PlaceJewish Eligibility — Verified by JWR

Beth El Synagogue

Historic 1886 synagogue in Traverse City, Michigan, continuously used for Jewish worship since its dedication.

Traverse City, Michigan, United StatesFounded 1885

Beth-El Synagogue in Traverse City, Michigan

About

Beth El Synagogue in Traverse City was begun in 1885 and completed and dedicated in March 1886. The building has remained in Jewish worship use ever since, which is the defining basis of this record. In 2015, Congregation Beth El merged with Ahavat Shalom to form Congregation Beth Shalom, and the merged congregation continues to worship in the historic synagogue. JWR therefore treats the synagogue building itself—not the later merged congregation—as the record holder. Historic 1886 synagogue in Traverse City, Michigan, continuously used for Jewish worship since its dedication. In Jewish World Records, Beth El Synagogue is connected to the record “Oldest Synagogue in Continuous Use in Michigan,” based on the stored achievement of Built in 1886. In Traverse City, a modest nineteenth-century synagogue has remained a Jewish house of worship for well over a century.

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Records held by Beth El Synagogue

JWR Verified

Jewish HeritageOldest

Oldest Synagogue in Continuous Use in Michigan

Record holder

Beth El Synagogue

Record value

Built in 1886

The synagogue building in Traverse City holds the record as the oldest in the U.S. state of Michigan to have remained in continuous use for Jewish worship. The structure, originally known as Beth El Synagogue, was built in 1886. Construction began in 1885, with the building’s formal completion and dedication taking place in March 1886. Since that date, the site has served without interruption as a Jewish house of worship for the local community.

Country: United States
Achievement location: Traverse City, Michigan, United States
Achievement date: March 1886

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