| Additional Information: | Oriented on an east-west axis, the central section of the limestone-sheathed synagogue is gabled, while wings to both the north and south are topped with a flat roof. The primary entrance is recessed within a stone surround and includes a pair of wooden doors flanked by modern-style sidelights. Above the door, an incised inscription reads, #28;OPEN TO ME THE GATES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,#29; while metal lettering to the left (west) of the door reads #28;TEMPLE BATH ISRAEL#29; and a metal menorah is located to the right (east). A minimum of steel sash, rectangular windows are located throughout the remainder of the building.
Following twenty-five years at their previous synagogue on S. Military Road (See discussion for 158 Ruggles Street), the subject temple was completed at this location in 1960, the dream of Abraham Sadoff, a key figure in organizing the first Jewish congregation in Fond du Lac. Renamed Temple Beth Israel, the subject congregation commissioned Albert M. Ruttenberg & Associates of Milwaukee to design the structure, while it was built by Immel Construction of Fond du Lac. The Ruttenberg firm was responsible for the earlier designs of at least two other Jewish synagogues including Congregation Anshai Lebovitz (1953) at 3100 N. 52nd Street and Congregation Agudas Achim (1955) at 5820 N. Burleigh, both in Milwaukee. Following over forty years of active use, the Fond du Lac Jewish population has since dwindled to a point that the synagogue is used very rarely.
The subject synagogue is located within the Division Street-Sheboygan Street Historic District that was listed in 2010 in the National Register of Historic Places; however, because of its late date, it did not fit within the district's Period of Significance and was, therefore, identified as non-contributing. Despite the structure's non-contributing status, the building is a very good example of a modern synagogue, as well as stands as the last, entirely intact, vestige of Fond du Lac's Jewish population. Furthermore, the building is associated with local businessman and philanthropist Ben Sadoff, who was largely responsible for its construction. |
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