Our Beginnings Temple Beth El began as the Hebrew Benevolent Association of Knoxville in 1864. This organization was formed in order to procure a piece of property - generously donated - so that a Knoxville father could properly bury his son who had died in battle - as a Confederate soldier - in Virginia. By March 3, 1868, a charter was received from the State of Tennessee, and by August 5, 1869, the first constitution was completed along with its by-laws. No building was established, but services were held in various locations, sometimes in members' homes or in rented halls. Within the next few years, the Association expressed interest in joining the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the Reform Jewish organization founded by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise in Cincinnati. Two years later, in 1875, their membership became official. By 1877, the Association changed its name to Temple Beth El and formed both a religious school and a precursor to Sisterhood - the Ladies' Hebrew Benevolent Asssociation. During the next two decades, student rabbis were brought in for High Holy Day services, and new property was acquired for a larger cemetery - the New Jewish Cemetery - that is currently co-owned by Temple Beth El and Heska Amuna Synagogue. A Sefer Torah, a shofar, prayerbooks and text books had been purchased, but the congregation was still unable to raise enough funds for a permanent House of Worship.

Our First Building Eventually, though, a building was purchased and Temple Beth El dedicated its new home on the corner of Broadway and West Vine Avenue. The building had been the Pilgrim Congregational Church and was purchased for $5000. The dedication of the building occurred on September 20, 1914, with the Torah being carried to the Holy Ark, and the Eternal Light kindled.

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