Temple Emanuel, Greensboro

Temple Emanuel is a vibrant and historic Reform Jewish congregation rooted in the heart of Greensboro. Originally established in 1907, the congregation traces its origins to a small group of Jewish families who began holding High Holy Day services above a grocery store on South Elm Street. Just a year later, the community formally organized and purchased its first synagogue-a former Friends Church on East Lee Street. Though initially called the Greensboro Hebrew Congregation, the building was named Temple Emanuel, a title that became the official name of the congregation in 1949.

As Greensboro’s Jewish population grew alongside the city’s early 20th-century expansion, so too did the need for a more permanent and architecturally significant house of worship. Designed by renowned architect Hobart Upjohn-who also designed Holy Trinity Episcopal Church-the current Temple Emanuel on North Greene Street was completed in 1924 in the elegant Georgian style. Its distinctive design features slender, unfluted columns and stylized Corinthian capitals. The Temple notably admitted women as full members in 1923, marking a progressive milestone for the community.

Throughout the decades, Temple Emanuel expanded its facilities to accommodate a growing congregation. Additions included a Sunday School wing in 1949 and the Rypins Building-an educational and meeting center-formally dedicated in 1979. In the 1990s, Rabbi Fred Guttman led the development of a larger campus on Jefferson Road, which opened in 2002. The historic Fisher Park sanctuary remains in use for High Holy Days and special events.

Today, Temple Emanuel is not only a place of worship but also a dynamic cultural and educational center. The synagogue hosts Shabbat services, Torah study, young adult programs, book clubs, Mahjong nights, and community events in an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Its gift shop offers a curated selection of Judaica, including artwork and jewelry.