Congregation Mikveh Israel

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Congregation Mikveh Israel, Mikveh Israel synagogue, officially called Kahal Kadosh Mikveh Israel (Hebrew: קהל קדוש מקוה ישראל, which translates as "Holy Community of the Hope of Israel) is a synagogue located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was founded in 1740. Currently home to a Sephardic community originally established by Spanish and Portuguese Jews, the congregation continues to practice according to the Spanish and Portuguese Sephardic rite.

The oldest formal Jewish congregation in Philadelphia, Mikveh Israel counted among its members prominent revolutionary patriots, such as Jonas Phillips, Haym Solomon and the illustrious Gratz family. The gracious Rebecca Gratz, who founded and managed philanthropic and educational institutions devoted to the needs of women and children, Jewish and Gentile, and who is reputed to be the model for Rebecca of York, heroine of Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott, was also a congregant.

In 1829, the preeminent Isaac Leeser became the leader of the synagogue and held that position until 1850. Another prominent hazzan, Sabato Morais, took over after Leeser.

In 1829 the congregation built an Egyptian Revival synagogue on Cherry Street, notable for having been one of the earliest Egyptian Revival buildings in the United States. An image is available in ^[1]

The synagogue is currently located at 44 North Fourth St in Center City, Philadelphia. This is between Fourth and Fifth Streets just north of Market St.

The congregation is also responsible for Mikveh Israel Cemetery, possibly the oldest Jewish cemetery in the United States.

Contents 1 References 2 See also 3 External links 4 References

[edit] References

The Jewish Press, Glimpses Into American Jewish History, December 6, 2006

[edit] See also

• Jewish American
• Jewish history in the United States (pre-20th century)
• Jewish history in Pennsylvania

[edit] External links

• Kahal Kadosh Mikveh Israel official website

[edit] References