Temple Beth El was constructed in 1883 and is the oldest synagogue building west of the Mississippi that is still in use, and the 14th oldest in the country.
The first documented Jewish settler in Jefferson City was Morris Obermeyer, who started a mercantile business in 1844 along with his brothers Louis, Simon and Joseph. The Obermeyers were well respected members of the community and their business prospered. Morris passed away in 1876 and his body was taken to St. Louis for a proper burial. A short time later nine Jewish men formed the Jefferson City Hebrew Cemetery Association. The site of the first Jewish Cemetery, Maple Grove, was located in the 1300 block of East McCarty Street in 1879. At that time they also organized a congregation, naming it “Congregation Beth El”, which means House of God, to promote the reform Jewish faith.
In 1882 Congregation Beth El used $1800 raised by the Hebrew Ladies Sewing Society to a purchase a lot, located at 318 Monroe Street and build the synagogue. Prominent local architect, Frank B. Miller designed the Temple Beth El building. Miller later became one of the most well respected area architects designing other noteworthy buildings including the Cole County Court House, Central Trust and the original Library.
The plaque was placed in the sanctuary by the founding members thanking the Ladies of the Hebrew Sewing Society for their untiring efforts to raise the funds for the Temple. The women are listed with their first and last names which was quite unusual for the time. The plaque remains on display in the sanctuary to this day.
In the 1930s the old cemetery needed to be moved, thus a new location for Jewish burials was necessary. The Congregation entered into an agreement with Riverview Cemetery, and after gaining proper permission, 29 graves were moved to the new location.
On September 19, 1954, a statewide ceremony was held at Temple Beth El to mark the tercentenary of the first Jewish settlement in the United States. Governor Phil Donnelly signed a proclamation recognizing the event and a number of visiting Rabbis presided over services that day, including Rabbi Isserman from St. Louis. In preparation for the big event, the sanctuary was updated, and an addition was built on the back of the sanctuary with a kitchen, social area and bathroom. Prior to this addition, the building was heated with a stove, and those who needed a restroom had to use a neighboring building.
The Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the Temple was celebrated with a special service on October 20, 1957. Visiting Rabbis from St. Joseph and Kansas City officiated, and President Julius Meyerhardt gave a history of the congregation. Songs by John Rich and Bobbie Herman accompanied by local organist Carl Burkel rounded out the service.
Temple Beth El was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, as part of the Missouri State Capitol Historic District.
More recently Temple Beth El has hosted celebrations for the 100th and 125th Anniversaries. Numerous Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, baby namings, Eagle Scout ceremonies and even a few weddings have been held at the Temple through the years. The congregation currently includes about 25 families, and continues to hold Shabbat services each Friday night and also observes the major holidays.
The pandemic of 2020 brought some new technology to the Temple. Services are now offered both in-person and on Zoom each Friday. Members who cannot attend in person can still join remotely for Shabbat services.
