HUNTINGTON - CABELL COUNTY - WEST VIRGINIA
B'nai Sholom Synagogue
Photo 1: Drawing of the first Ohev Sholom Temple
Photo 2: Photos of first Ohev Sholom Temple
Photo 3: Drawing of the landmark synagogue, now known as B'nai Sholom
Photo 4: Ark & Reader's Platform at B'nai Sholom Congregation
Images from:
"100 Years Jewish Community-Huntington, W.VA 1887-1987"
"L'Dor V'Dor From Generation to Generation: Sanctuary Rededication Fall 2003" booklet,
Congregation B'nai Sholom website
Postcard dated 1936
From: the personal collection of Julian H. Preisler
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Facade and stained glass window close-up of the former B'nai Israel Synagogue
Photos - Julian H. Preisler 1991
The Jewish Community in Huntington dates to 1880 when German Jewish immigrants formed the Almonia Social Club. Samuel Gideon and Emanuel Biern organized the first minyan for Orthodox Jewish worship in 1884. Early Jewish families include Broh, Weil, Oppenheim, Eiseman, Hyman, Cohen & Frankel. The Ohev Sholom Congregation was organized in 1887 as a Reform congregation and thus began organized Jewish Community life in Huntington. Cemetery plots were purchased in 1888 at Spring Hill Cemetery providing for the first Jewish burial ground in the city. Eastern European Jewish immigrants began settling in the city and in 1910, the Orthodox, B'nai Israel Synagogue was established. An Orthodox section of Spring Hill Cemetery was established in 1919. Both congregations built imposing synagogues and Jewish life grew and flourished as new Jewish fraternal and social organizations were established. Jews became involved in the civic affairs of the city and became prominent business people and contributors to the life and welfare of the region.
1968 brought about the merger of the religious schools of the two synagogues, a result of a decline in the Jewish population. In 1975 Ohev Sholom congregation and B'nai Israel Synagogue merged becoming "B'nai Sholom Congregation". The newly merged congregation moved into the landmark synagogue building on 10th Avenue and 10th Street and the former B'nai Israel Synagogue on 9th Avenue and 9th Street was sold. Today, the congregation is thriving and has the only synagogue building in West Virginia to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The magnificent sanctuary was restored and re-dedicated in 2003. A Holocaust Memorial, the only one in the state, is located on the grounds of B'nai Sholom.
photo from the B'nai Sholom website
Click HERE for photographs of the Broh Family & Business in Huntington
Gold Furniture Company & Fetter Furniture Company
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