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B'nai Abraham Synagogue (Brenham, Texas) facts for kids

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B'nai Abraham Synagogue
B'nai Abraham Synagogue (Brenham, Texas) 2008.jpg
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
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Architecture
Architectural type Synagogue
Architectural style Gothic Revival
Date established 1885 (as a congregation)
Completed
  • 1892 (destroyed by fire)
  • 1900 (1900)

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.

History

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. 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. Leon Toubin, a Jewish Texan community and business leader, was the caretaker of this place of worship.

Relocation

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. The move resulted in the loss of historic status for the structure.

Architecture

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.

See also

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