B'nai Israel Temple, Salt Lake City

B'nai Israel Temple is a historic Jewish synagogue located in Salt Lake City. Built in 1890, the synagogue is a significant part of the city's history and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The building was constructed to replace an older synagogue located at the corner of 300 South and 200 West in downtown Salt Lake City.

Originally, B'nai Israel Temple was planned to be a "facsimile in miniature" of Berlin's Fasanenstrasse Synagogue, as most of the congregation had originated in Germany. However, plans were changed during construction, and the synagogue took on a unique character of its own. The synagogue was established in 1873, and it was known for its Orthodox style of worship until 1883, when it joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the Reform movement.

In 1885, members who wanted B'nai Israel to continue to follow Orthodox tradition split off to form their own congregation, Congregation Montefiore. Congregation Montefiore later affiliated itself with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. In 1973, Montefiore and B'nai Israel merged to form Congregation Kol Ami, which is a member of both the Union for Reform Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

The B'nai Israel Temple is a testament to the rich history of Jewish life in Salt Lake City. With its unique architecture and important place in the community, it continues to be a significant landmark in the city's religious and cultural landscape.