# Washington Hebrew Congregation

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Reform Jewish synagogue in Washington, D.C.

Washington Hebrew Congregation Washington Hebrew synagogue in 2014 Religion Affiliation Reform Judaism Ecclesiastical or organizational status Synagogue Leadership Rabbi Susan Shankman Rabbi Aaron Miller Rabbi Eliana Fischel (Associate) Cantor Susan Bortnick Cantor Suzanne Hamstra Rabbi Rachel Schmelkin [1] Status Active Location Location 3935 Macomb Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20016 Country United States Location in Washington, D.C. Coordinates 38°56′01″N 77°04′41″W / 38.9337°N 77.0781°W / 38.9337; -77.0781 Architecture Established 1852 (as a congregation) Completed 1955 (Macomb Street) 1978 (Potomac, Maryland) Website whctemple.org

**Washington Hebrew Congregation**, abbreviated as **WHC**, is a [Reform](/source/Reform_Judaism) [Jewish](/source/Jewish) [synagogue](/source/Synagogue) location at 3935 Macomb Street NW, in [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.), in the United States. Established as a congregation in 1852, the congregation manages two places of worship, the temple in Washington, D.C., completed in 1955, and the **Julia Bindeman Suburban Center**, a community center, located at 11810 Falls Road, [Potomac](/source/Potomac%2C_Maryland), [Maryland](/source/Maryland), completed in 1978.

The congregation is a member of the [Union for Reform Judaism](/source/Union_for_Reform_Judaism), and across its two sites, it is one of the largest Reform congregations in the United States,[2] with 2,150 members as of April 2023[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Washington_Hebrew_Congregation&action=edit).[3]

## History

### Founding

Washington Hebrew Congregation was the first Jewish congregation in the nation's capital,[4] formed on April 25, 1852, when 21 [German Jewish](/source/History_of_the_Jews_in_Germany) men gathered at the home of Herman Listberger on Pennsylvania Avenue near 21st Street in [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.)[5][4] Solomon Pribram was elected the congregation's first president, and [Capt. Jonas P. Levy](/source/Jonas_Phillips_Levy), a naval commander during the Mexican-American War, made the first recorded monetary contribution.[6]

Senior Rabbi Louis Stern presides over this Washington Hebrew Congregation 1901 Confirmation class.

1856 Act of Congress, signed by President Franklin Pierce, allowing Washington Hebrew Congregation (and future Jewish organizations), to purchase land and property in Washington, D.C.

Concerned that U.S. law did not grant them the right to purchase land for a synagogue, Capt. Jonas P. Levy and other founders of the congregation submitted a petition to the [34th U. S. Congress](/source/34th_United_States_Congress) on February 5, 1856. On June 2, 1856, [President Franklin Pierce](/source/Franklin_Pierce) signed into law *An Act for the Benefit of the Hebrew Congregation in the City of Washington*, ensuring its right to own property in the District of Columbia. To this day, Washington Hebrew Congregation operates the only synagogue chartered by an act of Congress.[6][7]

Prior to 1870, the congregation had two competing factions. German-Jewish immigrants had brought with them the Sulzbach (Bavarian) [machzor](/source/Machzor), the machzor used by almost all Jews from southern Germany, and they were strongly Orthodox. Some congregants who objected to the Bavarian machzor briefly split off from the congregation in the 1850s, but quickly reunited later. Services were conducted entirely in Hebrew until 1861, when the two rival factions signed a new constitution. Until 1861, the [siddur](/source/Siddur) used during services was Rabbi [Isaac Mayer Wise](/source/Isaac_Mayer_Wise)'s 1857 *[Minhag America](/source/Minhag_America)*, which included text in German, English, and Hebrew. In 1861, the Roedelheim (Frankfort on the Main) siddur was adopted, which had a traditional Orthodox liturgy with both Hebrew and German text. The synagogue later adopted the Reform siddur *[Union Prayer Book](/source/Union_Prayer_Book)*, following its publication in 1892.[8]

Washington Hebrew grew steadily in membership and in influence; in 1863 it purchased for $8,000.00 the 8th and I Street NW site, a former [Methodist](/source/Methodist) church, which had been used by the government as a hospital during the [Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War). It refurbished the building and held a grand dedication ceremony on July 31, 1863. The building was renovated in 1877 and again in 1886 before it was ultimately torn down to make way for a new Washington Hebrew Temple on the same site. Washington Hebrew Congregation started a religious school in 1861 and held its first confirmation class in 1871.

