Global InformationWilshire Boulevard Temple information
| Wilshire Boulevard Temple | |
|---|---|
 The synagogue building, in 2017 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership |
|
| Status | Active |
| Notable artworks | Hugo Ballin murals |
| Location | |
| Location | 3663 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California |
| Country | United States |
  Location in Los Angeles, California | |
| Geographic coordinates | 34°3′44″N 118°18′17″W / 34.06222°N 118.30472°W |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) |
|
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style |
|
| Founder | Joseph Newmark |
| General contractor | Herbert M. Baruch Corporation |
| Date established | 1862 (as a congregation) |
| Completed |
|
| Construction cost | $1.5 million |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity |
|
| Dome(s) | One |
| Dome height (outer) | 135 feet (41 m) |
| Dome dia. (outer) | 100 feet (30 m) |
| Website | |
| wbtla | |
Congregation B'nai B'rith | |
U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 116 | |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000154 |
| LAHCM No. | 116 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 21 December 1981 |
| Designated LAHCM | March 21, 1973 |
| [1][2][3] | |
The Wilshire Boulevard Temple, known from 1862 to 1933 as Congregation B'nai B'rith, is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 3663 Wilshire Boulevard, in the Wilshire Center district of Los Angeles, California, in the United States. Founded in 1862, it is the oldest Jewish congregation in Los Angeles.[4][5]
The congregation's main building, with a sanctuary topped by a large Byzantine Revival dome and decorated with interior murals, was designated as a City of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument in 1973 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.[1][4][6][7][8] The Moorish-style building was completed in 1929 and was designed by architect Abram M. Edelman.[a]
The Wilshire Boulevard Temple is one of the largest Jewish congregations in Los Angeles, and has been led by several influential rabbis. Edgar Magnin has been described as the "John Wayne" of rabbis,[9] and served for 69 years, from 1915 to 1984.
In 1998 the congregation opened a second campus on the Westside, following relocations among its people. Despite repeated reports that the congregation might sell its older, landmark building in what had become known as the Koreatown neighborhood, the temple began extensive renovations of the historic facility in 2008;[10] and the remodelled sanctuary reopened in 2013.
The Audrey Irmas Pavilion, a major 55,000-square-foot (5,100 m2) expansion adjacent to the synagogue, was completed between 2018 and 2021, designed by Shohei Shigematsu from the Office of Metropolitan Architecture, a leading global architectural firm.[11]
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ "Historic - Cultural Monuments (HCM) Listing: City Declared Monuments" (PDF). City of Los Angeles. September 7, 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2008.
- ^ "Inventory — Wilshire Boulevard Temple Nomination Form" (history and detailed descriptions of building's elements). National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 1981.
- ^ a b "Our History". Wilshire Boulevard Temple.[self-published source?]
- ^ "Wilshire Boulevard Temple". Larchmont Chronicle.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Orangewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Wilshire Boulevard Temple". Levin & Associates Architects.
- ^ Sheldon, Betsy (1999). The Jewish Travel Guide. Hunter Publishing. p. 92. ISBN 978-1556508790 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Best Seat In The House Of Worship: The Temple Hollywood Built". NPR.org. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
- ^ "Our Clergy". Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013.[self-published source?]
- ^ ZEIGER, MIMI (November 20, 2018). "Rem Koolhaas' upcoming Wilshire Boulevard Temple expansion will balance openness with security". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
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