The History of the Synagogues of San Diego’s Congregation Beth Israel

Elliot Feuerstein is an experienced real estate developer in San Diego, CA. Among his activities, Elliot Feuerstein previously served as a campaign co-chair of the Building Committee of the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue.

The largest and oldest Jewish congregation in San Diego, Congregation Beth Israel traces its roots to 1861, when Jewish pioneers established a congregation they called Adath Yeshurun, which means Assembly of Israel in Yiddish. Its first synagogue was built in 1889 at Beech Street and Second Avenue. In 1926, the congregation vacated this synagogue and moved into its second synagogue, established at Third Avenue and Laurel Street. Today, the first synagogue resides in Heritage Park, where it is a San Diego Historical Site owned by the County of San Diego.

Even with its second synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel eventually required more space for its devoted following. In 2001, it established its current temple in University City. A much more substantial home, one appropriate for the congregation’s 150-year history, Beth Israel’s current facility is twice the size of the second synagogue, with five buildings. Today, it serves approximately 3,500 individuals in San Diego.

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