Temple De Hirsch was founded in 1899 on principles of Reform Jewish thought. Today, Temple De Hirsch Sinai is the largest Reform congregation in the Pacific Northwest, with more than 1,500 families and two campuses.
Seven men gather in Morris Hall on 9th Ave. and Yesler Way to form a Jewish congregation based on the principles of Reform Judaism. They named the congregation Temple De Hirsch after Baron Maurice de Hirsch of England, who funded Jewish immigration to the US in the 1890’s. The founding members are Emanuel Rosenberg, Sol Friedenthal, Max Bornstein, Simon Degginger, I. E. Moses, and I. Korn. Rabbi Theodore Joseph of Lancaster, PA, is elected as the first spiritual leader of the congregation. The first cornerstone is laid for a new Temple building at Boylston Ave. and Marion St. A basement was built, and services were held in the vestry, but, unfortunately, the building was never completed. Rabbi Samuel Koch succeeds Rabbi Joseph as leader of the congregation. Rabbi Koch was an outspoken crusader for social causes. He served on the board of many Seattle social service agencies, worked to create Children’s Hospital (known today as Seattle Children’s), and fostered ties between Christians and Jews. On the ninth anniversary of the original incorporation, a new Temple is dedicated on 15th Ave and Union St. The first services are held in the vestry room on November 22. Temple Tidings, the congregation’s newsletter, is first published under the stewardship of Rabbi Koch. Over a century later, Temple members still receive Tidings three times a year as well as a weekly email newsletter, eTidings. Temple De Hirsch acquires Hills of Eternity Cemetery on Queen Anne Hill, originally the property of an earlier congregation, Ohaveth Sholum. The Temple Center is built to house the religion school, library, and social programs. Samuel Goldfarb, composer of the iconic Hanukkah tune “I Have a Little Dreidel,” becomes music director at Temple De Hirsch. He serves the congregation for more than three decades, organizing choirs and performances for all ages. Rabbi Koch is succeeded by Rabbi Raphael E. Levine, who continues Temple’s proud tradition of community service and leadership. Rabbi Levine was best known for fostering dialogue between religious leaders. He founded the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, co-founded Camp Brotherhood, and co-hosted the interfaith panel show Challenge on local TV for more than 14 years. Temple De Hirsch builds a new sanctuary on 16th Ave. and Pike St. to accommodate its growing membership. Three architects were responsible for the impressive, forward-thinking design: B. Marcus Priteca, John Dettie, and John Peck. A young Jimi Hendrix plays his first gig in Temple’s Jaffe Room. When other religious leaders in Seattle refuse to host Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., fearing backlash from their congregations, Rabbi Levine extends him an invitation to speak at Temple De Hirsch. Interfaith dialogue and racial justice remain central to Temple’s mission today. Rabbi Earl Starr becomes Senior Rabbi at Temple De Hirsch, succeeding Rabbi Levine. He serves the congregation for 31 years. Temple De Hirsch merges with Temple Sinai, a Reform synagogue in Bellevue, to form Temple De Hirsch Sinai. Temple hosts its first Clergy Institute – an annual opportunity for interfaith study and discourse. Learn more about Temple’s annual programming, and watch our 2022 lecture with Dr. Dara Horn. Harriet B. Meyers becomes Temple’s first female Board President. Six other women have held the position since: Bobbi J. Bridge, Lauren Warshal Cohen, Karen K. Dixon, Gail Alexander, Gail Mautner, and Alison Handlin. Temple becomes the proud keeper of Czech Memorial Scroll Sefer Torah MST#353 from Brno. This Torah scroll was rescued from war-torn Prague in 1942 and eventually taken to the Westminster Synagogue in London, where it became part of the Czech Memorial Scrolls Museum. A trust was established to preserve the scrolls and to find new homes for each. Here at Temple, we devote one Shabbat each year to remembering the Jews of the memorial scroll, including the people, their community, their fate, and their heritage. Temple’s preschool is founded in memory of beloved congregant Jennifer Rosen Meade. At JRM preschool, we create a welcoming environment for children to learn and connect with one another. Learn more about JRM here. Rabbi Daniel Weiner becomes Senior Rabbi of Temple De Hirsch Sinai. Rabbi Weiner is passionate about building a 21st century Jewish community at Temple; his innovations in worship include producing video “rabcasts” and leading popular Rock Shabbat services. He also promotes Temple’s timeless values of community service and collaboration through partnerships with other faith leaders and his efforts to promote gun responsibility. Learn more about Rabbi Weiner and meet all our rabbis here. In September of this same year, the Bellevue Campus moves to its current location on 156th Ave SE. The new campus houses the newly dedicated Goldfarb Schwartz Sanctuary and Bridge Family Religion School, as well as the Jennifer Rosen Meade Preschool. Temple receives two awards from the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ): the Epstein Award for communication, and the Belin Award for its outreach to young families. Temple receives the Irving J. Fain Award from URJ for its gun safety activism. With education, advocacy, and fundraising, Temple pushed for the passage of Initiative 594 for universal background checks, a milestone accomplishment in Washington State. Temple joins forces with First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) to host our first annual interfaith Freedom Seder during Passover. When the COVID-19 pandemic thwarts in-person gatherings, Temple begins livestreaming services to foster community and togetherness. While we are grateful to be able to gather in person again, we’ll continue streaming weekly services and events so that all can join us.
Temple Timeline
