Jackson in Amador County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Site of Pioneer Jewish Synagogue

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 16, 2008

1. Site of Pioneer Jewish Synagogue Marker

Inscription. On September 18, 1857, Congregation B’nai Israel of Jackson dedicated on this site the first synagogue in the Mother Lode. High holiday worship continued until 1869 when the larger Masonic Hall was used to accommodate the congregation. The wooden structure then served as a schoolhouse until 1888. Relocated onto a nearby lot, it became a private dwelling, and was razed in 1948.

Erected 1976 by California State Department of Parks and Recreation. (Marker Number 865.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Synagogues series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 27, 1850.

Location. 38° 21.062′ N, 120° 46.392′ W. Marker is in Jackson, California, in Amador County. It is at the intersection of Church Street and North Street, on the right when traveling north on Church Street. The marker is located on the rear part of the grounds of the Jackson Elementary School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 Church Street, Jackson CA 95642, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Gold Country

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Brown Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Law Office (about 500 feet away, measured

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in a direct line); Krabbenhoft Building (about 500 feet away); Miners' Graves (about 600 feet away); Leam's Saloon (about 600 feet away); Sesquicentennial Court House Site (about 600 feet away); In Memoriam: The '49ers (about 600 feet away); The Court House Well (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.

Regarding Site of Pioneer Jewish Synagogue. In Jewish Voices of the California Gold Rush: a Documentary History, 1849-1880 (2001), Ava Fran Kahn notes that the B’nai Israel congregation itself was established prior to the synagogue, having taken out an ad in the Volcano Weekly Ledger in the fall of 1856 announcing (Jewish) New Year services. By 1860, there were an estimated 35 Jews in the Jackson area. They had neither Scroll nor Torah, and had to borrow such from the San Francisco congregation for the high holidays, and the synagogue was closed the rest of the year.

Also see . . . Web site for the Judah L. Magnes Museum. Founded in 1863, the Commission for the Preservation of Pioneer Jewish Cemeteries and Landmarks

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 16, 2008

2. Site of Pioneer Jewish Synagogue Marker

The Jackson Elementary School is in the background.

of the Judah L. Magnes Museum has title to the six gold-rush era Jewish cemeteries, and strives to protect and preserve the Jewish landmarks in California's Mother Lode. (Submitted on September 21, 2008.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 2,202 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on December 21, 2016, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.