Originally known as the First Hungarian Hebrew Church, this synagogue was established in 1901. It was a traditional congregation but more liberal than Agudas Achim or Beth Jacob. Their first meetings were held in a home on McAllister near Parsons.

By 1914, they purchased their first building at 333 S. Parsons, on the corner of McAllister, just a few doors from their original meeting place. This was a remodeled house and barbershop. The main floor had the sanctuary and a small office. In the basement were the classrooms.

In 1922, Tifereth Israel as it was now known, affiliated with the conservative movement.

In 1923, Tifereth moved to an old house on Broad St as their congregation began to move to the east. While worshipping in the house, they built the new main building in the Romanesque style. It opened in 1927. The building was intended to become a facility for “the spiritual, cultural, and social welfare for the Jews of the East End”.