Temple Beth Israel
Congregation Beth Israel was established in San Diego in 1861 on the leading edge of what the San Diego History Center calls the “The Glory Years, 1865-1899.” The general population growth, fueled by the railroads, was reflected in the congregation and, in 1889, they built their first synagogue, Temple Beth Israel, at Second Avenue and Beech Street. The congregation moved to a new, larger synagogue in 1926 and the building passed through numerous hands and uses until it was scheduled for demolition in the early 1970s. Congregation Beth Israel repurchased the building in 1977 and arranged to have it moved to Heritage Park. After the move, it took another nine years to raise funds for its restoration which was completed in 1988.
Heritage County Park, San Diego, San Diego County
Photographer: John Bare