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Congregation Beth Jacob (Galveston, Texas)

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Coordinates: 29°17′55″N 94°47′34″W / 29.2986°N 94.7929°W / 29.2986; -94.7929
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For similarly sounding synagogues, see Congregation Beth Jacob.
Congregation Beth Jacob
Hebrew: בית יעקב
Beth Jacob Synagogue
Religion
AffiliationConservative Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
LeadershipRabbi Todd Doctor
StatusActive
Location
Location2401 Avenue K, Galveston, Galveston Island, Texas
CountryUnited States
Congregation Beth Jacob (Galveston, Texas) is located in Texas
Congregation Beth Jacob (Galveston, Texas)
Location in Texas
AdministrationUnited Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Geographic coordinates29°17′55″N 94°47′34″W / 29.2986°N 94.7929°W / 29.2986; -94.7929
Architecture
Date established
  • 1888 (as a congregation)
  • 1931 (merger)
Completed
  • 1931 (first building)
  • 1965 (new wing)
Capacity232 worshippers
Website
galvestonshul.org

Congregation Beth Jacob (Hebrew: בית יעקב) is a Conservative Jewish synagogue located at 2401 Avenue K, Galveston, on Galveston Island, Texas, in the United States. The present synagogue was built by Austrian, Russian and Hungarian immigrants in 1931.[1] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.[2]

The congregation is small and active in the Galveston community.[citation needed] It is currently led Rabbi Todd Doctor.[3][4][5] Rabbi Jimmy Kessler, of Congregation B'nai Israel, a local Reform synagogue, previously assisted the congregation with religious functions such as marriages and funerals.

History

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Beth Jacob Cemetery

Beth Jacob's roots date back to 1888 when a group of Orthodox Russian Jews came together to form the Hebrew Orthodox Benevolent Association. Around the same time a group of Orthodox Jews from the Austro-Hungarian Empire immigrated to Galveston and began looking for a synagogue to join. As the only Orthodox synagogue in Galveston at the time followed the Russian tradition, the group of Austro-Hungarian Jews chose to form their own synagogue organization, the Young Men's Hebrew Association.[4]

During the early part of the 20th century there was a great influx of Jews from Russia and eastern Europe under the Galveston Movement program.[6] Therefore, in an effort to unite the growing Orthodox community, on February 15, 1931, the two Orthodox congregations voted to merge and form Congregation Beth Jacob. Despite being in the middle of the Great Depression, Rabbi Louis Feigon and members raised funds to build a new synagogue on the site of the old Hebrew Orthodox Benevolent Association.

The congregation continued to grow and by the early 1960s it became evident new buildings were needed for religious, educational and social facilities. In 1965 a new wing was built that included a 242-seat sanctuary, a large social hall, a library and more school rooms for the expanded Sunday, Hebrew and Hebrew high schools.[4][7]

In the 1970s the congregation joined the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Cousins, Rick (August 6, 2005). "Congregation Beth Jacob is back in business". Galveston County Daily News. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  2. ^ "WEEKLY LIST OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON PROPERTIES: 1/2/2024 THROUGH 1/4/2024". National Park Service. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Duke, Michael C. "Beth Jacob charts a recovery". Houston Jewish Herald-Voice. Retrieved December 25, 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ a b c Houston Jewish Voice Newspaper[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ Cousins, Rick (August 6, 2005). "Hanukkah begins at sundown today". Galveston County Daily News. Retrieved December 25, 2009.
  6. ^ Manaster, Jane (January 1, 1995). "Galveston Movement". Handbook of Texas. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  7. ^ Wiener, Julie (June 17, 2004). "From Europe To The Heartland". The Jewish Week. New York. Archived from the original on November 15, 2004. Retrieved November 18, 2023.

Bibliography

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  • Beasley, Ellen; Fox, Stephen (1996). Galveston Architectural Guidebook. Houston: Rice University Press. ISBN 0-89263-345-X.
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