B'nai Abraham Synagogue (Brenham, Texas) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids B'nai Abraham Synagogue
Synagogue B'nai Abraham in 2008
Religion
Affiliation	Orthodox Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Synagogue
Status	Inactive as B'nai Abraham, Active as Tiferet Israel
Location
Location	7300 Hart Lane Austin, Texas
Country	United States
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Architecture
Architectural type	Synagogue
Architectural style	Gothic Revival
Date established	1885 (as a congregation)
Completed	1892 (destroyed by fire) 1900 (1900)

The B'nai Abraham Synagogue was an important Jewish synagogue (a Jewish house of worship) and a former congregation (a group of people who gather for religious services). It was originally located in Brenham, Texas. This group of people first came together in 1885.

History of the Synagogue

Early Jewish Settlers in Texas

Jewish families started settling in the Washington County area of Texas around the 1860s. One of the first people to help start the synagogue, B. Levinson, arrived in 1861. Another important person, Alex Simon, came in 1866. These early settlers became active in the businesses of Brenham. As more Jewish families moved to the area, they realized they needed a place to worship together.

Building the Synagogue

The first synagogue building was finished in 1892. Sadly, it was destroyed by a fire that same year. But the community didn't give up! They quickly built a new synagogue, which was completed in 1893.

The first leaders of the congregation included L. Fink as president and F. Susnitsky as vice president. L. Z. Harrison was the treasurer, and J. Lewis and Abe Fink were the secretaries. The group started with twenty founding members. They were led by their Rabbi (a Jewish religious teacher) named Israel.

For many years, the B'nai Abraham Synagogue was believed to be the oldest Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Texas that was always in use. A community leader named Leon Toubin took care of this special building for a long time.

Moving the Synagogue

In early 2015, something amazing happened. The synagogue building was carefully cut into three large pieces. Then, it was moved about 90 miles (145 km) west to Austin, Texas. It found a new home at the Dell Jewish Community Center in the Northwest Hills area of Austin.

Once it arrived, the building was put back together. It also got some cool upgrades, like new insulation, modern restrooms, air conditioning, and updated electrical wiring. After its big move, the synagogue became the home for a new congregation called Tiferet Israel. Because the building was moved from its original spot, it lost its special "historic status."

Architecture of the Building

The synagogue building was originally located at 302 North Park Street. It was built in a style called Gothic Revival. This style often looks like old churches with pointed arched windows.

Inside the building, the Aron Kodesh (a special cabinet where the holy Sefer Torah scrolls are kept) was on the eastern wall. In the center of the room was the Bimah (a raised platform). This is where the Sefer Torah (the Jewish holy book) was read during services.

On the outside of the building, there was a part that stuck out. This was the Mikveh (a special bath used for ritual cleansing in Judaism). The building's white wooden walls and pointed windows made it look a lot like the small country churches you might see in that part of Texas.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Texas
• Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Washington County
• History of the Jews in Brenham, Texas
• Texas Jewish Historical Society
• Oldest synagogues in the United States