Behold Temple Sherith Israel a beacon of history and faith. Founded in 1851 during the Gold Rush it is one of the oldest synagogues in the United States. The history of Temple Sherith Israel mirrors San Francisco’s own story. It is a tale of gold fire earthquakes scandals and resilience.
In 1849 months after gold was discovered Jewish pioneers gathered in a tent. They sought to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These pioneers came from Prussia Bavaria England France and the eastern United States. They established a permanent congregation in April 1851. Almost immediately they split forming two synagogues. Congregation Sherith Israel followed Polish traditions. Congregation Emanu-El followed German practices. Despite the split they remained friendly neighbors.
Keeping Temple Sherith Israel housed proved challenging. The Great Fire of 1851 destroyed its first meeting place. Another fire destroyed the next home. In 1854 members built their first house of worship on Stockton Street for $10000. By the end of the 1850s six percent of San Francisco’s population was Jewish. In 1870 Congregation Sherith Israel moved to a Gothic-style structure on Post and Taylor Streets. They remained there for 34 years.
Initially Orthodox Temple Sherith Israel transitioned to Reform Judaism. They introduced mixed seating Friday evening services a choir and a new prayer book. In 1903 ground broke for the current site on California Street. Congregation Sherith Israel joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. It is now known as the Union for Reform Judaism.
The Temple Sherith Israel sanctuary is a fusion of Byzantine and Romanesque styles. It cost $250000 to build in 1904-1905. The structure rises 140 feet above California Street. Its dome is 60 feet wide and visible throughout San Francisco. The interior spans 20000 square feet and contains 3500 organ pipes. It also includes nearly 1400 seats and 1109 decorative light bulbs. Furthermore the sanctuary has more than 89 ornamental leaded glass windows. It also features 32 arched clear glass windows in its outer drum.
During the 1906 earthquake the building sustained modest damage. Repairs were completed quickly. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake did not damage it. In 2017 the congregation completed a seismic retrofit of the sanctuary.
Albert Pissis an École des Beaux-Arts-trained architect designed the sanctuary. The design team envisioned a unified whole. Art and architecture support and enhance each other. The sanctuary was consecrated on September 24 1905. Improvements have been made through the years. The sanctuary has been preserved close to its original design. Sherith Israel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.
The sanctuary showcases early 20th-century craftsmanship. Carved Honduran mahogany adorns the bimah ark and pews. Bronze light fixtures illuminate the space. Polished marble floors add elegance. Stained oak doors and trim complete the interior. Vibrant warm colors and intricate frescoes decorate the walls and dome. Attilio Moretti guided the interior painting. His collaboration created a beautifully integrated work of synagogue art.
Classic Judaic symbols line the dome. They include the Ten Commandments a Shabbat menorah and a shofar. Also featured are a Torah lulav eternal light Megillah scroll and Chanukah menorah. A column representing the first Temple washing of hands and a priestly breastplate appear.
Emile Pissis designed the Moses window on the west wall. He also designed seven other windows in the sanctuary. The Murray Harris organ contains over 3500 pipes. It is considered a treasure of American organ building.
Temple Sherith Israel stands as a testament to faith resilience and architectural beauty. It is a living part of San Francisco’s history. The Temple Sherith Israel welcomes visitors from all over the world.