Congregation B'nai Jeshurun

Also known as the South Street Temple, Congregation B'nai Jeshurun is one of two Jewish synagogues in Lincoln (the other is Congregation Tifereth Israel). It was built in 1924 and is home to a Reform congregation. Its attractive design combines the Byzantine Revival and Moorish Revival styles. Notable features include the main entrance with three carved-stoned archways and columns (these contain decorative designs and geometric shapes), a large rose window, two terra cotta Tablets of the Law above the rose window, a decorative brick cornice with diamond shaped motifs, arched windows, and a large octagon dome with a clay tile roof. The temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places 1982.

The first Jews arrived in Lincoln in 1868, twelve years after the city was established. In 1884, a Jewish businessman settled in Lincoln and, seeing that no congregation had been established yet, led the effort to found Congregation B'nai Jeshurun with and five others. The next year, Lincoln became the state capital and the state legislature designated property for religious denominations to build houses of worship. Congregation B'nai Jeshurun bought two lots at 12th and D Streets for $50. Due to financial difficulties, the temple was not built until 1893 and, unfortunately, it did not attract many followers.

The present temple was built after a fire severely damaged the first one in 1922. A local firms designed it, although apparently a member of the congregation designed the dome. The building has largely remained unchanged and still features original woodwork, including the Ark that houses the Torah scrolls. The creator of the woodwork, Keats W. Lorenz, made the mahogany doors of the State Capitol’s East Legislative Chamber.

"Congregation B’nai Jeshurun: The South Street Temple of Lincoln, Nebraska – Its Early Years." Jewish Museum of the American West. Accessed April 6, 2022. http://www.jmaw.org/bnai-jeshurun-jewish-lincoln.

Gilkerson, Joni. "Temple of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/82003197_text.

"Temple of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun." Nebraska Architecture. Accessed April 6, 2022. https://nebraskaarchitecture.org/building/74/temple-of-congregation-bnai-jeshuran.