Temple Israel (Duluth, Minn.) records

Temple Israel in Duluth, Minnesota, began in 1969 with the merger of two different Jewish synagogues with long histories -- Temple Emanuel and Tifereth Israel.

Temple Emanuel, which was Duluth's first Jewish congregation, was founded in 1891 by German and Hungarian Jews and was affiliated with the Reform tradition. Incorporated in 1896, they built their first permanent house in 1904 at Second Street and Seventh Avenue East.

Tifereth Israel was founded in 1893 by Eastern European Jews and Orthodox services were held in a private residence at Fifth Street and Third Avenue East. By 1922 a new building was opened at 302 East Fourth Street. Due to this location they became known as the "Fourth Street shul." By 1945 the congregation became affiliated with the Conservative movement.

In 1969, due to a declining population of Duluth Jews, the two synagogues chose to merge their congregations and their names to become Temple Israel, with services held in the Temple Emanuel building. In 1974 the congregation moved to the Jewish Education Center (which had been built in 1951) and the space was remodeled to create a sanctuary. The building, located at Second Street and Sixteenth Avenue East, still houses the congregation, which now follows the Reform and Reconstructionist traditions. It currently stands as the only full-service synagogue on the North Shore in Minnesota.



Source: "Temple Israel, Duluth." MNopedia, Minnesota Historical Society.