Temple B'Nai Israel (Olean, New York)

Temple B'Nai Israel
Temple B'Nai Israel, April 2012
Location 127 S. Barry St., Olean, New York
Coordinates 42°04′35″N 78°25′39″W / 42.07639°N 78.42750°W / 42.07639; -78.42750Coordinates: 42°04′35″N 78°25′39″W / 42.07639°N 78.42750°W / 42.07639; -78.42750
Area less than one acre
Built 1929
Architect Hurd, J. Milton
NRHP reference # 11000995[1]
Added to NRHP January 4, 2012

Temple B'Nai Israel is a historic Reform Jewish congregation established in the 1880s, located in Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York.[2]

B'Nai Israel's current synagogue building is a three- to four-story tall, light brown brick structure with terra cotta decorative details.[2] Built in 1929, it measures 85 feet long, 42 feet wide, and 50 feet tall.[2] The front facade features a massive arched terra cotta portal encircling a large, round stained glass window.[2] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.[1]

As of 2017, synagogue membership had fallen to 23 families; this was the first year a rabbi was not hired to lead Rosh Hashanah services.[3] B'Nai Israel still held regular services twice a month, but was reported to be in jeopardy of closing within the decade because of the ongoing exodus of young people away from the Olean area.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 1/03/12 through 1/06/12. National Park Service. 2012-01-13.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Virginia L. Bartos (October 2011). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Temple B'Nai Israel". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2013-04-20. See also: "Accompanying six photos".
  3. 1 2 Dinki, Tom. "Dwindling B’Nai Israel congregation celebrates Rosh Hashanah", Olean Times Herald, September 21, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2018


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