Marker identifies Utah's first Jewish house of worship

The historical marker unveiled Thursday outside the Peery Hotel honors some of Utah's 19th-century pioneers, but the Star of David atop the bronze plaque suggests the group isn't the pioneers that first come to mind.

The location — 110 W. Broadway (300 South) — is the site of Utah's first permanent Jewish house of worship, with the first services conducted there in March 1883.

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker — who joined local Jewish leaders and those of other faiths — spoke fondly of the site. His maternal grandfather, Ichel Watters, lived and worked in the Jewish community at the time and helped officiate in the first services.

Rabbi Tracee Rosen of Congregation Kol Ami highlighted the valley's early Jewish history — Julius and Fanny Brooks were the faith's first permanent residents in 1854, the Hebrew Benevolence Society was formed 10 years later, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints allowed early Jewish services to be held in the Assembly Hall, and Brigham Young personally donated land in 1869 for a Jewish cemetery.

Congregation B'nai Israel — Kol Ami's precursor — was formed in 1873, After beginning to use the new house of worship in early 1883, the congregation lasted less than a year before traditionalists and reformists regrouped into separate congregations.

Shared histories and values between faiths were commonly expressed themes Thursday.

Becker spoke of Salt Lake's past and present efforts to build an inclusive community, while Elder Jay E. Jensen of the LDS Church's Presidency of the Seventy told the audience that Mormons and Jews "share common values and the great (Old Testament) patriarchs. … We have a sense of Israel like you do."

Said Danny Burman, past president of Kol Ami's board of trustees, of the historic site: "The pioneering spirit of the first Jewish synagogue lives on."

e-mail: taylor@desnews.com