Temple Emanu-El (Honolulu)

Temple Emanu-El, Honolulu, Hawaii

Temple Emanu-El is a Reform Jewish congregation in Honolulu that was established in 1938, and joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in 1952. The synagogue building at 2550 Pali HighwayCoordinates: 21°19′50″N 157°50′40″W / 21.33056°N 157.84444°W / 21.33056; -157.84444 was consecrated in 1960 under the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Roy A. Rosenberg. The architect was Edward Sullam, and the builder was T. Takahashi.[1]

The Kalakaua Torah and yad

Torah and yad presented to King Kalākaua by Rosenberg.

Elias Abraham Rosenberg came to Hawaii from San Francisco in 1886. Accounts vary as to whether or not he ever used the title “Rabbi”, but he was never ordained.[2] He developed a friendship with King David Kalākaua, telling him stories from the Old Testament and teaching him the Hebrew language. In 1887, Rosenberg returned to San Francisco because of political unrest surrounding the Bayonet Constitution in Hawaii. He left his Torah and yad (Torah pointer) with Kalākaua for safe-keeping.[3]

The Torah and yad remained in the royal family. During the 1930s and 1940s, the House of Kawānanakoa would lend the scroll to the Honolulu Jewish community for High Holy Day services. The “Kalakaua Torah” and yad were eventually given to Temple Emanu-El and are permanently displayed in the main sanctuary.[3]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Plaque near main entrance of temple
  2. ↑ Adler, Jacob, "Elias Abraham Rosenberg, King Kalakaua's Soothsayer", Journal of Hawaiian History, 1970, Vol. 4, p 56
  3. 1 2 Tigay, Alan M., “The Jewish Traveler: Honolulu”, Hadassah Magazine, Vol. 90, No. 5, January 2009, 28.

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