During the Gold Rush in 1849, a small group of Jews held the first High Holy Days services in a tent in San Francisco; it was the first Jewish service on the West Coast of the United States.[2] This group of traders and merchants founded Congregation Emanu-El sometime in 1850, and its charter was issued in April, 1851. The 16 signatories were mostly German Jews from Bavaria.
In 1860, Reform rabbi Elkan Cohn joined the Emanu-El congregation; in 1877, he led the congregation as the first in the West to join the Reform Movement.[2] As the Reform Movement in Judaism spread in the United States during the early twentieth century, the synagogue became affiliated with this framework.
In 1884 Julie Rosewald became America's first female cantor when she began serving in Emanu-El, although she was not ordained.[3][4] She served as a cantor there until 1893.[3][4]
The congregation's landmark Sutter Street synagogue was destroyed by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fire.[5]The synagogue was rebuilt on its current site and dedicated over three days, April 16, 17, and 18 in 1926.[6]
In 2025, a $97 million renovation project was completed.[7] A new floor level was added below street level to house offices, and a third floor of classrooms was added to house a pre-school.[7] The grand arched main entrance was renovated, while the domed main sanctuary, the Martin Meyer sanctuary, and the small chapel were not altered.[7]
Among its major programs today, the synagogue includes worship, youth and adult education programs, and also a major emphasis on social justice.[8]
Early Temple Emanu-El. Sutter Street, San Francisco, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views
Clergy
Stained glass window at Temple Emanu-El in San FranciscoMosaic at Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco
↑Temple Israel (Stockton, California) was the first. The two next oldest congregations in California are Emanu-El and Sherith Israel in San Francisco. Both were founded in 1851. The two synagogues were founded simultaneously because the city's Jews could not agree on whether to follow the prayer customs of the Polish or German Jews. Emanu-El was founded as the congregation of the German Jews and Sherith Israel as the congregation of the Polish Jews.[1]
↑Kirschner, Robert (1991). "A Singular Elegance". In Rischin, Moses; Asher, Raphael (eds.). The Jewish legacy and the German conscience. Berkeley, CA: The Judah L. Magnes Museum. p.47.
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