Temple B'nai Israel
The structure now occupied by Temple B'nai Israel was originally built
in 1801 for Lydia Ritchie. In 1828, it became the home of
Garret Dorset Wall, a member of the New Jersey
Assembly. After Garret Wall's death in 1850, it was the home of his son
Colonel James Walter Wall, who became the first
mayor of Burlington under the new City charter.
In the 1870's, the house was bought by the Thomansons, in-laws of the
McNeal family who owned the U.S. Pipe Foundry. They adopted a young
Marguerite Vivienne Burton, and put her through
school at St. Mary's Hall. Throughout the late 1800's and early 1900's,
Marguerite's social exploits were the talk of the town.
The building was purchased in 1916 by Temple B'nai Israel, one of
the oldest synagogues in southern New Jersey. Originally formed in
1907, the congregation became an orthodox synagogue in 1915, and is
presently led by Rabbi Matthew Kaufman.
For more information on Temple B'nai Israel, call (609) 386-0406.
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