NEWS: 'A momentous day': Community celebrates Helena Jewish temple's return, Sukkot

Rabbi Ed Stafman leads the Sukkot celebration Sunday at Temple Emanu-El in Helena. Phil Drake, Independent Record 

Dave Campbell stood with dozens of other people in a line Sunday that started at the front doors of Temple Emanu-El and snaked down the steps and on to the sidewalk that ran parallel to Ewing Street. “I just wanted to see the inside of the building,” the Helena resident said.

Campbell was among the folks who joined in a Sukkot celebration and dedication of the historic Jewish temple.

On Aug. 25, the Montana Jewish Projected finalized negotiations with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena and bought back the oldest synagogue in Montana, returning the building for use by the Jewish community for the first time in 87 years. The effort included donations from more than 2,000 individuals and several Helena businesses.

People line up Sunday for a tour of Temple Emanu-El in Helena. Phil Drake, Independent Record

Many faiths were represented at Sunday’s celebration. Sukkot is a weeklong Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur. It celebrates the harvest.

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