Our History
Our History
From the earliest days following the arrival of the first Jewish settlers in Milwaukee, the synagogue has been a high priority.
Gathering first in homes for Shabbat worship, the community grew to include three tiny congregations until 1856 when they joined together to form B’ne Jeshurun. A year later they moved into the first synagogue building on Fourth Street between State and Prairie (now Highland Avenue).
Thirteen years later, 35 families left the congregation to establish a new Congregation Emanu-El, and B’ne Jeshurun remained at its building on 10th and Cedar Street (now Kilbourn Avenue), the site currently occupied by the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Both groups flourished separately for fifty eight years until Emanu-El, in need of larger facilities, broke ground in 1922 for a new build at 2419 East Kenwood Boulevard.
When plans for the new courthouse called for the demolition of B’ne Jeshurun’s synagogue, the wheels were set in motion for the 1927 merger of Milwaukee’s two Reform congregations. Today a bronze plaque on the south face of the courthouse commemorates the former B’ne Jeshurun building. Since 1927 the combined congregations have existed as Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun.
In October 1997 Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun dedicated its new building at 2020 W. Brown Deer Road in River Hills on the Joseph & Vera Zilber Campus. It became our permanent home in 2000. In June 2008 we broke ground for a renovation and expansion of our present building. The renovation was completed in September 2009.
Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun has undergone a profound transformation from its beginnings in 1856. It has become a more diversified religious institution than the founders of the 19th century congregations had ever envisioned. Today Rabbi Jessica K. Barolsky leads our congregation as we continue to speak to our traditions and ever-changing needs.
Sat, April 27 2024
19 Nisan 5784
Today's CEEBJ News
► Temple Brotherhood celebrates its 91st anniversary at the parent-child Shabbat service on May 3. Join us for a potluck dinner before the service and a special oneg after. Click here to sign up.
► Light a Yellow Candle on the evening of Sunday, May 5 in observance of Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day. Click here to purchase your Yellow Candle by Friday, May 3.
► Dr. Michael Mazius to speak on Thursday, May 9 at 7:00pm on ways we can help children, students and even ourselves bypass the traps laid by technology and media, Click here to register.
► Our 22nd Annual Salute to Song & Spirit will be held on Sunday, June 9, and will feature our own Cantor David Barash with Cantor Perry Fine and Rena Strober. Click here to become a sponsor or purchase your tickets.
► Click here to make your 2023-24 Annual Commitment.
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