The show goes on
ABOVE : An interior photo of the newly constructed B ’ Nai Jacob Synagogue in 1915 , located in the 500 block of East Main Street in Ottumwa . The synagogue was in operation for over 100 years before the building was sold and later occupied by the Temple of Creative Arts , which houses the American Gothic Performing Arts Festival . The photo is one of the rare photos still available of the synagogue . Photo courtesy of The Lemberger Collection at the University of Iowa . RIGHT : The vivid display for the Temple of Creative Arts graces the exterior of the office building of the former B ’ Nai Jacob Synagogue . Photo by Chad Drury / The Courier .
Former B ’ Nai Jacob synagogue transforms into Temple of Creative Arts
STORY BY CHAD DRURY Staff Writer
OTTUMWA — Inside the square brick box , there ’ s an aged , wooden smell . Natural sunlight peers in through the windows to illuminate both what was — and what is .
For over 100 years , the brick building in the 500 block of East Main Street was a pillar of the Jewish community . Now , it ' s a place to get educated through performances ,
4 | Now & Then while remaining mindful of that history .
Just ask Dennis Willhoit , the executive artistic director of the Temple of Creative Arts , about the former B ' Nai Jacob Synagogue ' s place in history .
" We ' re very interested in the history of the building as a historic building , but also what happened in that building ," he said . " We love the stories , the history of when it became an Orthodox synagogue .