List of the oldest synagogues in the United States

Last updated

Touro Synagogue, Newport, Rhode Island (founded c. 1658, built 1759-63) Touro Synagogue, Newport, Rhode Island.jpg
Touro Synagogue, Newport, Rhode Island (founded c. 1658, built 1759–63)
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, Charleston, South Carolina (founded 1749, built 1840-41) Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, Charleston, SC (49330765257).jpg
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, Charleston, South Carolina (founded 1749, built 1840–41)
Congregation Shearith Israel, New York, New York (founded 1654, built 1896-97) Congregation Shearith Israel 001.JPG
Congregation Shearith Israel, New York, New York (founded 1654, built 1896–97)

Synagogues may be considered "oldest" based on different criteria such as oldest surviving building or oldest congregation. Some older synagogue buildings have been in continuous use as synagogues, while others have been converted to other purposes, and a few, such as the Touro Synagogue, were shuttered for many decades. Some early established congregations have been the in continuous existence, while other early congregations have ceased to exist.

Contents

Oldest congregations

Sephardi congregations

All of the oldest congregations in the new world were founded by Sephardi Jews and followed the Sephardic liturgy.

Congregation Mickve Israel, Savannah, Georgia (founded 1733, built 1876-78) GA Savannah HD Mickve sq pano01.jpg
Congregation Mickve Israel, Savannah, Georgia (founded 1733, built 1876–78)

Ashkenazi congregations

Until 1795, all documented congregations in the United States followed the Sephardic minhag. However, many included Ashkenazi members as well.

Oldest existing buildings

This list includes only buildings originally built as synagogues that are still standing. Some continue in use as Jewish houses of worship; others have been adaptively reused. Fewer than 100 purpose-built synagogues constructed prior to 1900 remain standing. [5] A portion of these are highlighted below.

Plum Street Temple, Cincinnati, Ohio (1865-66) Plum Street Temple 1.jpg
Plum Street Temple, Cincinnati, Ohio (1865–66)

By state

Adas Israel, Washington, D.C. (1876) Adas Israel Synagogue.JPG
Adas Israel, Washington, D.C. (1876)

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Temple Beth-El, Pensacola, Florida (1933) Templebethel.jpg
Temple Beth-El, Pensacola, Florida (1933)

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kentucky

Kansas

Louisiana

Shaare Tefilah, New Orleans, Louisiana (1860-65) JacksonAvMonkey18Oct2008.jpg
Shaare Tefilah, New Orleans, Louisiana (1860–65)

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Temple Israel, Boston (1884-85) 600 Columbus Ave Boston.jpg
Temple Israel, Boston (1884–85)

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Temple Emanu-El, Helena, Montana (1890-91) Temple Emanu-El 02.jpg
Temple Emanu-El, Helena, Montana (1890–91)

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

Building at 637 Garden Street, Hoboken, in Hudson County, built in 1883 Adas Emuno Synagogue Hoboken, Hudson County 02.jpg
Building at 637 Garden Street, Hoboken, in Hudson County, built in 1883

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

B'nai Israel, Galveston, Texas (1870) 1870 B'nai Israel Temple, Galveston.jpg
B'nai Israel, Galveston, Texas (1870)

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Gates of Heaven, Madison, Wisconsin (1863) Gates of Heaven Synagogue 2012.jpg
Gates of Heaven, Madison, Wisconsin (1863)

Wyoming

See also

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