Lincoln, Nebraska’s Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, also known as the South Street Temple, has a proud history dating back nearly 120 years. Lincoln’s first Jewish congregation, the Temple was founded in 1884, principally by German immigrants.
The congregation's practices are in keeping with the mainstream of the Reform movement. In addition, the Temple is characterized by our acceptance of diversity within the congregational family, our embrace of intermarried families and Jews by choice, and our outreach to the larger community. We have not forgotten that we are, first and foremost, a Jewish religious institution. We have always placed a strong emphasis on the education of our children. Early in Lincoln’s Jewish history, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun had the only religious school in the community. Many local Jewish families with children belonged to both of Lincoln’s congregations so their children could receive a religious education.
Our congregation has been served by a wide variety of clergy over its history. Our current spiritual leader, Rabbi Debbie Stiel has brought new energy and ideas to the congregation, expanded our educational programs, brought us closer to the URJ movement, reengaged many members, and has fostered excellent relations with our sister congregation, Tifereth Israel (conservative), including the development of a joint High School program to begin in fall 2004. Our previous spiritual leader, Michael Weisser served the congregation for 14 years. Michael’s tenure was marked by a substantial growth in the Temple’s membership; the fostering of excellent relations with the non-Jewish community; social action; and pride in our community. Trained at HUC as a Reform Cantor, Michael emphasized the beauty of Jewish music in our services.
Because of its relatively small size and its distance from large Jewish population centers, our congregation has often been served by newly trained Rabbis. During the early years of the congregation, several young rabbis began distinguished careers in Lincoln. One of them, Rabbi Israel Mattuck went on to become the leader of the liberal Jewish movement in London. His writing appears in Gates of Repentance and he is considered one of the leaders in 20th Century Reform Judaism. Another, Rabbi Solomon Starrels, served the Reform congregation in Savannah for more than 50 years
Our Temple has always provided leaders for both the Jewish and greater Lincoln communities. A number of older families have been involved in agriculture, clothing, wholesale and retail food products, banking, auto parts, and other retail and service businesses. One of the Temple’s founders, Henry Schleisinger, helped to found the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith in 1913 after moving to Denver. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren are still members of our congregation. The current membership contains many individuals in the fields of education, law, social services and medicine.
Today the Temple is the only Reform Synagogue between Omaha and Denver. We serve Jews throughout Nebraska, including those who live in the smaller towns outside of Lincoln.
Our Temple building, our second permanent home, was built in the early 1920s. It is of the Moorish style, and is similar in appearance (albeit smaller) to its contemporary Reform Synagogues, notably Congregation Rodef Shalom in Philadelphia. It features a hand-carved walnut ark and pulpit (carved by a congregant’s father), vaulted ceilings, and a beautiful stained glass Star of David rose window. It is reminiscent of some of the surviving synagogues of eastern Europe, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today we are as large and as financially strong as we have ever been, thanks to a loyal core of members and the generosity of those who have gone before us. Our relations with fellow Jews in our community has never been better. We are dedicated to the proposition that a Reform Jewish presence in Lincoln is key to our own spiritual well being and that of our community. We believe we can offer a spiritual leader a challenging and fulfilling career as we work together to assure the continued survival and success of Reform Judaism in Nebraska’s capital city.
