Temple Emanu-El is a Reform Jewish congregation in Honolulu that was established in 1938. The current synagogue building at 2550 Pali Highway was consecrated in 1960.

[edit] The Kalakaua Torah and yad

Elias Abraham Rosenberg came to Hawaii from San Francisco in 1886. He used the title “Rabbi”, although his ordination cannot be verified. He developed a friendship with King David Kalakaua, telling the later Bible stories and teaching him Hebrew. In 1887, Rosenberg returned to San Francisco because of political unrest in Hawaii. He left his Torah and yad (Torah pointer) with King David Kalakaua for safe-keeping.

The Torah and yad remained in the royal family. During the 1930's and 1940's, the House of Kawānanakoa would lend the scroll to the Honolulu Jewish community for High Holy Day services. The “Kalakaua Torah” and yad were eventually given to Temple Emanu-El and are permanently displayed in the main sanctuary.

[edit] References

• Tigay, Alan M., “The Jewish Traveler: Honolulu”, Hadassah Magazine, Vol. 90, No. 5, January 2009, 28.

[edit] External links

Website of Temple Emanu-El

This Judaism-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e