Congregation Beth Elohim, Charleston
The Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue is known as the country's second oldest synagogue, the oldest one in continual use, and is a National Historic Landmark. It was established in 1749 and is recognized as the fourth oldest Jewish community.
Beginning as an Orthodox community, it became the largest Jewish community in the nation at the end of the 18th century with a membership of 500. The congregation's first synagogue was destroyed in 1838 by a fire and the existing synagogue was built in 1840. The current synagogue shows the Greek Revival style as parts are adapted from classic Greek Doric temple. This synagogue is situated on Hasell Street, while the first synagogue was a smaller building on Union Street. Several of the founders of the first congregation came from Georgia.
Beth Elohim had nearly 200 members supporting the Reform Movement in 1833 when a temporary split of the congregation took place. In 1841 the majority of the congregation was embracing Reform Judaism with modernized rituals. At this time, Beth Elohim formally became the first American Reform congregation that to this day, still serves the Reform Judaism community. A small museum contains artifacts about the history of the congregation can also be seen.
A Jewish individual was mentioned as serving as an interpreter for Governor Archdale in 1695, which is the earliest record of a Jew in Charleston, although Jews had probably settled in the area much earlier. Portuguese Jews made up the primary portion of the earliest known congregation, although by 1786 the German-Jewish population was also very well known.
