Mishkon Tephilo

Mishkon Tephilo. . , Temple Mishkon Tephilo. Herman Charles Light, Architect. Classic Revival style. Built 1941. Declared 2003, Historic-Cultural Monument No. 767, City of Los Angeles, Cultural Heritage Commission. , Congregation Mishkon Tephilo, dedicated Sept. 26, 1948. , Mishkon Tephilo , An Anchor for Venice/Ocean Park , Nowadays, Jews live all over Los Angeles County and beyond. But it wasn't always that way. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, Jewish life west of Boyle Heights was centered right here - in Venice and Ocean Park. , This temple building is both a product and a symbol of the larger Jewish presence that once thrived in this area. Jews - many of whom had left behind dire conditions in Europe - found that they could make a living here in the new amusement industry. They provisioned and staffed the concessions, rides, dance halls, and movie theaters of the three enormous nearby piers. , Our temple has been integral to the wider local community. This is due partly to its pedestrian-oriented design. Also it is the only house of worship within (what would become) the vibrant Main Street commercial district. Thus its front steps and patio have long been a place of repose for passersby, especially given the best shade for blocks around. Meanwhile, the building itself has - on and off over the years - served as a gathering place for community groups, and as a venue for community events. , By the 1940s, those working-class immigrants had banded together to erect this sanctuary building. It endures as a testament to their dignity and fortitude. Completed in 1948, its façade is a now-rare exemplar of the Classical Revival architectural style. Little wonder that the L.A. City Council declared this building to be a Historic-Cultural Monument in 2003.