In 1994, our congregation elected to affiliate with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, to return after half a century, to being Reform. Rabbi and Cantor Samuel Cohon led us through the process, incorporating some of our existent prayer books to make the change gradual.
Spartanburg’s Jewish community continues to have significant growth and has attracted many business and professional people over the past decade. Recently, “Extended Stay of America” moved its headquarters to downtown Spartanburg bringing a number of Jewish families to the area. Over 50 percent of the Jewish community arrived in the last decade and many children of previous generations have returned to Spartanburg.
The Temple extended its facilities in 2003 with the expansion of the social hall, meeting room and Rabbi’s offices. Rabbi Dr. Yossi Leibowitz joined us in 2003. He recently earned his doctorate in religious studies and continues to impress the Greater Spartanburg area with his knowledge, compassion, songs and wit. Rabbi Leibowitz, in the enlarged Temple B’nai Israel, is leading this Jewish community into our 2nd Century.
