B'nai Abraham Synagogue (Brenham, Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids B'nai Abraham Synagogue |
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Synagogue B'nai Abraham in 2008
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| 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 |
 Location in Texas
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| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Date established | 1885 (as a congregation) |
| Completed |
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The B'nai Abraham Synagogue was an Orthodox Jewish synagogue and a former group of worshippers, called a congregation. It was located in Brenham, Texas, in the United States. The congregation first came together in 1885.
History of the Synagogue
Jewish families started settling in the Washington County area of Texas in the 1860s. One of the first people to help start the synagogue, B. Levinson, arrived in 1861. Another early settler, Alex Simon, came in 1866.
These people became important members of the business community in Brenham. As more Jewish families moved to the area, they realized they needed a synagogue. A synagogue is a special building where Jewish people gather to worship and learn.
The first synagogue building burned down in 1892. A new building was quickly built in 1893. L. Fink was the first president of the congregation. F. Susnitsky was the vice president, and L. Z. Harrison was the treasurer. J. Lewis and Abe Fink served as secretaries.
About twenty people were the first members of the congregation. They were led by their Rabbi, Israel. For a long time, the synagogue was thought to be the oldest Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Texas that was used all the time. Leon Toubin, a leader in the Jewish community and business world in Texas, helped take care of this important place of worship.
Moving the Synagogue
In early 2015, something amazing happened. The synagogue building was carefully cut into three large pieces. These pieces were then moved about 90 kilometers (56 miles) west. They traveled all the way to the Dell Jewish Community Center in Austin, Texas.
Once the building arrived in Austin, it was put back together. It also got some important upgrades. Workers added new insulation, restrooms, air-conditioning, and electrical wiring. After the move, the synagogue became the new home for a different group of worshippers called Congregation Tiferet Israel. Because the building was moved, it lost its special historic status.
What the Building Looked Like
The synagogue building was originally located at 302 North Park Street. It served as an Orthodox Shul, which is another name for a synagogue. On one side of the building, there was a special projecting structure called a Mikveh. A Mikveh is a bath used for ritual cleansing in Judaism.
The building was made of white wooden boards and had pointed arched windows. It looked a lot like the small country churches you might see in that part of Texas. Inside, on the eastern wall, you could see the Aron Kodesh. This is a special cabinet where the Sefer Torah (holy Jewish scrolls) are kept. In the center of the building was the Bimah, which is a raised platform where the Sefer Torah was read during services.
See also
- History of the Jews in Brenham, Texas
- Texas Jewish Historical Society
- Oldest synagogues in the United States
