A Historical Perspective on Temple Beth Tefilloh and Brunswick, Georgia’s Jewish Community

History

In 1886, a group of 21 Jewish families formed a congregation and built a house of study and Jewish worship. In 1888, they purchased a parcel of land on Egmont Street and established a building committee. Temple Beth Tefilloh’s was dedicated on Nov. 7, 1890. The event was attended by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, the founder of Reform Judaism in America.

For more than a century, the members of Temple Beth Tefilloh, or “House of Prayer,” have been active in the community and maintained a sense of Jewish identity and pride. In the years ahead, they will continue to teach Torah and demonstrate how a small number of dedicated people can keep Jewish beliefs and traditions alive in a small corner of coastal Georgia.

  • Exterior of Temple Beth Tefilloh

    Exterior of Temple Beth Tefilloh

    Temple Beth Tefilloh’s circa-1890 building was designed by renowned Jewish architect Alfred S. Eichberg.
  • Interior of Temple Beth Tefilloh

    Interior of Temple Beth Tefilloh

    Temple Beth Tefilloh’s circa-1890 building was designed by renowned Jewish architect Alfred S. Eichberg. The temple has been continuously active since its founding.
  • The ark and bimah

    The ark and bimah

    The ark contains copies of the Torah, and the bimah is used for Torah reading during services.
  • Torahs

    Torahs

    Temple Beth Tefilloh has five Torahs.
  • Stained glass windows

    Stained glass windows

    The stained glass windows on either side of the temple are original.
  • Stained glass window above bimah and ner tamid

    Stained glass window above bimah and ner tamid

    The stained glass window above the bimah features the Ten Commandments. The ner tamid, or “eternal light,” burns perpetually.

Temple Beth Tefilloh
1326 Egmont Street
P.O. Box 602
Brunswick, Georgia 31521
info@bethtefilloh.org
(912) 265-7575