### WHC in the Civil War

Among the many Washington Hebrew members who fought in the Civil War, Leopold Karpeles (1838–1909) was a flagbearer for the Union Army and received the Medal of Honor in 1870 for his actions in the battles of the Wilderness and North Anna, the first Jew to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Jewish soldiers fought on both sides in the Civil War, and the Washington Hebrew Congregation helped ease wartime suffering. During the war, the women of the Washington Hebrew Congregation raised money for the U.S. Sanitary Commission, which administered wartime relief to soldiers and their families. The congregation's visiting nursing corps ministered to injured Jewish soldiers. Unclaimed bodies of Jewish war dead were buried in the congregation's cemetery.[9]

### WHC Builds a Jewish Cemetery

In the 1850s, WHC purchased land for a small cemetery on what was then Hamilton Road (which later became Alabama Ave. SE), but its size proved to be inadequate. The Temple sold that land in 1885 for $85.00 with a $5.00 commission.

WHC purchased 3 acres of land in October 1878 on Alabama Ave. SE for $450. That is equivalent to $13,410.00 in today's money (2023). In July 1889, the Temple purchased an additional 4 acres adjoining this property.

The two indentures (deeds) are seen in the adjacent document.[10] The first indenture tells us of the history of who previously owned the land, where it is, and that it is free and clear and able to be purchased without concern. The second indenture tells us that WHC trustees purchased the 3 acres from a George and Josephine Mason for $450.00 in October 1878.

Official deed recording from 1878

### Growth and expansion

From 1897 to 1954, the congregation met at 816 Eighth Street NW, in a building designed by Washington architects Louis F. Stutz and Frank W. Pease.[11] The cornerstone of this building was laid on September 16, 1897, by [President](/source/President_of_the_United_States) [William McKinley](/source/William_McKinley). This building was sold to New Hope Baptist Church (later Greater New Hope Baptist Church) in March 1954.[12]

By 1905, the First Washington Hebrew Congregation was the only [Reform](/source/Reform_Judaism) congregation in the [District of Columbia](/source/District_of_Columbia), with a membership of 350, and a [religious school](/source/Jewish_day_school) attended by 200 children.

[Adas Israel Congregation](/source/Adas_Israel_congregation_(Washington%2C_D.C.)), with Isaac Stampel as [hazzan](/source/Hazzan), was founded in 1869 by 69 members of the Washington Hebrew Congregation who objected to the Reform tendencies of the old congregation.

In 1952, [President](/source/President_of_the_United_States) [Harry S. Truman](/source/Harry_S._Truman) laid the [cornerstone](/source/Cornerstone) of the congregation's current home on Macomb Street NW, which was dedicated on May 6, 1955, by President [Dwight D. Eisenhower](/source/Dwight_D._Eisenhower).

By the 1970s, in order to meet the needs of a growing congregation and as members moved out of the District to the suburbs, an additional facility was built. The Julia Bindeman Suburban Center in Potomac, Maryland opened in 1978.

### Civil Rights activities

In the summer of 1966, a group of young Jewish activists urged the synagogue's rabbi, Rabbi Norman Gerstenfeld, to denounce a white Jewish landlord named Allie Freed for engaging in racist housing practices against African-Americans. After Rabbi Gerstenfeld refused to denounce Freed, Jewish members of ACCESS (Action Coordinating Committee to End Segregation in the Suburbs) leafleted the congregation during [Yom Kippur](/source/Yom_Kippur) in 1966 and 1967. They were condemned by Jason R. Silverman of the [Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith](/source/Anti-Defamation_League) for protesting on Yom Kippur. In light of this, Jewish activists founded [Jews for Urban Justice](/source/Jews_for_Urban_Justice) in order to campaign against anti-black racism within white Jewish communities.[13]

## Facilities

Washington Hebrew Congregation owns two buildings in the Washington, D.C. area and partners with other Jewish organizations on others.

### Macomb St. Temple

In 1952, [President](/source/President_of_the_United_States) [Harry S. Truman](/source/Harry_S._Truman) laid the [cornerstone](/source/Cornerstone) of the congregation's current home on Macomb Street NW, which was dedicated on May 6, 1955, by President [Dwight D. Eisenhower](/source/Dwight_D._Eisenhower). Expanded and renovated over the years, the Temple is nestled in between [Rock Creek National Park](/source/Rock_Creek_Park) and the residential neighborhood of McLean Gardens. In addition to multiple worship spaces, the building houses a Religious School, Edlavitch-Tyser Early Childhood Center, and several social halls and meeting spaces.

### Julia Bindeman Suburban Center

Dedicated in 1978, the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center was erected to meet the needs of a growing congregation, as members moved out of the District to the suburbs. The building houses the Rabbi Joseph P. Weinberg Early Childhood Center and the Temple Religious School. In addition, many Temple auxiliaries hold social and educational programs at the facility. The building also has social halls and reception areas available for rental.

### Washington Hebrew Congregation Memorial Park

Washington Hebrew Congregation made a cemetery a first priority. It purchased a small plot on Hamilton Road (now Alabama Avenue, SE) in the early 1850s, before moving to an area adjacent to [Adas Israel's](/source/Adas_Israel_Congregation_(Washington%2C_D.C.)) land in 1879.

