Ruth Lester Playhouse to Become a Synagogue Again

By V. Hugh Lewis, II, publisher

The Ruth Lester Playhouse will once again be a Synagogue after almost a 100 years.

The Bethel Temple Fellowship Congregation here in Jefferson, has reached an agreement with the Jessie-Allen-Wise Garden Club, which owns the structure, to begin renting the facility and holding regular services.

A re-dedication of the Synagogue is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2020, and is open to the public.

“We’re really excited to be a part of this dedication and it is an historic event,” said Hunter Bonner, the Congregation Secretary/Historian. “The picture of the synagogue is circa 1900, and to have services after nearly a century is really historic and were glad to be a part of that community.”

The Congregation’s website (www.betheltemplefellowship.org) states:

The storied history of Jews in Jefferson, TX is well documented and is part of the unique identity of this city.  The house of worship for the former Hebrew Sinai Congregation still stands today as a reminder that the Jews of Jefferson valued worship unto Adonai.

​It has been nearly a century since the synagogue in Jefferson, TX last held religious services.  Now, Jews once again have returned to the city.  The congregation of Bethel Temple Fellowship, is excited to be a part of this historic event of once again, holding religious services in this wonderful building. 

On June 13, 2020 at 10am, we will hold a dedication service to dedicate this building to the sole purpose of worshiping God.  We are happy to be here, a part of this community, fulfilling the purpose that Adonai has purposed in our hearts!

https://www.betheltemplefellowship.org/synagogue-dedication

Bethel Temple Fellowship congregation follows the Messianic form of Judaism which believes Jesus (Yeshua) is the Messiah, as foretold by prophets.

The synagogue portion of the building was originally built in 1876 by the Hebrew Sinai Congregation here in Jefferson.

According to the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club website, which owns the building:

“In 1875, the residence was sold to The Hebrew Sinai congregation, as the home for Rabbi Aaron Suhler. Rabbi Suhler and his congregation built an adjoining synagogue on the property in 1876, which served the Jewish Community in Jefferson until the early 1950’s. As the community dwindled and moved away, the synagogue was eventually de-consecrated to be rented for secular purposes.”

https://theexcelsiorhouse.com/welcome-to-the-excelsior-house-hotel-in-jefferson-texas/ruth-lester-memorial-home-lodging/

“The synagogue closed its doors in 1927, being used as rental property until the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club acquired it and began using the synagogue as a courtroom to enact the annual ‘Diamond Bessie Murder Trial’.”

https://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/news/counties/jefferson-playhouse-history-religiously-diverse/article_ea5a84f6-59ab-5a70-8c9d-43054325a909.html

The Bethel Temple Fellowship congregation is led by Rabbi Linda Gutierrez and has approximately 20 members at this time.

There are several Synagogue’s in the East Texas Region, but the closest Messianic Synagogue is in Tyler.

“There are many (Jewish) who have no place to go,” said Bonner. “Rabi Linda and the congregation are thankful to Yeshua for the opportunity to bring life back to the synagogue, in nearly a century. It is very important, historic and unique. This just doesn’t normally happen.”

The original Ark portion of the Synagogue still exists but has been sealed since the Torah was removed around 1920. The Ark is the small portion of the building which juts out on the Henderson Street side of the building (see photo). The congregation is planning to open the Ark area this week, in preparation for the dedication and placing of the Torah. The contents of the Ark, if any, are unknown.

The process of using the Ark again will be done in two steps: the first to open and then clean the area; the second to place the Torah inside. The opening is tentatively set for Friday, May 22, and the second is May 29. May 29 is also Shavuot, or Pentecost. The opening is a private ceremony for members and invited guests.

The Herald will be live streaming and photographing the opening for the Congregation.

