Ohr Shalom is the only synagogue designed by San Diego master architect William H. Wheeler. It was originally built for and used by Congregation Beth Israel until 1926. In 2002 the building was acquired by Ohr Shalom.

Ohr Shalom prides itself on being a warm, welcoming Conservative Synagogue located in San Diego, California. It focuses on bringing together the young and old in lasting friendships, promoting community involvement, as well as recognizing the State of Israel as the foundation of the Jewish people. Ohr Shalom is a multi-racial Synagogue, with many of its members coming from Mexico and Argentina.

The Synagogue’s building was originally built for Congregation Beth Israel in 1926 and was used by them until it was bought by Ohr Shalom in 2002. The structure was designed by San Diego Master Architect William H. Wheeler, who also designed the Balboa Theater. It was built by Master Builder M. Trempte & Son in 1925 and completed in 1926. The structure was built in Mediterranean-Byzantine Revival style, which is rare now, but was popular in America at the 1920s. Interestingly, this style was inspired by an ancient synagogue in Tiberius in Palestine, which had been discovered around that time. Features of this type of style used in Ohr Shalom include the octagonal sanctuary, domed ceiling, wide central seating plan, as well as the Byzantine motifs. This is the only synagogue built during that period in San Diego.

As of September 2010, a renovation project totaling $4.2 million is nearly completed. The renovation has primarily involved the interior of the building: refurbishing the stained glass windows, beautifully carved wood door, a new sound system, new kitchen, paint, lighting, carpet, seating, plumbing, air conditioning, heating, as well as updates to the exterior. The interior is painted in cream and the seating is blue, tying in beautifully with the richly-hued Byzantine styled stained glass windows adorning the sides of the sanctuary. The wood-paneled bimah is at the front of the sanctuary, embellished with dramatic artwork, and the balcony is at the back of the sanctuary.

Rabbi Meltzer is the young, enthusiastic spiritual leader of this congregation. Daily Minyan is held each evening, in addition to a variety of kinds of Shabbat services to appeal to families, outdoor services held in the park with music to draw in the community, and Shabbat services with meals. Weekly Parshat and candle lighting ceremonies are also observed, in addition to High Holidays. Hebrew school and adult education are also important facets of life at Ohr Shalom. Social action, young families, men’s and women’s clubs, as well as clubs to take care of personal needs within the congregation (such as visiting the sick) are further vital groups within the congregation. Once renovation of the building is complete, the Synagogue will also be used as a “soup kitchen” and meeting place for the homeless.

A pending Application has been submitted for the Synagogue to be recognized in the National Register of Historic Places.