### Garden of Remembrance (Gan Zikaron) Memorial Park

Washington Hebrew Congregation organized a 152-acre nonprofit cemetery, Garden of Remembrance (Gan Zikaron) Memorial Park, in Clarksburg, Maryland. It opened for use by the entire Washington area Jewish community in 2000.

## Early Childhood Center sexual abuse allegations

In August 2018 the synagogue reported to community parents that it had learned of, and taken actions in response to, allegations that an employee at its Macomb Street Edlavitch-Tyser Early Childhood Center may have engaged in inappropriate conduct involving one or more children.[14][15] According to a January 2020 report, the alleged victims were 14 or 15 children, ages two to four.[16] The teacher who was accused of abuse was hired by the preschool in March 2016, was placed on administrative leave in August 2016, and fired in October 2018.[16][17]

The [D.C. Metropolitan Police](/source/D.C._Metropolitan_Police) and the [U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia](/source/U.S._Attorney_for_the_District_of_Columbia) concluded a 16-month criminal investigation of the alleged abuser in January 2020, closing the case without filing any charges. A police statement explained that "after exhausting all investigative avenues, the universal determination of the investigative team was that there was insufficient probable cause to establish that an offense occurred or to make an arrest."[16][18][19] [Radley Balko](/source/Radley_Balko), a criminal justice reporter, called it an "unusual, strongly-worded public statement" announcing that there wasn't enough evidence to arrest, let alone convict, the alleged perpetrator.[20]

However, the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education stated, in a June 2019 cease-and desist letter to the congregation, that it found that "more than one child was a victim of sexual abuse by the alleged maltreator."[21] Evidence was not given for its determination that sexual abuse had occurred.[20] The office would eventually determine that the preschool failed to ensure the safety of children under its care, failed to properly supervise children, and failed to comply with reporting requirements.[18][21]

The [D.C. Attorney General](/source/Attorney_General_for_the_District_of_Columbia)'s Office also investigated the allegations, but no charges were ever filled.[17][20] Balko compared the allegations to the [Day-care sex-abuse hysteria](/source/Day-care_sex-abuse_hysteria) of the 1980s and 90s, given that the alleged teacher was never charged for any crimes. A child psychiatrist with [Johns Hopkins University](/source/Johns_Hopkins_University) said that "All the indices I’ve seen in previous false accusation cases were present in this case."[20]

In April 2019, some parents of alleged victims filed a civil lawsuit against the congregation and Deborah “DJ” Schneider Jensen, head of school for early childhood education, alleging that they were negligent amid "systemic, regular sexual abuse."[22][23][24][18] Jensen was placed on administrative leave in April 2019, and subsequently left the center.[18] According to a February 2020 report, that case was scheduled to go to trial in early 2021.[19] Another group of parents filed a separate civil lawsuit in May 2019.[16] The lead attorney of one of law firms representing the parents, [Cohen Milstein](/source/Cohen_Milstein), would be arrested in March 2023 on charges of consuming [child sexual abuse material](/source/Child_sexual_abuse_material). Shortly after the charges against the attorney were announced, two of the families suing the school settled with the school.[20]

In May 2025, the D.C. Child and Family services agency announced that the accusations against the teacher were "unfounded".[20]

## Antisemitic graffiti

In October 2019 the synagogue was vandalized with graffiti including, according to the police report, "numerous anti-Semitic statements, profane language, and child-like drawings of male and female genitalia."[25][26] This incident was one among several antisemitic hate crimes targeting that synagogue, as well as others in the region.[25][27]

## Notable members

- [Josh Harris](/source/Josh_Harris_(businessman)) (born 1964), investor and sports team owner[28]

- [Abby Meyers](/source/Abby_Meyers) (born 1999), basketball player[29]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Clergy and Staff"](https://www.whctemple.org/about/get-to-know-us/clergy-and-staff/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Expansive chuppah: Washington Hebrew OKs officiation of interfaith weddings - with conditions"](http://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/print.asp?ArticleID=5809&SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4). *[Washington Jewish Week](/source/Washington_Jewish_Week)*. September 6, 2006. As of 2006, Washington Hebrew was 3rd largest Reform congregation.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-URJProfile2012_3-0)** ["Washington Hebrew Congregation profile"](https://urj.org/congregations/washington-hebrew-congregation-washington-dc). [Union for Reform Judaism](/source/Union_for_Reform_Judaism). 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-scrapbook_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-scrapbook_4-1) ["Washington's First Congregation; Jewish Washington: Scrapbook of an American Community"](https://www.jhsgw.org/exhibitions/online/jewishwashington/exhibition/washington-s-first-congregation). *Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Stern, Louis (July 13, 1901). "History of Washington Hebrew Congregation". *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-jewish_museum_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-jewish_museum_6-1) Davis, William H. (June 23, 2022). ["Washington Hebrew Congregation: The Early Years"](https://capitaljewishmuseum.org/washington-hebrew-congregation-the-early-years/). Capital Jewish Museum. Retrieved December 21, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Burd Schiavo, Laura (2006). *Encyclopaedia Judaica*. Macmillan Reference USA. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0028659282](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0028659282).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Raphael, Marc Lee (June 1996). [""Our treasury is empty and our bank account is overdrawn": Washington Hebrew Congregation, 1855–1872"](https://www.jstor.org/stable/23885576?seq=15). *American Jewish History*. **84** (2). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR): 92–95. Retrieved April 26, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["A House Divided"](https://www.jhsgw.org/exhibitions/online/jewishwashington/exhibition/a-house-divided). Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** DC Archives Land Records, Liber 901 Folio 440-445 Index Vol 42 page 366 1878-79

