For more than a half a century, Congregation B’nai Israel has
had a temple in Land Park that has been a very important place
for the local Jewish community. The site, however, is only part
of the rich history of the congregation’s presence in
Sacramento. The roots of Congregation B’nai Israel, in fact,
date back to the great Gold Rush of California. During this time
in history, Jewish immigrants arrived in Sacramento mainly from
Germany and Poland. Others arrived from Russia, England and
France. Of these early Jewish immigrants, Moses Hyman, who
resided at 56 Front St., is recognized as the first Jewish
leader in Sacramento. Congregation B’nai Israel was established
in 1852 as an outgrowth from the Hebrew Benevolent Society,
which was founded by Jewish pioneers during the later months of
1850. Services of the congregation were held in private homes in
the capital city until June 1852, when a building was purchased
from the First Methodist Episcopal Church. The prefabricated
building, which was located at 7th