Ahavath Beth Israel (Boise, Idaho)

Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel
Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel
	Ahavath Beth Israel in January 2010
Religion
Affiliation	Reform Judaism
Rite	Ashkenazi
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Active Synagogue
Leadership	Rabbi Daniel B. Fink;
Location
Location	Boise, Idaho, USA
Architecture
Architect(s)	Chestney & Schroeder
Style	Rundbogenstil and Moorish Revival
General contractor	Judkins & Co.
Groundbreaking	1895
Completed	1896 (relocated 2003)
Construction cost	US$ 3159
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Added to NRHP	November 3, 1972
NRHP Reference no.	72000432
Website
	http://cabi-boise.org

Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel is a synagogue in Boise, Idaho. 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 a 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 Reformed ritual.^[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 "Lovers of The House 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.

Building[]

Ahavath Beth Israel Synagogue

The synagogue's wood-shingled 1896 building blends two architecture styles popular with turn-of-the-century Jewish congregations. The exterior is in mainly in 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[]

^ The Jewish Travel Guide, By Betsy Sheldon, Hunter Publishing, Inc, 2001
^ "Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel (CABI)". www.ahavathbethisrael.org. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
^ "BOISE SYNAGOGUE GETS IDAHO'S FIRST PERMANENT RABBI". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
^ ^a ^b Jewish Women Pioneering the Frontier Trail: A History in the American West, Jeanne E. Abrams, Published by NYU Press, 2006, p. 101ff.
^ ^a ^b A Brief History of Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel "History". Archived from the original on 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
^ Synagogue Architecture in America: Faith, Spirit & Identity, Henry Stolzman, Tami Hausman, Daniel Stolzman, Images, 2004, p. 131
^ Treasure Valley is home to many religions