[2] The Orthodox Beth Israel Congregation in Houston opened in a former house that had been converted to a synagogue.

In 1908 the congregation moved into a new temple at Crawford at Lamar Street, in an area that was a Jewish community.

[3]: 217 [11] In 1966 the Houston Independent School District purchased the 1920s temple building on Austin Street.

The former temple building on Austin Street became the first home of Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and was renamed the Ruth Denney Theatre.

When the high school moved to new quarters, the building became a performance venue for Houston Community College's Central Fine Arts division and was renamed the Heinen Theatre.

The current synagogue facility has been expanded since its initial construction in order to house a Jewish school.

The West Dallas cemetery includes the Temple of Rest Mausoleum, an iconic Art Deco structure designed by architect Joseph Finger.

The hallmarks of this building are the exquisite stained-glass windows, the bronze iron work and the beautiful chandelier in the entry way.