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Washington Hebrew Congregation Building Committee minutes, November 29, 1896, cited in Justin M. Spivey, ["The Washington Hebrew Temple"](http://www.historydc.org/Do_Research/research.asp?ID=80421), typescript, [Historical Society of Washington, D.C.](/source/Historical_Society_of_Washington%2C_D.C.), 1997.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** "Greater New Hope Baptist Climaxes 20th Anniversary," *Washington Afro-American,* June 21, 1958.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Guide to the Jews for Urban Justice (Washington, D.C.) Records, 1967-1971"](http://findingaids.cjh.org/?pID=365494). [Center for Jewish History](/source/Center_for_Jewish_History). Retrieved August 29, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WaPo-Aug18_14-0)** Perry, Stein (August 27, 2018). ["Police investigate sexual abuse allegations at Jewish D.C. preschool"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/police-investigate-sexual-abuse-allegations-at-jewish-preschool-in-district/2018/08/27/1c80e05a-aa34-11e8-a8d7-0f63ab8b1370_story.html). *[Washington Post](/source/Washington_Post)*. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ECC-Letter_15-0)** ["Letter from Washington Hebrew Congregation to Parents, August 19, 2018"](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/0828_ECC-Letter.pdf) (PDF). WTOP. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DB-Jan20_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DB-Jan20_16-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-DB-Jan20_16-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-DB-Jan20_16-3) Shugerman, Emily; Stein, Sam (January 30, 2020). ["Parents Livid and Distraught No Arrest Is Coming in D.C. Synagogue Sexual-Abuse Case"](https://www.thedailybeast.com/no-arrest-to-be-made-in-washington-hebrew-congregation-preschool-sexual-abuse-case). *The Daily Beast*. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WaPo-Apr2019_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WaPo-Apr2019_17-1) Stein, Perry (April 18, 2019). ["D.C. attorney general investigating preschool amid allegations of sexual abuse"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-attorney-general-investigating-preschool-amid-allegations-of-sexual-abuse/2019/04/18/c279c5da-6208-11e9-bfad-36a7eb36cb60_story.html). *[Washington Post](/source/Washington_Post)*. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WaPo-Jan20_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WaPo-Jan20_18-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WaPo-Jan20_18-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-WaPo-Jan20_18-3) Perry, Stein (January 31, 2020). ["D.C. authorities say 'insufficient ... cause' exists to make an arrest in alleged sexual abuse at a preschool"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-police-say-insufficient--cause-exists-to-make-an-arrest-in-alleged-sexual-abuse-at-a-preschool/2020/01/30/7e18c400-43a2-11ea-aa6a-083d01b3ed18_story.html). *Washington Post*. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-VTD-Feb20_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-VTD-Feb20_19-1) Asch, Sarah (February 11, 2020). ["Abuse case tied to former Vermont photographer closes without criminal charges"](https://vtdigger.org/2020/02/11/abuse-case-tied-to-former-vermont-photographer-closes-without-criminal-charges/). *VTDigger*. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_20-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_20-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_20-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:0_20-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:0_20-5) Balko, Radley (October 27, 2025). ["Accusing Jordan Silverman"](https://radleybalko.substack.com/p/accusing-jordan-silverman). *The Watch*. Retrieved October 27, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CNN-July19_21-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CNN-July19_21-1) Burke, Daniel (July 2, 2019). ["Exclusive: Officials substantiate child sex abuse allegations at prominent DC synagogue's preschool"](https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/01/us/washington-hebrew-abuse/index.html). *CNN*. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WTOP-Apr19_22-0)** Vitka, Will (April 16, 2019). ["Washington Hebrew sued amid sex abuse allegations at preschool"](https://wtop.com/dc/2019/04/washington-hebrew-sued-amid-sex-abuse-allegations-at-preschool/). WTOP. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CNN-Apr19_23-0)** Burke, Daniel (April 19, 2019). ["Lawsuit alleges child sex abuse at prominent Washington synagogue"](https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/16/us/synagogue-lawsuit-abuse/index.html). *CNN*. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-VTD-Apr19_24-0)** Quigley, Aidan (April 16, 2019). ["Former Vermont photographer at center of D.C. sex abuse suit"](https://vtdigger.org/2019/04/16/former-vermont-photographer-at-center-of-d-c-sex-abuse-suit/). *VTDigger*. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DCist-Graffiti_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DCist-Graffiti_25-1) Kurzius, Rachel (October 21, 2019). ["'Hate-Filled' Graffiti Discovered At Washington Hebrew Congregation"](https://dcist.com/story/19/10/21/hate-filled-graffiti-discovered-at-washington-hebrew-congregation/). *DCist*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191022022937/https://dcist.com/story/19/10/21/hate-filled-graffiti-discovered-at-washington-hebrew-congregation/) from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Times-Israel_26-0)** Oster, Marcy (October 23, 2019). ["Prominent DC synagogue vandalized with 'anti-Israel and hate-filled messages'"](https://www.timesofisrael.com/prominent-dc-synagogue-vandalized-with-anti-israel-and-hate-filled-messages/). *Times of Israel*. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DCist-Rockville_27-0)** Dillwer, Nathan (April 1, 2020). ["Montgomery County Police Are Looking For A Man Who Spray Painted Swastikas On A Rockville Synagogue"](https://dcist.com/story/20/04/01/montgomery-county-police-are-looking-for-a-man-who-spray-painted-swastikas-on-a-rockville-synagogue/). *DCist*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200401214422/https://dcist.com/story/20/04/01/montgomery-county-police-are-looking-for-a-man-who-spray-painted-swastikas-on-a-rockville-synagogue/) from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Troodler, Aaron (April 17, 2024). ["Josh Harris and a commanding sports career"](https://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/washington-commanders-managing-partner-josh-harris-on-jewish-identity-israel-and-making-sports-a-shared-community-experience/). *[Washington Jewish Week](/source/Washington_Jewish_Week)*. Retrieved August 14, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Gurvis, Jacob (March 10, 2023). ["Jewish star guard Abby Meyers leads University of Maryland to No. 2 spot in the NCAA tournament"](https://www.jta.org/2023/03/10/sports/jewish-star-guard-abby-meyers-leads-university-of-maryland-into-top-10-spot-in-the-ncaa-tournament). *jta.org*. [Jewish Telegraphic Agency](/source/Jewish_Telegraphic_Agency). Retrieved August 14, 2024.

