Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Congregation B'Nai Israel

(Children of Israel)

— First Permanent Jewish House of Worship in Tennessee —

Congregation B'Nai Israel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jerry Klinger, circa May 2009

1. Congregation B'Nai Israel Marker

Inscription. Jews have been part of Tennessee’s economic, social and political life since the late 18th century. Congregation Children of Israel, chartered by the State of Tennessee, March 2, 1854, rented and eventually purchased a building near this site at Main and Exchange Streets. Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, the founder of American Reform Judaism, dedicated the new synagogue, March 26, 1858. Growing rapidly, the congregation moved to larger accommodations on Poplar Avenue in 1884. It moved again to the corner of Poplar and Montgomery in 1915, and to East Massey in 1976. Congregation Children of Israel became known as Temple Israel in 1943.

The establishment of Congregation Children of Israel, in Tennessee, affirmed the American principles of freedom of religion and assembly.

Erected 2009 by Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, Shelby County Historical Commission, Temple Israel.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: 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 March 2, 1854.

Location. 35° 9.074′ N, 90° 3.023′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County

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. It is in Downtown Memphis. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Exchange Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

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,

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: Josiah T. Settle (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Market Square (about 500 feet away); First Court House, First Newspaper (about 600 feet away); Casey Jones (about 600 feet away); Pre-Civil War Lynching at Market Square (about 600 feet away); First Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Mary's Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shelby County Archives and Hall of Records / Former Criminal Courts Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Additional keywords. Jewish American History

Photographed by Jerry Klinger

2. Congregation B'Nai Israel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2011, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,170 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on June 23, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. Photos: 1. submitted on February 24, 2011, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. 2. submitted on February 27, 2011, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.