Temple Shalom (Wheeling, West Virginia)

History

Temple Shalom is the result of the merger of several smaller congregations with Congregation L'Shem Shomayim (Hebrew, meaning "For the sake of Heaven") which was founded in 1849 by Jews who had immigrated from German-speaking Central European nations. It is the oldest Jewish congregation in West Virginia.

Abba Hillel Silver served as its rabbi for two years (1915–1917), immediately after his graduation and ordination at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati.

In April 1892, the congregation dedicated an elaborate Moorish Revival synagogue on Eoff Street, known as the Eoff Street Temple. The building featured a dome, keyhole door and elaborate keyhole windows. This building was used until 1957 when the Woodsdale Temple was built on Bethany Pike. In 1974 the Woodsdale Temple (Reform) and the Synagogue of Israel (Conservative) merged to form Temple Shalom. In 1986 Agudas Achim Congregation of nearby Bellaire, Ohio closed and its members joined Temple Shalom. The Eoff Street synagogue was later demolished.

Notes

References

References

1. (n.d.). "Temple Shalom - Congregation L'Shem Shomayim". West Virginia Jewish History.
2. "Abba Hillel Silver: The Wheeling years". Cleveland Jewish History.
3. Hill Shevitz, Amy. (2007). "Jewish Communities on the Ohio River: A History". University Press of Kentucky.
4. (March 29, 1892). "Eoff Street Temple". Wheeling Daily Intelligencer.