Temple Beth Israel is a Reform

Reform Judaism

Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...

 synagogue

Synagogue

A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...

 located at 892 Cherry Street in Macon, Georgia

Macon, Georgia

Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...

. Formed in 1859 by Jews of German background

History of the Jews in Germany

The presence of Jews in Germany has been established since the early 4th century. The community prospered under Charlemagne, but suffered during the Crusades...

 as Congregation Kahal Kadosh Beth Israel, it was originally Orthodox

Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...

, and followed the German minhag.

The congregation constructed its first building on the corner of Poplar and Second Streets from 1871 to 1874. The congregation's current building was constructed on the corner of Cherry and Spring Streets in 1902.

, the rabbi was Larry Schlesinger.

Further reading

• Friedman, Newton J. A History of Temple Beth Israel of Macon, Georgia 1859-1955, Temple Beth Israel of Macon, Georgia Macon, Georgia, 1990.