Congregation Shearith Israel (Wharton, Texas)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Congregation Shearith Israel was a Jewish Texan kehilla in Wharton, Texas. This rural Texan kehilla held Jewish services for over 100 years (1899-2002).

[edit] Community history

Jewish immigrants, arriving as early as the 1850s, established additional businesses and began the Congregation Shearith Israel, the only synagogue in a three-county area. [1] A first synagogue building was erected on S. Rusk Street in 1921. [2] Although centered in the town of Wharton, the community has members in two counties adjacent to Wharton County and the towns of Bay City, El Campo, Edna, East Bernard, Palacios and Boling. [3] The community has over a century of Jewish history and held for many years, the Shearith Israel annual barbecue. This event would be attended by many from the three county area. [4] The present synagogue, holder of an historic landmark, was built in 1956 on Old Lane City Road. A jewish cemetery was established on N. Alabama Rd. in 1937. The synagogue received an historical marker in 1988. [5].

The synagogue held its last service, led by Rabbi Jerome Cohen, in 2002. [6] Worship services began in about 1899. [7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Wharton, Texas
  2. ^ Historical Marker
  3. ^ Jewish Cemetery Information
  4. ^ Wharton Jewish Community
  5. ^ Historical Marker
  6. ^ New York Times Article on Wharton Jewish Community
  7. ^ Historical Marker

[edit] External links