Bethel Temple Fellowship Statement of Faith

• We believe that the Bible in its original text, from Genesis to Revelation, is the inspired, infallible, Word of God. It is the final authority in establishing all doctrinal truths and determining how God desires His people to live and worship (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• We believe in the Creator of heaven and earth, who is eternally existent in the plural unity revealed in the Shema: “Hear O Israel, the LORD (Yahweh) our God (Elohim), is one (echad) LORD (Yahweh).” The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are united in God (Elohim). We believe that the name, Yahweh, derived from the Hebrew letters, Yod, Hey, Vav, Hey, is the covenantal name of the Holy One of Israel (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 11:1-2, Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:18-21, John 17:21-24).
• We believe that Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth is the Messiah, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), as foretold by the Prophets, was born of a virgin, and came to earth as God made manifest in the flesh. Yeshua our Messiah lived a sinless life, died as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended to the right hand of the Father. Yeshua is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, who sits in the midst of the throne in heaven.  He was, and is, and is to come. His sacrifice allows His disciples to enter into the presence of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with our praises, prayers, and petitions. Yeshua will return physically as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to rule and reign over all the earth (Micah 5:2, 1 Timothy 3:16, Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:34, 1 John 4:10, 1 Corinthians 15:4, Mark 16:19, Zechariah 14, Acts 1:1-9, Revelation 6:5, Revelation 19:11-16).
• We believe the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), indwells all Believers to lead, guide, teach, comfort and empower to live a righteous life. Messiah Yeshua promised the Comforter, who He described as the Spirit of Truth, would testify of Him and give power to His people to be His witnesses. This empowering of the Spirit (Ruach) is the same today, as it was in the day of Pentecost (Shavuot), as recorded in the Book of Acts. The infilling and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) are still available and operative in the lives of His redeemed precious saints. The Spirit (Ruach) writes God’s law (Torah) on the hearts of His people to bring them to a place of loving obedience to the commandments of God (John 14:26, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians 12:4-14, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:14-19, John 15:26-27, Ezekiel 36:26-28).
• We believe the Torah is the instructions of a loving and gracious Father to His children. It is the perfect law that gives liberty. The Torah was not given for salvation or to earn favor with God. Instead, it is the loving instruction of how a redeemed people should live. The Torah was given through Moses to the covenant community of Israel. This Torah is the same for the native born of Israel, as it is for those who sojourn among them. The Torah is to be written on the hearts of New Covenant Believers.  Honoring Torah is an act of love toward God and our fellow man.  Yeshua kept His Father’s commandments and lived in His love. We are to walk as He walked. We are to obey Yahweh’s commandments and to hold to the testimony of Yeshua (Joshua 22:5, Exodus 12:49, Jeremiah 31:31-33, Hebrews 8:8-10, James 1:25, 1 John 2:3-6, 1 John 3:24, 1 John 5:3).
• We believe all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All people, both the Jew and the non-Jew, need the Salvation (Yeshua) provided by the grace of Yahweh. We believe that salvation is by faith alone. One may not earn salvation by personal efforts. The new birth is a work of the Ruach, as evidenced in a heart that is circumcised to love the Holy One of Israel (Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:8-10, Deuteronomy 30:6, Romans 2:29).
• We believe that when a Jew or non-Jew puts his trust in Yeshua as Messiah, they are grafted (or re-grafted) into the olive tree of Israel, by faith. Faith in Israel’s Messiah Yeshua makes one a member in the commonwealth of Israel. Our Father, Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. If we are in Messiah, we are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the Promise (Romans 11:17-27, John 8:33-39, Ephesians 2:11-19, Galatians 3:29).
• We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the unsaved, the saved to everlasting life and the unsaved unto eternal separation from God. Without Yeshua sinful man is lost and must be born again by the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) to enter the Kingdom of heaven. The infilling and gifts of the Spirit (Ruach) are available and operative in the lives of all Believers (John 5:28-29, Revelation 20:5-6, John 3:3-7, 1 Corinthians 12:4-13).
• We believe the family is the basic unit of the community of faith founded through the uniting of one man to one woman in holy matrimony. From the beginning, marriage is depicted and described as one man married to one woman, in the uniting of Adam and Eve. This Biblical depiction and description is confirmed by Yeshua and His Bride. The family unit is the basis of Biblical nurture. The Torah commandments are to be taught diligently to our children as we walk by the way and as we lie down. These commandments, written on our hearts, are the basis of the Spirit of Elijah that is being restored in our day (Genesis 2:24 2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:31-33, Ephesians 6:4, Deuteronomy. 6:7, Malachi 4:4-6).
• We believe that the weekly Sabbath and annual Feasts of the Lord (Yahweh) are “statutes forever” and should be celebrated by the body of faith represented by Believers in Yeshua. The feasts of the LORD, or moedim, are appointments for the Bride to meet with her Husband to learn more of Him and His Kingdom to come.  We long for the day when His Kingdom is restored to Israel and His will is done on earth as it is in heaven (Leviticus 23, Zechariah 14:16-19, Matthew 6:10, Acts 1:6, Revelation 22:17).
• We believe we are to be One (Echad) in Messiah. This oneness is fueled by actions of love. We are to live in the Father’s love and abide in Messiah Yeshua. This will demonstrate to a lost and dying world that we are One (Echad). We must live in His love to live out the testimony of Yeshua. If we keep His commandments we shall abide in His love; even as He has kept His Father’s commandments and abides in His love (John 13:34-35, John 15: 10-17, John 17:11, Philippians 2:2, Galatians 5:14, Revelation 12:17).

For more information on the dedication or the Bethel Temple Congregation, contact Hunter Bonner.