History

Temple Beth Sholom was established in 1881. The original shul building, built in 1889, is the oldest synagogue building in use on the west coast, and, by some accounts, west of the Mississippi. It now sits on our campus next to our larger building, beautifully restored and regularly used.  

Here's the story:

"One dollar may not be a great sum, but it figured greatly in the life of the Little Shul. That was the price paid by the San Leandro Hebrew Congregation in 1889 for the land at 59 Chumalia Street upon which the Little Shul was built. Then, again many years later, $1 was paid to Judah Magnes Museum for this same building. Much had happened between the two payments." 

– Illene Bolter 

The San Leandro Hebrew Congregation was organized in 1881 and incorporated in 1888. Trustees of the incorporation congregation included J. Herrscher, Adolph Wimmer, A. Levy, David Ury, and D. Herrscher – prominent men of early San Leandro.

The congregation then built a synagogue, now called the Little Shul, on Chumalia Street in 1889. Sunday school classes and religious services were held in the Little Shul for over half a century, attracting Jewish families from throughout the East Bay.

In 1947 and 1948, the now expanded congregation hired a full-time rabbi, adopted its present name Temple Beth Sholom (meaning House of Peace), purchased a new site on Dolores Street, and constructed a new and larger synagogue.

In 1970, Temple Beth Sholom paid $1 to the Judah Magnes Museum for the Little Shul and moved it to its present location behind the temple on Dolores Street. It was beautifully restored and is used today for services, classes, and special occasions.

 More can be found in this article.