The history of Jews in Oshkosh dates back to 1870-80 when the Wisconsin Jewish Archives indicate that there were two to three Jewish merchants in the community.

In 1895, there were enough families to form an organization that received recognition from the State of Wisconsin as a religious congregation. On May 9, 1895, B'Nai Israel with less that 15 families became a congregation. There was no sanctuary at that time so religious services were held at the home of Peter Ress on 11th and Minnesota. The original by-laws were written in Yiddish, and the entrance fee was $3.00 and dues were 40 cents per month.

By 1902, the congregation began to look for a permanent building to use as a synagogue. A piece of property was purchased for $925 at the corner of 9th and Nebraska. This was a small wooden building and was mortaged for $800.

In 1901, Rabbi Louis M. Edelson became the first Rabbi and served the congregation for 33 years, until his death. His salary was $12.50 per week and $50 for acting as hazan for High Holidays. The first weddng was held on December 26, 1904, when Abe Segal married Bertha Scholomovitz.

The congregation remained in its first building until 1948, when a new Temple at the present location of 1121 Algoma Blvd. was build. The congregation was Orthodox originally but joined the Reform movement when it moved into the new building.

The number of family members has fluctuated during the century of the Temple's existence but seems to fall between 60 and 100 families.