[4]

Rabbi Mari Chernow was appointed as the congregation's first female senior rabbi in July 2021.

In October 1957 the Temple acquired and commenced operating the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.[5]

Trivia edit

Notable current and former members and congregants edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Roger Hayward: Renaissance Man". Special Collections & Archives Research Center. Oregon State University. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  2. ^ Holland, Les (July 5, 2014). "Scanning From Coast To Coast". LiDAR News. Frederick, MD: Spatial Media LLC. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015.
  3. ^ "Moving and Shaking: Temple Israel of Hollywood Cantor". Jewish Journal.
  4. ^ "Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 'I hope nothing happens to me,' King said". The Los Angeles Times. January 19, 2015.
  5. ^ "Our History". Temple Israel of Hollywood.[self-published source?]
  6. ^ "Actress Elizabeth Taylor dies". Baltimore Jewish Times. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. March 23, 2011.

Further reading edit

External links edit