### Bibliography

- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the [public domain](/source/Public_domain): [Singer, Isidore](/source/Isidore_Singer); et al., eds. (1901–1906). ["Washington D.C. congregations"](http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=48&letter=W&search=Washington%20Hebrew%20Congregation). *[The Jewish Encyclopedia](/source/The_Jewish_Encyclopedia)*. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.

- Raphael, Marc Lee (2005). *Towards a "national shrine": a centennial history of Washington Hebrew Congregation 1855-1955*. Williamsburg, VA: Dept. of Religious Studies, College of William and Mary.

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.whctemple.org/)

v t e Synagogues in the United States By state Alabama Beth-El (Anniston) Knesseth Israel (Birmingham) Beth-El (Birmingham) Emanu-El (Birmingham) B'nai Sholom (Huntsville) Sha’arai Shomayim (Mobile) Agudath Israel Etz Ahayem (Montgomery) Beth Or (Montgomery) Alaska Arizona Beth Israel (Scottsdale) Emanuel (Tempe) Kol Ami (Tucson) Arkansas Shalom (Fayetteville) California Los Angeles Stephen Wise Temple (Bel Air) Beth Jacob (Beverly Hills) Emanuel (Beverly Hills) Valley Beth Shalom (Encino) Beth Israel (Highland Park & Eagle Rock) Temple Israel (Hollywood) Beth Am IKAR (LA) Wilshire Boulevard (LA) Beth Chayim Chadashim (Mid City) Ahavat Shalom (Northridge) Kehillat Israel (Pacific Palisades) Ner Tamid (Rancho Palos Verdes) Jewish Temple and Center (Pasadena) Pacific Jewish Center (Venice) Sephardic Temple (Westwood) Sinai Temple (Westwood) Bay Area Beth Israel (Berkeley) Beyt Tikkun (Berkeley) Peninsula Temple Sholom (Burlingame) B'nai Israel (Daly City) Beth Am (Los Altos Hills) Kehilla Community (Oakland) Temple Sinai (Oakland) Am Tikvah (San Francisco) Beth Sholom (San Francisco) Emanu-El (San Francisco) House of Love and Prayer (San Francisco) The Kitchen (San Francisco) Sherith Israel (San Francisco) Rodef Sholom (San Rafael) Kol Shofar (Tiburon) Beth Israel (Fresno) Chabad (Poway) B'nai Israel (Sacramento) Beth Israel (San Diego) Temple Israel (Stockton) Colorado Beth HaMedrosh Hagodol-Beth Joseph (Denver) Temple Emanuel (Denver) Temple Sinai (Denver) Temple Emanuel (Pueblo) Temple Aaron (Trinidad) Connecticut B'nai Israel (Bridgeport) Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (Chester) Knesseth Israel (Ellington) Ahavath Achim (Fairfield) Mishkan Israel (Hamden) Beth Israel (Hartford West) Tephereth Israel (New Britain) Beth Israel (New Haven) Agudath Sholom (Stamford) Israel (Westport) B'nai Jacob (Woodbridge) Hebrew Congregation of Woodmont Delaware District of Columbia Adas Israel Bet Mishpachah DC Minyan Kesher Israel Machar Ohev Sholom Rosh Pina Sixth & I Temple Micah Washington Hebrew Florida Ahavath Chesed (Jacksonville) Bal Harbour (Surfside) Bet Shira (Miami) Edmond J. Safra (Miami) Beth Sholom (Miami Beach) Cuban Hebrew (Miami Beach) Emanu-El (Palm Beach) New (Palm Beach) Beth-El (Pensacola) Georgia Beth Jacob (Atlanta) Shearith Israel (Atlanta) Temple (Atlanta) B'nai Israel (Augusta) Beth Israel (Macon) B'nai Torah (Sandy Springs) Mickve Israel (Savannah) Hawaii Aloha Jewish Chapel (Pearl Harbor) Emanu-El (Honolulu) Idaho Ahavath Beth Israel (Boise) Illinois Chicagoland Anshe Emet Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Beth Shalom Emanuel Congregation KAM Isaiah Israel Loop Synagogue Makom Solel Lakeside Mishkan North Shore Congregation