TBJ School Wing

The Story: Temple B’nai Jeshurun is the largest Reform Jewish congregation in Iowa. The their facility is comprised of the original Moorish Revival style synagogue and a 1960s school wing addition.

Hundreds of children learned about Jewish culture and history through this mid-century school wing over the years. When the Des Moines Jewish congregations consolidated Sunday Schools, the TBJ education wing became dedicated to storage and informal office… but remained largely underutilized.

In order to improve security and accessibility, add a modern chapel, and upgrade the offices, the congregation undertook an major rehabilitation. State Historic Tax Credits were used to help fund a sensitive rehabilitation project that maintained the underlying character of the addition. For example the wood paneling on the central corridor walls was detailed to be completely removable without damaging the original glazed block.