Traditions during the eight days of Hanukkah include lighting the menorah and eating fried foods (to recognize the miracle of the oil, where one day’s supply of oil lasted for eight), playing the dreidel game + reading from the Torah. Jewish tradition isn’t new to GVL: Congregation Beth Israel (📍425 Summit Dr) and Temple of Israel (📍400 Spring Forest Rd) have both been around for 100+ years.
Congregation Beth Israel’s first synagogue was built on Townes St. in the 1920s (and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016). In the 1950s, the congregation moved to the current location on Summit St., where Max Heller (Greenville’s mayor from 1971 - 1979) was a member until he passed away in 2011.
Temple of Israel was established in 1913, when six Jewish families in Greenville began meeting in their homes. Temple of Israel now includes about 190 families. Congregation Beth Israel is a progressive Conservative synagogue – they are inclusive of Jews-by-choice + interfaith families, dedicated to the equality of women, and supportive of those who identify as gay and lesbian.
So you’ve got the history – now it’s time to celebrate with Greenville’s vibrant Jewish community.
- Attend Temple of Israel’s Shabbat for a homemade latke dinner on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.
- Prep for all the Hanukkah meals with kosher beef + chicken from Trader Joe’s, or order kosher meat online from Griller’s Pride for pickup at a local synagogue. Click here their delivery schedule.
- Buy Hanukkah gifts from Temple of Israel’s gift shop, including mezuzahs, children’s toys + goods from local Jewish vendors.
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