Israel Beth El (Highland Park) Temple Sholom Sinai Tzedek Moses Montefiore (Bloomington) Jewish Community Center (Mattoon) Anshai Emeth (Peoria) Indiana Achduth Vesholom (Fort Wayne) Indianapolis Hebrew Iowa B'nai Israel (Council Bluffs) Beit Shalom (Davenport) United Orthodox (Sioux City) Kansas Beth Israel Abraham Voliner (Kansas City) B'nai Jehudah (Overland Park) Kentucky Adath Israel Brith Sholom (Louisville) Anshei Sfard (Louisville) Keneseth Israel (Louisville) Adath Israel (Owensboro) Temple Israel (Paducah) Louisiana B'nai Israel (Alexandria) Gemiluth Chassodim (Alexandria) Anshe Sfard (New Orleans) Beth Israel (New Orleans) Sinai (New Orleans) Touro (New Orleans) B'Nai Zion (Shreveport) Maine Beth Israel (Bangor) Etz Chaim (Portland) Shaarey Tphiloh (Portland) Maryland Baltimore B'nai Israel Hebrew Beth Am Shearith Israel Shomrei Emunah Tiferes Yisroel Naval Academy (Annapolis) Beth El (Bethesda) Bethesda Jewish Congregation Beth Shalom (Columbia) B'er Chayim (Cumberland) B'Nai Israel (Easton) Beth Sholom (Frederick) Kol Ami (Frederick) Emanuel (Kensington) Oseh Shalom (Laurel) Magen David Sephardic (North Bethesda) Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah (Olney) Beth El (Pikesville) Beth Tfiloh (Pikesville) Har Sinai – Oheb Shalom (Pikesville) Beth Sholom and Talmud Torah (Potomac) Beth Israel (Salisbury) Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Silver Spring) B'nai Israel (Rockville) Massachusetts Temple Israel (Boston) Ohabei Shalom (Brookline) Kahal B'raira (Cambridge) Agudath Shalom (Chelsea) Beth Israel (Malden) Adams Street (Newton) Shaarei Tefillah (Newton) Beth Israel (North Adams) Beth Israel (Onset) Anshe Amunim (Pittsfield) Sinai Temple (Springfield) Ahavath Torah (Stoughton) Beth Israel (Worcester) Emanuel Sinai (Worcester) Michigan Beth El (Alpena) Beth Emeth (Ann Arbor) Beth Israel (Ann Arbor) Beth El (Detroit) Birmingham Temple (Detroit) Isaac Agree Downtown (Detroit) Temple Emanuel (Grand Rapids) Temple Jacob (Hancock) Beth Sholom (Marquette) Beth Israel (Jackson) Temple Israel (West Bloomfield) Minnesota Beth Jacob (Mendota Heights) Temple Israel (Minneapolis) Adath Jeshurun (Minnetonka) Beth El (St Louis Park) Mount Zion (St Paul) Or Emet (St Paul) Mississippi Adath Israel (Cleveland) Beth Israel (Jackson) Beth Israel (Meridian) B'nai Israel (Tupelo) Missouri United Hebrew (Chesterfield) B'nai Amoona (Creve Coeur) Shaare Emeth (Creve Coeur) Temple Israel (Creve Coeur) Beth El (Jefferson City) Montana Nebraska B'nai Jeshurun / South Street (Lincoln) Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey Beth Sholom (Cherry Hill) Kol Ami (Cherry Hill) Synagogue of Deal Beth Hillel (Deerville) Ahavath Torah (Englewood) Barnert (Franklin Lakes) Agudath Achim (Freehold) Etz Ahaim Sephardic (Highland Park) United Synagogue of Hoboken Beth-El (Jersey City) Adas Emuno (Leonia) B'Nai Abraham (Livingston) Shaari Emeth (Manalapan) Marlboro Jewish Center B'nai Israel (Millburn) Beth Hillel Beth Abraham (Millville) Morristown Jewish Center Beth Israel (Ridgewood) Rosenhayn Synagogue Oheb Shalom (South Orange) Beth El (Voorhees) New Mexico Albert (Albuquerque) B'nai Israel (Albuquerque) New York The Bronx Adath Israel Hebrew Institute Riverdale Center Riverdale Temple Brooklyn Magen David (Bensonhurst) Chevra Anshei Lubawitz (Borough Park) Shomrei Emunah (Borough Park) Young Israel Beth El (Borough Park) Kane Street/Baith Israel Anshei Emes (Cobble