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Synagogue B'nai Abraham
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Synagogue B'nai Abraham in 2008
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| Location: | 302 N. Park Brenham, Texas |
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| Architectural style: | Gothic Revival |
| MPS: | Brenham MPS |
| NRHP Reference#: | 90000464 |
| Added to NRHP: | March 29, 1990 |
The B'nai Abraham congregation in Brenham, Texas was organized in 1885.
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Early Jewish settlers in the Washington County, 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. [1] 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. [1] Leon Toubin, a Jewish Texan community and business leader, is the caretaker of this place of worship. [2]
The structure, located on 302 North Park Street, remains a staunchly 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 Torah was read. [3]