Recently, an elderly Jew, age 81, locked the doors to the temple in Welch, WV. Is he the last Jew in the area? I doubt it, but he was the last to attend services and care for the building that had seen so many mitzvahs over nearly a century of time.
This is happening across our country for many reasons. Will it happen here in Parkersburg? Yes, and possibly sooner than any of us would like. For the few remaining members of our congregation, it is the great debate that we have each year. Our youngest couple, recently wed, live an hours drive down winding country roads from the Temple. They come as frequently as possible. Yet, we have members that we are fortunate to see once a year. There are many more Jews in the area who choose not to affiliate for some reason or another, not realizing that our temple, unlike ones in a larger city, is the hub of Jewish life for a radius of 60 miles or more. We are unable to conduct many functions because the few who plan need respite at times. If we had more planner, we could hold more functions.
For those who have left Parkersburg, you have shared many memories with me. Much like anyone’s home town, the sweet memories will always be a part of you. Hopefully, our temple will stay in your memories as well.
Through this website, I receive so many emails from people who live in this area and are amazed that there is a Jewish community here. Others email me to inquire about coming to services and joining our community. Then people will ask me why there are yearly fees. My only answer is that G-d does not provide everything- such as utilities in a building, maintenance, and insurance. Churches "tithe" and take up donations. Jews have always had to do things a bit differently. :-D
When you’re in the area, stop by for a tour of the temple and rekindle that old friendship or make a new one.
In October of 2009, our Temple will be celebrating 100 years of official charter in the Reform movement. We are searching for former members or family members with memorbelia to put into a powerpoint presentation. Please email the webmaster for further information.
Welcome to Parkersburg, West Virginia located at the confluence of the Ohio River and the Little Kanawha River. We are twelve miles south of Marietta, Ohio founded in 1788, the home of Marietta College, a well known and established liberal arts school. We are approximately two hours southwest of Pittsburgh, 2 1/2 hours south of Columbus, Ohio, 3 1/2 hours west of Cincinnati, Ohio and one hour north of Charleston, WEST Virginia. Temple Bnai Israel serves the Jewish community in the mid-Ohio Valley: Parkersburg, WV, Marietta, OH, Belpre, OH, and surrounding areas.
Established in the mid 1800's, Parkersburg had a thriving Jewish community at the time that the first oil wells were drilled in Burning Springs, West Virginia. Parkersburg had a YMHA organized in 1869 which is the first record we have of a Jewish organization in the area. It served as the first location for services and also provided rooms for the needy Jews to stay while traveling through the area. After the YMHA ceased operations, a Hebrew Aid Society functioned for many years to help the poor. In 1888 the Progress Club was organized and Court records show that a charter was granted on July 20, 1891. The charter was for 1000 years! The club existed for over twenty years and was located on Juliana Street. Religious services were held there conducted by a Moses A. Kuder with rabbis coming in for weddings and funerals.
Our community thrived along side the Marietta orthodox community until the late 1970's when local chemical plants began to downsize. Now we are the only Jewish community in the Mid-Ohio Valley within a 50 mile radius.
At present, we are serviced by a student rabbi from Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati Campus. We offer monthly services, lay services, High Holy Day services, and Passover Seders as well as various social gatherings.
Parkersburg has beautiful old historical homes at extremely reasonable real estate costs. We encourage those looking to get away from the rush of the big city to stop by for a visit. We are always happy to welcome new members to our community.
