The United States has the second largest Jewish community in the world with a wealth of history and architecture spanning 363 years. From the earliest Jewish congregations established in the original thirteen colonies, to the later congregations established in the central and western regions of the country, beautiful synagogues were built and vital communities were created and thrived. Jewish congregations and their members contributed to the life and success of small towns and large cities alike. America's Pioneer Jewish Congregations: Architecture, Community and History takes the reader on a tour of the oldest existing Jewish congregation in each of the 50 states plus Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. It highlights the history of each congregation and includes photographs of the various buildings that housed these congregations over the years. Some are one of only a few synagogues in a particular state, while others are part of a statewide Jewish community with hundreds of synagogues. The whole spectrum of American synagogue life is represented in all its diversity.