Temple Beth Torah (Ventura, California)
| Temple Beth Torah | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Ventura, California |
| Country | United States |
| Architecture | |
| Established | 1938 |
Temple Beth Torah is a Reform Jewish synagogue in Ventura, California. It was founded in 1938 as the Ventura County Jewish Council.[1]
History
The Ventura County Jewish Council was formed in 1938 by Jewish merchants in Ventura. Early meetings were held in a room at a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Ventura.[2] In 1943, the group moved to a former dairy on Channel Drive, which became the first permanent Jewish community center in the county.[3]
In the early 1960s, the congregation purchased land on Foothill Road and began construction of a new facility in 1962.[3][4]
The congregation moved into the building in 1963, at which time it was formally designated as a synagogue and adopted the name Temple Beth Torah.[3]
By 1988, the congregation had grown to more than 400 families and was described as Ventura's only temple at the time.[1] It operated religious education programs and served the Jewish community of Ventura County.[1] The congregation celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2013.[3]
Ralph Moses, whose family helped found the Ventura County Jewish Council in 1938, later served as cantor and remained active in the congregation for decades.[2]
Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller joined the congregation in 1997.[5] In 2007, a profile marked her first decade of leadership and discussed the congregation's educational and community initiatives.[6]
Affiliation
Temple Beth Torah is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.[7]
References
- ^ a b c Diepenbrock, William (September 29, 1988). "Weekend of Events to Mark Jewish Council's Origin". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ a b Loree, Brenda (June 6, 1998). "Cantor 'Rooted' in Area's Jewish History Retiring". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Jewish synagogue opens 75th anniversary year in Ventura with tree planting". Ventura County Star. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ City of San Buenaventura Citywide Historic Resources Survey: 7620 Foothill Rd (PDF) (Report). City of Ventura. 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ Green, Nick (September 4, 1997). "Sabbath Ceremony to Welcome Rabbi". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ "Rabbi Lisa's first decade". Ventura County Star. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ "Temple Beth Torah – Ventura, CA". Union for Reform Judaism. Retrieved February 19, 2026.