A striking building adorning the foothills of the Franklin Mountains.

Congregation B’nai Zion was founded in 1900. In 1910 its 65 members bought land at 902 N. Elk Street in El Paso. After outgrowing their Elk Street synagogue ground was broken at 1416 N. Mesa for a larger structure. The Mesa Street synagogue served the Congregation for 57 years.

In 1983 the current building, set in the foothills of the Franklin Mountains, was completed. Its sanctuary seats 500. Opening the moveable walls to the social hall, seating may be increased to 1500. Additionally, there is a smaller, circular floor plan chapel for smaller groups. .

This striking synagogue was designed by Sidney Eisenshtat, an American architect who was best known for his synagogue and Jewish academic and institutional building designs. According to Wikipedia, “An observant Orthodox Jew, Eisenshtat reportedly did not accept fees for his synagogue projects. He was honored as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1986. He died in 2005 at age 90. “