Macon in Bibb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Temple Beth Israel

Established 1859

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, November 12, 2023

1. Temple Beth Israel Marker

Inscription. Jewish-Americans have played a significant role in the economic,social and political life of Macon since the 1840s. To meet their growing religious needs, they established Orthodox Congregation Kahal Kadosh Beth Israel in 1859 in downtown Macon. The original services were conducted in Hebrew and German.

In 1880, the congregation started to adopt Reform Judaism practices and, with the installation of a pipe organ, joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. After moving several times, in 1902 Temple Beth Israel located to its permanent home here at the corner of Cherry and Spring.

Temple Beth Israel is known for its magnificent columns, beautiful stained glass windows,and stained glass dome. The six windows over the choir loft, symbolic of the Six Days of Creation, follow a design by English artist Edward Burne-Jones. The Temple’s Torah scrolls are housed in the Aron Ha-Kodesh, the Holy Ark, in the sanctuary.

Erected 2020 by Temple Beth Israel Community, Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.

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In addition, it is included in the Synagogues series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 32° 50.354′ N, 83° 38.015′ W. Marker is in Macon, Georgia, in Bibb County. It is at the intersection of Cherry Street and Spring Street (Georgia Route 19), on the right when traveling east on Cherry Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 892 Cherry Street, Macon GA 31201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: P.L. Hay House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Green-Poe House (about 600 feet away); Historic Home of Dr. James Mercer Green

Photographed by Jerry Klinger, 2020

2. Temple Beth Israel Marker

(about 600 feet away); Judge Asa Holt House (about 600 feet away); Fencing from Findlay Foundry (about 600 feet away); Professional Building (about 600 feet away); The First Baptist Church of Christ (about 600 feet away); Civil War Era Maconites of African Ancestry (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Macon.

Regarding Temple Beth Israel. Temple Beth Israel is the oldest Jewish religious congregation in Central Georgia.

Also see . . . Temple Beth Israel - History. (Submitted on September 3, 2020.)

Temple Beth Israel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, November 12, 2023

3. Temple Beth Israel and Marker

Temple Beth Israel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, November 12, 2023

4. Temple Beth Israel

Temple Beth Israel Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, November 12, 2023

5. Temple Beth Israel Cornerstone

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2020, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 640 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 12, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on September 2, 2020, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 5. submitted on November 18, 2023, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.