The public is invited to a centennial celebration at the United Hebrew Congregation of Joplin. The event, an open house and tour co-hosted by Historic Murphysburg Preservation, will take place from 1-4 p.m. on June 12, 2016, at 702 S. Sergeant Ave., Joplin.
Featured will be a sampling of traditional foods, architectural and religious artifact tours, explanations of customs for wedding and bar mitzvah ceremonies and a take-home card with guest's name printed in Hebrew.
"Guests will have the rare opportunity to view the beautiful handcrafted wooden ark, which houses the Torah scrolls, and features the hand carved Hebrew letters representing the Ten Commandments, explained Roberta Shilane, UHC 2015-16 president. A tour also will feature the Tree of Life appliqued on the curtain inside the ark that refers metaphorically to the Torah, original stained glass windows, wooden pews, a pipe organ, ner tamid (everlasting light), menorahs, Torah scrolls and regalia, and the choir and womens balcony.
Some of Murphysburg founding families who were members of the congregation lived in houses that still stand today on South Moffet and South Sergeant. Guests will receive a commemorative booklet and a tour guide map of their houses and of other Joplin buildings like the synagogue that were designed by Austin Allen.
A member of the Union for Reform Judaism, the United Hebrew Congregation of Joplin was organized in 1911. Five years later the synagogue was built. The current religious leader is a fourth year rabbinical student at the Hebrew Union College, Student Rabbi Leslee Estrada-Lisner.
The event is free. Donations are encouraged.
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