Tour Facilities
Welcome to Emanu El
Congregation Emanu EI was founded in 1944 by 190 families and today has a membership in excess of 2100 families. We are one of 900 Reform congregations affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, the organizing body of Reform synagogues in America. Our name is taken from the Bible and means God is with us. Our Senior Rabbi, Roy A. Walter, was elected to this position in 1978, at which time our founding rabbi Robert I. Kahn was named Rabbi Emeritus.
The synagogue is our spiritual home which serves as a house of worship, house of study, and house of community. Our building was designed in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright by congregant Lenard Gabert and MacKie & Kamrath Architects. It stood out as one of the most innovative and creative buildings in the country in 1949 when it was dedicated. As one approaches the building, the dramatic angular lines of the roof create the impression of outstretched arms, welcoming and embracing all who enter.
Inside the use of wood and earth tones continues the message of warmth. The soaring vertical lines in the sanctuary suggest the majesty of God and the converging horizontal lines imbue a sense of the closeness of God and community.
