Summary
The B'nai Abraham Synagogue is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue and former congregation from Brenham, Texas, in the United States. The congregation was organized in 1885.
| 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 |
  Location in Texas | |
| Geographic coordinates | 30°21′24.09″N 97°45′22.39″W / 30.3566917°N 97.7562194°W |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Synagogue |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Date established | 1885 (as a congregation) |
| Completed |
|
Synagogue B'nai Abraham | |
Invalid designation | |
| Area | less than one acre |
| MPS | Brenham MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000464[1] |
| RTHL No. | 8293 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 29, 1990 |
| Designated RTHL | 1965 |
History edit
Early Jewish settlers in the Washington County of Texas arrived during the 1860s. B. Levinson, an original founder, arrived in 1861. Alex Simon arrived in 1866. These individuals became active in the business community of Brenham, and as other Jewish settlers arrived, the need for a synagogue grew. The present building was constructed in 1893, after the first caught fire in 1892.[2] L. Fink served as first president, F. Susnitsky as vice president, L. Z. Harrison as treasurer, and J. Lewis and Abe Fink as secretaries. The twenty charter members were led by Rabbi Israel. In the 1990s the synagogue was believed to be the oldest Orthodox Jewish synagogue to have been in continuous use in Texas.[3] Leon Toubin, a Jewish Texan community and business leader, was the caretaker of this place of worship.[4]
Relocation edit
In early 2015, the building was cut into three sections and moved 90 miles (140 km) west to the Dell Jewish Community Center in the Northwest Hills neighborhood of Austin, Texas. The building was pieced back together and upgraded with new insulation, restrooms, air-conditioning and electrical wiring. The synagogue became the home of the Congregation Tiferet Israel.[5] The move resulted in the loss of historic status for the structure.[6]
Architecture edit
The structure, originally located on 302 North Park Street, served as an Orthodox Shul. The projecting structure on the near side is the Mikveh. The white clapboard structure with its pointed arched windows closely resembles the small country churches in the region. Inside the building the Aron Kodesh can be seen on the eastern wall and in the center the Bimah where the Sefer Torah was read.[4]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "B'nai Abraham Synagogue". Texas Escapes.
- ^ Hailey, James L.: B'nai Abraham Synagogue from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
- ^ a b Davis, Robert P. (Architect) (June 20, 1996). "B'nai Abraham, Brenham, Texas". WebCite. Archived from the original on October 25, 2009.
- ^ "Our Building - Congregation Tiferet Israel". www.tiferetaustin.org. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
- ^ MacLaggan, Corrie (December 14, 2014). "Brenham Synagogue Moving to Austin, and a New Life". The Texas Tribune. The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
External links edit
- B'nai Abraham Synagogue, Brenham from the Handbook of Texas Online