Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

B'nai Israel Synagogue

— Old Town Cape —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2021

1. B'nai Israel Synagogue Marker

Inscription. This building was constructed in 1937 by the Hecht family, the Jewish Community and local support from business and individuals alike. This synagogue served all of southeast Missouri’s Jewish citizens. With its Islamic influences, ceramic glazed tiles & a dome rotunda, this building has served a vital role in Cape Girardeau’s history. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected by Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Synagogues series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 37° 18.074′ N, 89° 31.148′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. It is on South Main Street just south of Merriwether Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is mounted at eye-level on the right/north side of the front portico. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 South Main Street,

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Cape Girardeau MO 63703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in 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,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Lewis and Clark Expedition Across Missouri (within shouting distance of this marker); Old St. Vincent's Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Red House Interpretive Center (within shouting distance of this marker); George Drouillard (within shouting distance of this marker); The Red House (within shouting distance of this marker); Merriwether Pump Station (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Title Panel (about 300 feet away); Cape La Croix Creek (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Regarding B'nai Israel Synagogue. National

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2021

2. B'nai Israel Synagogue Marker

The marker is on the right side of the front portico.

From the National Register Nomination:
The design of the B'nai Israel Synagogue reflects such features of Spanish Colonial Revival and Spanish Eclectic styles as stucco walls with pilasters, a low-pitched red tile roof, parapet walls, a simple square floor plan and a symmetrical façade. An identifying feature of Spanish Eclectic is the use of decorative details from Byzantine, Moorish, or Gothic influences, and the B'nai Israel Synagogue is a unique building in Cape Girardeau because of the additional presence of such details. The synagogue's architect reflected the congregation's ethnic heritage by incorporating such Islamic elements as horseshoe shaped arches, stained glass windows, the dome on the front façade and colorful glazed ceramic wall tiles.

Also see . . .
1. B'Nai Israel Synagogue (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

The decision to build a synagogue for Cape Girardeau's Jewish community came following the destruction of their Torah. In 1937, a 450-year-old Torah was brought to the United States by Isaac Becker, a Sikeston merchant. Isaac Becker had visited his father in Germany, who told
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2021

3. B'nai Israel Synagogue (south elevation)
him life for Jews in Germany was getting bad and that the book would be safer with him in the United States. Until that time, the High Holiday service was held in a number of locations: the local Elks Club building, the Sturdivant Bank, the Presbyterian Church, the Community Building in Fairground Park. However, tragedy struck on February 27, 1937, when the book was lost when the Community Building — the building it had been stored at — had been consumed by fire. After the fire, it was decided that a permanent synagogue was needed for both the Jewish community to worship at and as a place to store the community's scrolls.

(Submitted on November 13, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. National Register of Historic Places Nomination. Excerpt:

The B'nai Israel Synagogue is architecturally unique in Cape Girardeau and is representative of the local experience of a prominent ethnic group in the city. Historically, it stands as a symbol of local Jewish culture not only in Cape Girardeau but Southeast Missouri, and architecturally it remains much as it did in 1937 when it was completed.

(Submitted on November 13, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

B'nai Israel Synagogue (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2021

4. B'nai Israel Synagogue (southeast elevation)

B'nai Israel Synagogue (<i>east/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2021

5. B'nai Israel Synagogue (east/front elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 615 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 13, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.