Temple Israel was established in 1853 by 36 Jewish Memphians who named the city’s first Reform Jewish congregation B’nai Israel, Children of Israel. Temple Israel is one of the largest Reform congregations in the United States and has 1,600 members. In 1882 the new temple was erected.  The Poplar Avenue Temple, Temple “B’'Nai Israel,” was dedicated January 18, 1884.  This building stood between 2nd and 3rd Street in downtown Memphis.  Electric lights were installed in 1891. Temple Israel is a founding member of the Union for Reform Judaism and is the only Reform Jewish synagogue in Memphis, Tennessee.