Big Sky Chronicles: Temple Emanu-El

In the late 19th century, Helena had a large Jewish population that needed a place of worship. In this week's Big Sky Chronicles, Beartooth NBC's Jess Armstrong shows us how one building used to be Helena’s only Jewish synagogue.

Temple Emanu-El – Helena's first and only Jewish synagogue –  was built in 1891. At the time it was the only Jewish synagogue in the Northwest from Chicago to Portland,” says Diocese of Helena archivist Sister Dolores Brinkel.

Sister Dolores Brinkel is the archivist for the Diocese of Helena. She says that as the Jewish community's prevalence faded the ability to maintain the synagogue did too. So, it was deeded to the state and ceremonially bought for a dollar. 

“They wanted to be sure it would be used for human services in some way so that was the specification for it,” says Sister Brinkel.

The second floor of the building did not even exist before the state renovated it. The state architect preserved as much of the stained glass and windows as possible. However, the building no longer has a replica of the Ten Commandments, Star of David or two copulas.

“They were copper covered but we've not been able to find what happened to those,” says Sister Brinkel.

In 1980, the diocese bought the building for about 83 thousand dollars. The Jewish synagogue is now the Catholic Chancery that houses the offices for the diocese.

“The Jewish community used the building for about 40 years, the state used it for about 40 years and we've used it for about 40 years so it's 120 years old this year,” says Sister Brinkel.

Sister Brinkel says that in 2003 a man named Jerry Klinger had a plaque placed on the outside of the building to commemorate the synagogue. The diocese, along with the Montana Historical Society, held a ceremony to attach that plaque.

The building is among those listed in the historic registry.

Story by Jess Armstrong, Beartooth NBC.
Sponsored by Big Sky Plumbing & Heating of Helena. 
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