Reno in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Temple Emanu-El-1921

First Permanent Jewish House of Worship in Nevada

Temple Emanu-El Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by LaNae Gralla

1. Temple Emanu-El Marker

Inscription. In 1880, Nevada’s Jewish population was ~900. It declined to ~350 by 1900 as mineral production plummeted. However, Reno’s Jewish community grew to 130. In 1917, the Temple Emanu-El community incorporated, and purchased land at 426 West Street for the construction of a permanent synagogue. Sol Jacob, chairman of the building committee, turned the first spade of dirt in May 1921. A formal dedication was held on September 3, 1922. Newspaper headlines proclaimed “Impressive Ceremonies” and “Prominent Personages Speak.” The synagogue was built of brick, with the sanctuary located on the second floor. A large arched accent, with windows above the front door, included the Star of David and the Ten Commandments in Hebrew.

On February 24, 1930, Hersz Abram Opcoznaki, AKA Harry Tarlow, became the Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, serving for 13 years. The synagogue community joined the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in 1947.

In 1970, the old building was condemned and later torn down. Temple Emanu-El’s community rebuilt a new sanctuary on Lakeside Drive in South Reno in 1973.

Side -2-

Jews have been part of Nevada’s

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social, economic, and political life since the 1850s. Gold and major silver strikes centered near Virginia City, notably the famed Comstock Lode, in 1859, brought a flood of emigrants from all corners of the country, including Jewish engineers, miners, storekeepers, traders, lawyers, journalists, doctors, and fortune hunters. Jews were early providers of essential mercantile infrastructure in many of the mining communities.

The extension of the railroad to Reno in 1872 provided a boost to the new city's economy. With the waning of the mining boom early in the 20th century, Reno emerged as a major growing Nevada political and business center. A Jewish community coalesced in Reno. They met in rented facilities for religious services. 1921, the Jewish community built and dedicated Nevada’s first permanent Jewish house of Worship, Temple Emanu-El, at 426 West Street.

The establishment of Temple Emanu-El in Reno affirmed Nevada’s and America’s principles of freedom of religion and assembly.

Erected 2026 by Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, Temple Emanu-El, Historic Reno Preservation Society, Nevada Historic

Temple Emanu-El-1921 Marker Side 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by LaNae Gralla

2. Temple Emanu-El-1921 Marker Side 2

Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation., and the Synagogues series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 24, 1930.

Location. 39° 29.048′ N, 119° 48.49′ W. Marker is in Reno, Nevada, in Washoe County. It is at the intersection of Lakeside Drive and Lakeside Drive, on the right when traveling south on Lakeside Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1031 Manzanita Lane, Reno NV 89509, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans of Foreign Wars Historical Building (approx. 0.6 miles away);

Temple Emanu-El-1921 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by LaNae Gralla

3. Temple Emanu-El-1921 Marker

Moana Springs (approx. 0.7 miles away); Junction House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Emigrant Trail--Truckee River Route (approx. one mile away); Historical Route - Emigrant Trail (approx. one mile away); Site of Reno Air Mail Field (approx. one mile away); Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center (approx. 2.3 miles away); Virginia & Truckee Railroad Right of Way (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reno.

Also see . . .
1. Nevada Jewish History.

Jews first went to Nevada from California in 1859 with the discovery of gold on the Comstock Lode and the silver rush around Virginia City in 1862. The gold and silver strikes brought a flood of emigrants from all corners of the country, including Jewish engineers, storekeepers, traders, lawyers, journalists, doctors, and fortune hunters. Nevada's first directory in 1862 listed 200 Jews in Virginia City, Gold Hill, Silver City, Austin, Dayton, Eureka, and Carson City.

(Submitted on October 30, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

2. Temple Emanu-El (original site) Nevada's first synagogue was located in downtown Reno.

Jews were
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among the first people to purchase lots when Reno was laid out by the Central Pacific Railroad in 1868. By 1900 there were an estimated 140 Jews in the area and interest developed to create a synagogue.

(Submitted on October 30, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

3. History of Congregation Temple Emanu-El.

On June 17, 1917, local Jewish leaders met and formed a committee to raise funds for construction of what was to become Nevada’s first synagogue, Temple Emanu-El. Broad community support from Jews, businesses, politicians and those of other faiths, (including a $25 donation from the local Baptist Church) provided construction funds.

(Submitted on October 30, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

4. Reno's Hebrew Cemetery and Jews in Northern Nevada. YouTube lecture with images by Sharon Honig-Bear. (Submitted on October 30, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 55 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 30, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.