Vine Street Temple

Standing here a century ago, you would have seen the nine onion domes of the Vine Street Temple peeking out over Nashville’s skyline. See the other side of the historical marker for a rendering of this amazing structure. This unique building was the first permanent temple built for Jewish worship in the city, and for nearly eighty years it stood as a testament to the city’s significant Jewish population.

Organized Judaism emerged in Tennessee in the mid-1800s, though Jewish peoples had lived here since the early days of the Nashville settlement. In 1853, the Orthodox Jews of Nashville formed the city’s first congregation under the leadership of Rabbi Alexander Iser. The following year they officially incorporated as Kahl Kodesh Mogen David (translated Holy Community of the Shield of David), in honor of Davidson County.

The small congregation split over differences in liturgy and ritual, but both groups remained orthodox. They eventually reconciled in 1867 and renamed the congregation Ohabai Sholom, meaning “Lovers of Peace.” By that time a Jewish Reform faction had emerged, so when the Vine Street congregation began planning the construction of a new home, they decided to move away from their orthodox practices. Reform Judaism allows men and women to worship together and includes organ music as a part of worship services.

Rabbi Isadore Kalisch led the effort to construct the Vine Street synagogue. In an elaborate public ceremony featuring former President Andrew Johnson, Governor John C. Brown, and Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, the cornerstone was laid in 1874. When the temple on Vine Street was dedicated in 1876, over 1000 people from the Jewish and larger Nashville community attended. The Vine Street Temple was an impressive red-brick structure designed in the Byzantine style. The Vine Street Temple was demolished in 1954 after lightning struck one of the domes. In 1955, after eighty years on Seventh Avenue, the temple formally moved to its present location at 5015 Harding Road. At that time, its name was changed to Ohabai Sholom, and called simply “The Temple.”

Cross Seventh Avenue and continue west on Commerce Street. After two blocks you will reach Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. Cross Rosa L. Parks and then take a RIGHT when you reach the other side of the street. Stop at the white building with large columns.