Congregation Ahavath Chesed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Congregation Ahavath Chesed |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership |
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| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 8727 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32217 |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Florida
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| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Date established | 1880 (as a congregation) |
| Completed |
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| Destroyed |
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Congregation Ahavath Chesed, also known as The Temple Jacksonville or simply The Temple, is a Jewish synagogue located in Jacksonville, Florida. It follows Reform Judaism, which is a modern way of practicing the Jewish faith. This synagogue is one of the oldest Jewish groups in Florida and was one of the first to be officially recognized.
Contents
The History of The Temple Jacksonville
Early Jewish Life in Florida
Even before the 1800s, Jewish people lived in Florida. In 1857, the Jacksonville Hebrew Cemetery was created. This was just one year after Temple Beth-El in Pensacola. Temple Beth-El is known as the oldest Jewish community group in Florida.
Starting the Congregation
In 1867, a group called the "Israelites of Jacksonville" formed a congregation. Most of these Jewish people came from Prussia and Germany. For some years, there was also a group called the Hebrew Benevolent Society that helped people in need.
Congregation Ahavath Chesed officially started in 1880. This group was led by Morris A. Dzialynski, who was the Jewish Mayor of Jacksonville at the time. They received a legal charter, like an official permission paper, in 1882.
First Synagogue Buildings
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The congregation hired Rabbi Marx Moses. Their very first synagogue building was opened on September 8, 1882. Sadly, this building was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1901. This was a huge fire that swept through Jacksonville.
After the fire, a new building was completed in 1910. It was built in a style called Neoclassical, which means it looked like old Greek and Roman buildings. This building has since been taken down. The land where it stood is now part of the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville and its school.
Moving and Rebuilding
In 1927, the congregation bought a house in the Riverside area. It was at the corner of St. Johns Avenue and Mallory Street. They changed the house into a synagogue. However, this building was also destroyed by a fire in 1940. All of the congregation's old records were lost in that fire.
After the 1940 fire, the congregation rebuilt again. Eventually, they moved to their current location on San Jose Boulevard.
See also
- History of the Jews in South Florida
- List of the oldest synagogues in the United States