Hill) 770 (Crown Heights) CAY (Crown Heights) Kol Israel (Crown Heights) Beth El (Flatbush) Khal Hisachdus Yirieim Veretzky (Flatbush) Shaare Zion (Gravesend) Edmond J. Safra (Homecrest) Ocean Parkway (Kensington) Manhattan Beach Jewish Center B'nai Yosef (Mapleton) East Midwood (Midwood) Kingsway Center (Midwood) Sephardic Center (Mills Basin) Beth Elohim (Park Slope) Kolot Chayeinu (Park Slope) Park Slope (Park Slope) Beth Jacob Ohev Sholom (Williamsburg) Yetev Lev D'Satmar (Hooper St, Williamsburg) Yetev Lev D'Satmar (Rodney St, Williamsburg) Long Island Jewish Center (Atlantic Beach) Jewish Center (East Hampton) East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center North Country Reform (Glen Cove) Beth-El (Great Neck) Tifereth Israel (Greenport) Jericho Jewish Center Emanu-El (Long Beach) RSNS (Plandome) Beth Israel (Port Washington) Adas Israel (Sag Harbor) Aish Kodesh (Woodmere) Manhattan Altneu Sixth Street (East Village) Meserich (East Village) Beth Israel (Garment District) Millinery Center (Garment District) Old Broadway (Harlem) Actor's Temple (Hells Kitchen) Fort Tryon (Hudson Heights) Lincoln Square (Lincoln Square) Bialystoker (Lower East Side) City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism (Lower East Side) Chasam Sopher (Lower E. Side) Eldridge Street (Lower E. Side) Kehila Kedosha Janina (Lower E. Side) Shul of New York (Lower E. Side) Stanton Street (Lower East) Talmud Torah Adereth El (Midtown East) Lab/Shul (Lower W. Side) Beit Simchat Torah (Midtown) Central Synagogue (Midtown) Sutton Place (Midtown) TriBeCa Synagogue (Tribeca) Temple Emanu-El (Upper E. Side) Fifth Avenue (Upper E. Side) Temple Israel (Upper E. Side) Kehilath Jeshurun (Upper E. Side) Or Zarua (Upper E. Side) Park Avenue (Upper E. Side) Park East (Upper E. Side) Edmond J. Safra (Upper E. Side) Shaaray Tefila (Upper E. Side) TUJ (Upper E. Side) Ansche Chesed (Upper W. Side) B'nai Jeshurun (Upper W. Side) Habonim (Upper W. Side) Jewish Center (Upper W. Side) Kol Zimrah (Upper W. Side) Ohab Zedek (Upper W. Side) Ramath Orah (Upper W. Side) Rodeph Sholom (Upper W. Side) Romemu (Upper W. Side) Shaare Zedek (Upper W. Side) Shearith Israel (Upper W. Side) SAJ (Upper W. Side) Stephen Wise (Upper W. Side) Hebrew Tabernacle of Washington Heights K'hal Adath Jeshurun (Washington Hts.) Mount Sinai (Washington Hts.) Queens Center of Israel (Astoria) Etz Hayim (Bayside) Tifereth Israel (Corona) Free Synagogue of Flushing Georgian Jews (Forest Hills) Queens Center (Forest Hills) Rego Park (Rego Park) Beth Emeth (Albany) Beth David (Amenia) Beth Zion (Buffalo) Beth El (Chappaqua) Beth Shalom (Clifton Park) B'nai Israel (Fleischmanns) Hunter (Hunter) Kerhonkson Synagogue (Kerhonkson) Loch Sheldrake Synagogue Agudas Achim (Livingston Manor) Hebrew Congregation (Mountaindale) Jewish Center (Norwich) Beth Israel (Plattsburgh) Kneses Tifereth Israel (Port Chester) B'rith Kodesh (Rochester) Beth Tzedek (Getzville) South Fallsburg Hebrew Association Emanu-El (Staten Island) Anshei Glen Wild (Sullivan Co.) Bikur Cholim B'nai Israel (Swan Lake) Society of Concord (Syracuse) Berith Sholom (Troy) Beth Joseph Synagogue (Tupper Lake) Spring Glen Synagogue (Wawarsing) Ulster Heights Synagogue (Wawarsing) West Point Jewish Chapel Temple Israel (White Plains) B'nai Israel (Woodbourne) Ohave Shalom (Woodridge) Lincoln Park (Yonkers) North Carolina Beth Israel (Asheville) Temple Israel (Charlotte) Temple Israel (Kinston) Emanuel (Statesville) Temple of Israel (Wilmington) North Dakota B'nai Israel (Grand Forks) Ohio Tifereth-Israel (Beachwood) Agudas Achim (Bexley) Golf Manor (Cincinnati) Rockdale (Cincinnati) Wise Temple (Cincinnati) Anshe Chesed Fairmount (Cleveland) Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai (Cleveland) Park Synagogue (Cleveland) Silver Sanctuary (Cleveland) Temple Israel (Columbus) Temple Israel (Dayton) Beth Israel (Hamilton) B'nai Israel (Toledo) Oklahoma B'nai Israel (Oklahoma City) Temple Israel (Tulsa) Oregon Beth Israel (Eugene) Beth Israel (Portland) Havurah Shalom (Portland) Neveh Shalom (Portland) Shaarie Torah (Portland) Pennsylvania Philadelphia Beit Harambam Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel B'nai Abraham Frank Memorial Germantown Jewish Centre Keneseth Israel Kesher Israel Mikveh Israel Rodeph Shalom Shivtei Yeshuron-Ezras Israel Society Hill South Philadelphia Shtiebel Vilna Congregation YPC Shari-Eli Beth Israel (Altoona) Beth Israel (Chester Co.) B'nai Shalom (Easton) Anshe Hesed (Erie) Beth Shalom (Elkins Park) Kesher Israel (Harrisburg) Ohev Sholom (Harrisburg) Beth Israel (Honesdale) Beth Israel (Lebanon) Beth Or (Maple Glen) Adath Israel (Merion) B'nai Jacob (Middletown) Har Zion Temple (Penn Valley) Rodef Shalom (Pittsburgh) Tree of Life – Or L'Simcha (Pittsburgh) Kesher Zion (Reading) Beth Israel (Washington) Main Line Reform Temple (Wynnewood) Beth Israel (York) Rhode Island Touro (Newport) Beth-El (Providence) Sons of Jacob (Providence) South Carolina Beth Israel (Beaufort) Beth Elohim (Charleston) House of Peace (Columbia) Beth Israel (Florence) Beth Elohim (Georgetown) Kol Ami (Fort Mill) Sinai (Sumter) Tennessee Adas Israel (Brownsville) Mizpah (Chattanooga) B'nai Israel (Jackson) Baron Hirsch (Memphis) Temple Israel (Memphis) Ohabai Sholom (Nashville) Sherith Israel (Nashville) Texas Agudas Achim (Austin) Beth Israel (Austin) Emanuel (Beaumont) B'nai Abraham (Brenham) Emanu-El (Dallas) Beth Jacob (Galveston) B'nai Israel (Galveston) Beth Israel (Houston) Beth Yeshurun (Houston) Sinai (Houston) Beth-El (San Antonio) Utah B'rith Sholem (Ogden) Kol Ami (Salt Lake City) Vermont Ohavi Zedek (Burlington) Old Ohavi Zedek (Burlington) Rutland Jewish Center Virginia Agudas Achim (Alexandria) Beth El (Alexandria) Beth Israel (Charlottesville) Rodef Shalom (McLean) Sinai (Newport News) Commodore Levy Chapel (Norfolk) Beth Ahabah (Richmond) Kol Emes (Richmond) Beth Israel (Roanoke) Adath Israel (Rutland) House of Israel (Staunton) Beth El (Winchester) Washington Beth Israel (Bellingham) Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath (Seattle) Ezra Bessaroth (Seattle) Kavana Cooperative (Seattle) Sephardic Bikur Holim (Seattle) De Hirsch Sinai (Seattle and Belleview) West Virginia Ohev Sholom (Huntington) Shalom (Wheeling) Wisconsin Beth El (Madison) Beth Israel Ner Tamid (Milwaukee) Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun (River Hills) Wyoming Mt Sinai (Cheyenne) Territories Virgin Islands Oldest U.S. synagogues History Category People US places of worship

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States Israel Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Washington Hebrew Congregation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Hebrew_Congregation) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Hebrew_Congregation?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.