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JWR VerifiedJWR-2026-000114

Oldest Surviving Synagogue Building in Idaho

Record holder

Congregation Ahavath Beth IsraelPlace

Record value

Congregation Beth Israel formed in 1895; historic synagogue completed and in use by 1896; building survives and remains in Jewish worship use after intact relocation in 2003

Country: United StatesAchievement location: Boise, United StatesAchievement date: 1896Current record

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Verified by Jewish World RecordsHow we verify records

Historic Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Boise, Idaho

The historic Beth Israel synagogue at its original State Street location, photographed in March 1974 before the intact building was relocated to Latah Street in 2003.Historic American Buildings Survey / Library of Congress; photograph by Duane GarrettLibrary of Congress HABS ID-26 / Wikimedia CommonsPublic domain

Official record definition

The oldest surviving purpose-built synagogue building in the U.S. state of Idaho, regardless of later relocation of the intact historic structure.

Measurement methodology

documented construction chronology plus surviving-building comparison across Idaho synagogue sites

Measurement point: same purpose-built historic synagogue building; intact relocation does not reset building age

Record story

Boise's historic Beth Israel synagogue is a rare surviving landmark of Jewish life in the American West. Congregation Beth Israel was organized in 1895 and the purpose-built synagogue was completed and in use by 1896. In 2003 the historic building was moved intact from State Street to Latah Street, preserving the same nineteenth-century structure. It continues to serve Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel.

How JWR verified this record

Verification date
29 September 2026
Verification standard
JWR Verification Standard 1.0

Achievement evidence

National Park Service/National Register evidence and Boise institutional history identify the historic Beth Israel synagogue as Idaho's earliest surviving purpose-built synagogue structure; the building was erected in 1895-1896 and survives after relocation.

Superiority evidence

Idaho state-level counter-search found no earlier surviving purpose-built synagogue building. The historic Beth Israel/Ahavath Beth Israel structure predates other documented Idaho synagogue buildings; relocation in 2003 preserved the same building identity.

Achievement / record verification

Evidence establishing that the holder achieved the result and holds the record as defined.

  • Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel History — Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel
  • Ahavath Beth Israel — Synagogues360 — Synagogues360 / ANU Museum of the Jewish People

Superiority / counter-candidate verification

Evidence comparing the result with other candidates relevant to the record claim.

  • Ahavath Beth Israel Synagogue — Idaho Heritage Trust
  • Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel Synagogue — SAH Archipedia

Jewish eligibility, achievement and superiority evidence retain their separate classifications and are never merged. Context and provenance are not presented as proof of the achievement. Restricted evidence and internal research notes are never published. Learn more about the seven-stage process on the verification page.

Sources & Verification

  • Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel History

    Official recordCongregation Ahavath Beth Israel

    What this proves: Congregation formed in 1895; historic synagogue built in 1895-1896; 1986 merger; 2003 relocation; continuing synagogue use.

  • Ahavath Beth Israel Synagogue

    Official recordIdaho Heritage Trust

    What this proves: Beth Israel formed in 1895; synagogue constructed a year later; among oldest synagogue buildings in continuous use in the United States; moved from State Street to Latah Street in 2003.

  • Ahavath Beth Israel — Synagogues360

    Official recordSynagogues360 / ANU Museum of the Jewish People

    What this proves: Building in continuous use since 1896; constructed in 1896; moved intact to Latah Street in 2003.

  • Historic American Buildings Survey: Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue

    Official recordLibrary of Congress / Historic American Buildings Survey· March 1974

    What this proves: Exact historic synagogue building at original State Street location; HABS provenance supports approved GREEN HERO/ENTITY media path.

  • Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel Synagogue

    Independent publicationSAH Archipedia

    What this proves: Identifies the 1896 Boise synagogue as the oldest building of its type in Idaho and documents its current 11 N. Latah Street location.

History

  1. Publishedv1

    Published to the official JWR registry.

  2. Verified

    Verified according to JWR Verification Standard 1.0.

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