Originally commissioned for Congregation Beth Israel in 1926, the historical Ohr Shalom Synagogue building located at 2512 Third Ave. in Bankers Hill was built by San Diego’s oldest continuously operating construction company, and is the only synagogue designed by noted San Diego architect William Wheeler. Ohr Shalom’s building architecture is reflective of the Mediterranean Revival, Byzantine style — the only one from this period in San Diego. Wheeler, who also designed Balboa Theatre and San Diego Athletic Club among others, incorporated a domed ceiling, octagonal sanctuary, wide central seating and Middle Eastern decorative motifs into the synagogue’s blueprints. Later acquired by Ohr Shalom in 2002, the building was in need of repairs for safety reasons, functionality and aesthetics. Through donations ranging from $10 to $750,000 from members of Ohr Shalom, the synagogue’s building repairs were completed in about nine months. The electrical system, roof, plumbing, heating, ventilating and air conditioning were improved, and building codes were brought up to date. “It’s our old, new home,” said Rabbi Scott Meltzer, who joined Ohr Shalom in 2003. Blending the old with the new is not a foreign concept for the congregants of Ohr Shalom. With a membership of over 350 families, the synagogue blends the Conservative Judaism of Beth Tafilah with the multicultural flavor of Adat Ami, representative of San Diego’s eclectic population. “We don’t all look alike, have a single set of traditions, live in the same neighborhood or speak the same language,” said Meltzer. “But we have a sense of micro-community in our shared communal culture and have genuine concern for one another.” To celebrate its new renovations while staying true to its original architecture, Ohr Shalom is holding a dedication ceremony on Sunday, June 5 beginning at 2 p.m. Open to the public, the event will offer tours showcasing the synagogue’s new sanctuary and social hall, present a photo gallery of the building’s transformation and unveil a donor wall to honor those who contributed to the renovation. Meltzer will give a formal blessing of the new sanctuary, with a reception to follow in the remodeled social hall. For more information, visit www.ohrshalom.org. To RSVP for the dedication ceremony, call (619) 231-1456 or email [email protected].
