Downtown San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bickur Cholim

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 6, 2012

1. Bickur Cholim Marker

Inscription. San Jose’s first Hebrew congregation – Bickur Cholim – was founded August 5, 1861. The congregation met in City Hall and at various locations in the downtown prior to building their first facility on this site in 1870. Used continuously until 1940, the building was rendered unsafe by a fire that broke out in the sanctuary: Kurt Opper, a member of the congregation and a refugee from Nazi Germany, saved the Torah from burning. In 1948, a new facility, now called Temple Emanu-El was built at Myrtle and University.

Erected by San Jose History Walk. (Marker Number 30.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 37° 20.065′ N, 121° 53.194′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Downtown San Jose. It is on South 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 140 South 3rd Street, San Jose CA 95113, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Silicon Valley,

and on

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the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Centennial Commemoration of the World's First Broadcasting Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of World’s First Broadcasting Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); World’s First Broadcasting Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Herrold Radio Broadcasting Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Letitia Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); San José Academy (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Normal School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tower Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 6, 2012

2. Bickur Cholim Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 773 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 15, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.