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OrganizationJewish Eligibility — Verified by JWR

Temple B’nai Israel

Oklahoma’s oldest active Jewish congregation, formed in Oklahoma City in May 1903.

4901 N. Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112, United StatesFounded 1903

Temple B’nai Israel historical marker

Wikimedia CommonsSource

About

Temple B’nai Israel was founded in Oklahoma City in May 1903 as a Reform congregation. In its earliest years the community worshipped in temporary quarters, including local churches, before laying the cornerstone for its first permanent house of worship at 50 Broadway Circle in 1907; that building was dedicated in January 1908. As the congregation grew, it added the Temple Center in 1926 for education and communal activities. A new campus at 4901 North Pennsylvania Avenue was begun in 1954 and dedicated in 1955. Additional school rooms and Krouch Hall were added in 1962. In April 1970 a tornado severely damaged the Temple, after which the building was reconstructed with broad local support. The congregation has continued as an active center of Reform Jewish worship, education and interfaith community life.

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Records held by Temple B’nai Israel

Temple B’nai Israel historical marker
JWR VerifiedFounding Record
Jewish Heritage · Jewish CommunitiesOldest

Oldest Active Jewish Congregation in Oklahoma

Record holder

Temple B’nai Israel

Record value

May 1903

Temple B’nai Israel is recognized by JWR as the oldest active Jewish congregation in Oklahoma. The record is held by the continuing congregation, not by any one synagogue building. Founded in Oklahoma City in May 1903, the congregation has occupied several sites while maintaining an ongoing institutional identity. Its official history traces the community from its formation through its first permanent synagogue and later campuses. JWR’s statewide comparison also considered earlier or near-contemporary Jewish communities. Temple Emeth in Ardmore was organized earlier, in 1890, but later dissolved; Emanuel Synagogue in Oklahoma City was formally chartered in 1904, and Temple Israel in Tulsa dates to 1914. B’nai Emunah developed from an early minyan but was formally organized later. The record therefore measures continuous congregational existence and present activity, not the age of a surviving building.

Country
United States
Achievement location
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Achievement date
May 1903
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