History of the Jews in Galveston, Texas facts for kids
Jews have lived in the city of Galveston, Texas, for nearly 200 years. The first known Jewish person to come to Galveston was Jao de la Porta. In 1816, he helped pay for the first European settlement on Galveston Island. De la Porta was born in Portugal to a Jewish family and became a Jewish Texan trader. He was an important trader for Jean Laffite and later became a full-time trader after Laffite left in 1820.
Contents
Jewish History in Galveston
Early Beginnings
In 1852, people living in Galveston created the first Jewish cemetery in Texas. The first organized Jewish services were held in 1856.
Helping During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, many people left Galveston. However, Rosanna Osterman stayed. In 1862, she opened her home as a hospital. She cared for Union soldiers first, and then for Confederate soldiers.
Building Jewish Congregations
Congregation B'nai Israel
Congregation B'nai Israel opened in 1868. This was the first Jewish Reform congregation to be officially recognized in Texas. It was also only the second Jewish congregation ever started in the state. On June 20, 1875, the congregation decided to become one of the first members of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
Abraham Cohen Labatt, a leader in Reform Judaism in the United States, moved to Galveston in 1878. He joined Congregation B'nai Israel and was an active member until he passed away in 1899.
Congregation Beth Jacob
On February 15, 1931, two Orthodox synagogues joined together. These were The Hebrew Orthodox Benevolent Association and The Young Men's Hebrew Association. They became Congregation Beth Jacob. Under the leadership of Rabbi Louis Feigon, members raised money to build a new synagogue. It was built where the old Hebrew Orthodox Benevolent Association used to be.
In the 1970s, the congregation joined the Conservative Movement. This was an effort to attract more members. Today, the congregation is small but still active in the Galveston community.
The Galveston Movement
Rabbi Henry Cohen's Role
One of B'nai Israel's rabbis, Henry Cohen, helped start the Galveston Movement. This happened in the early 1900s. Between 1907 and 1914, the Movement tried to help Jews escaping Russia and eastern Europe. It aimed to send them away from crowded cities on the East Coast.
Why Galveston?
About 10,000 Jewish immigrants came through Galveston, Texas during this time. This was about one-third of the number who moved to Palestine in the same period. Galveston was chosen as a first port in America for a few reasons. It was already a stop for the German shipping company Norddeutscher Lloyd. This company operated out of Bremen. Also, Galveston offered a way to reach the growing economic chances in the American West.
In 1911, two percent of all Jewish immigrants to the United States came through Galveston. This was about 14,000 people. However, after several years, local business owners worried about more competition. Others were upset that Polish Jews would not work on Saturday. Because of these reasons, some communities decided not to accept more Jewish immigrants.
Lasting Impact and New Leaders
Rabbi Cohen also made a difference in other parts of the community. He helped remove Shakespeare’s character Shylock from the Galveston public schools. The community recognized his efforts. In 1928, Congregation B'nai Israel built a new building and named it the Henry Cohen Community House.
The Jewish community in Galveston welcomed their first rabbi who was born in Texas when Jimmy Kessler became the leader of Congregation B'nai Israel. Kessler later started the Texas Jewish Historical Society.
Notable residents
- Rosanna Osterman
