Building Update
In 1898 Theodore Joseph, a Rabbinical Student, officiated at services held in an upstairs hall located at Jefferson Street and Campbell Avenue. In 1904 The Congregation purchased its first Temple, the former United Brethren Church at 700 Franklin Road, for $2,000.00. In 1937 land was purchased at 112 McClanahan Place as the site of the first building erected by Temple Emanuel.In 1955 the building site of the current Temple was purchased. By the end of the year the Building Committee raised $163,660 leading to ground-breaking ceremonies in February of 1958. In October 1959 the Temple was dedicated.
Temple Emanuel is heir to over 110 years of tradition. Our Temple continues to grow and change as it has over the last millennium. Our challenge is to ensure that these traditions are carried into the next millennium.
While we are faced with the responsibility of being fiscally prudent, we are also challenged to meet the growing needs of our congregation. Our fundraising drive, Emanuel 2000, will allow our Congregation to achieve the following:
- To develop and implement a building plan to meet the needs of our Congregation
- To continue using our building as a spiritual & educational center for our Religious needs
- To develop a place where meetings & social events are held by and for Congregants on a regular basis
- To house the largest Jewish Library in Southwest Virginia
- To have a quality nursery school program to enhance the Jewish development of our children, and to reach out to unaffiliated Jewish families
Construction was begun in 2001, and we were able to re-enter our building for High Holy Days services in 2002.
