Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco

During the Gold Rush in 1849, a small group of Jews held the first High Holy Days services on the west coast of the United States in San Francisco. This group of traders and merchants founded Congregation Emanu-El sometime in 1850, and its charter was issued in April, 1851.

• Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco
• A byproduct of this article.

For the building specifically:

• Who was the architect?
• How long did it take to build it?
• What did the inside look like? (any pictures?)
• What material was it made of?

What are the wires on these domes for, and what is the purpose of the top mounted balls?

Architecture Style:

• This mix of a Catholic Cathedral with Russian Orthodox Church style domes - is it normal for a synagogue?

FYI: the building was destroyed during the 1906 earthquake... but...it stood the great earthquake of 1865 and 1868


Thank you.