Temple House of Israel
Staunton, Virginia

Staunton's Shayner Shul

Staunton, Virginia is a gem of a town nestled in the Shenandoah Valley conveniently accessible via the crossroads of I-81 & I-64. This amazing bit of Americana boasts the birthplace and presidential library of President Woodrow Wilson, and is also hometown to country music's legendary Statler Brothers. 

I selected Staunton as a stopping off point last May en route to my son's graduation from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. I was taking my first solo road trip and wanted a place to park my weary self overnight to arrive rested and ready to enjoy the awaiting simcha.

Being a budget conscious traveler I nevertheless desired something beyond a cookie cutter motel experience; I googled then scoured listings for "boutique hotels" and happened upon The Bard's Nest (http://www.thebardsnest.com), a delightfully appointed walk up one bedroom with amenities including a heated bathroom floor and complimentary bottle of Pinot Noir. So far, so good. Little did I dream that I had landed on Staunton's historic front doorstep a mere block's walk from the landmark 1924 Stonewall Jackson hotel (http://www.stonewalljacksonhotel.com/)  as well as the American Shakespeare Center, the world's only recreation of a true in-the-found renaissance 300 seat theater (http://www.americanshakespearecenter.com/v.php?pg=124).  

My inner culture vulture and history honcho's interest already piqued, I turned to wander the other direction of the street. Without warning I saw a charming white stucco like structure which caught my eye; wait--wasn't that a Star of David??  Sure enough, a bronze plaque informed me that I was standing before a Jewish house of worship. I froze, completely ferklempt at the  unexpected discovery!

http://thoi.org/

I stood transfixed then pulled out my camera and snapped away. I walked all around the building's exterior trying to learn as much as possible about what I still halfway suspected was an apparition. One or two passersby took notice but did not disturb my exploration and recording, although it briefly occurred to me that being so interested in a synagogue sadly might not be wise in this post 9/11 world. 

I gleaned as much as I could from the site itself and excitedly texted a few friends. During a bit of downtime during graduation weekend I searched the internet at Virginia Tech's library for more background and learned that the tiny congregation was started in 1876 by Major Alexander Hart, a transplanted Confederate officer originally from New Orleans. Hart served as president for about 18 years, while the group of Jewish families met in homes for services on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. Another important figure in the Temple's history was Fannie Barth Strauss, an assistant professor of Latin and German at nearby Mary Baldwin College from 1918 to 1954. Strauss was instrumental in the operation of the religious school, serving as its principal from 1916 to 1964.

The strikingly charming Moorish Revival temple standing today was built in 1925, a brainchild of eminent Staunton architect Sam Collins, heir to the T.J. Collins & Son firm responsible for much of the town's distinctive architecture. The design incorporated inspired master's touches, from Henry Mercer tiles to stained glass crafted by Charles Connick of Boston, who also created windows for St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC.

The congregation has been affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism since its inception and continues in that tradition. The current spiritual leader, Rabbi Joe Blair, was ordained in 1996 by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia after earlier in life earning an MS in Computer Science from the University of Virginia then a degree from William and Mary's Marshall-Wythe School of Law. He married, raised a family, and worked in high tech computer, legal, and publishing fields before studying for and joining the rabbinate.  In 2008, Blair was among 18 rabbis across the US chosen for an elite synogogue training program.

This past February the Temple and Mary Baldwin College coordinated the 4th annual Staunton Jewish Film Festival! To learn more about the lovely, unique, and historic Temple of Israel Staunton visit their Facebook page, follow on Twitter, and visit the website listed below the pictured placque above.