Congregation Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim
Encyclopedia
Congregation Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (also known as Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, Congregation K. K. Beth Elohim, or more simply K. K. Beth Elohim) is a historic synagogue
located at 90 Hasell Street in Charleston, South Carolina
. The synagogue was founded in the 1740s and is one of the oldest synagogues in the United States
.
In 1824 Beth Elohim became the first American congregation to follow the Reform movement that had originated in Germany
. It is sometimes considered to be the originator of Reform Judaism
in the United States.
The present Greek Revival building was built in 1840 and is the second oldest synagogue
building in continuous use in the United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
on April 4, 1978, as Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue and was designated a National Historic Landmark
on June 19, 1980. The Coming Street Cemetery
, owned by the Congregation, is listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places.
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
located at 90 Hasell Street in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. The synagogue was founded in the 1740s and is one of the oldest synagogues in the United States
Oldest synagogues in the United States
The designation of the oldest synagogue in the United States requires careful use of definitions, and must be divided into two parts, the oldest in the sense of oldest surviving building, and the oldest in the sense of oldest congregation...
.
In 1824 Beth Elohim became the first American congregation to follow the Reform movement that had originated in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It is sometimes considered to be the originator of Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism (North America)
Reform Judaism is the largest denomination of American Jews today. With an estimated 1.5 million members, it also accounts for the largest number of Jews affiliated with Progressive Judaism worldwide.- Reform Jewish theology :Rabbi W...
in the United States.
The present Greek Revival building was built in 1840 and is the second oldest synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
building in continuous use in the United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on April 4, 1978, as Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue and was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
on June 19, 1980. The Coming Street Cemetery
Coming Street Cemetery
The Coming Street Cemetery is located at 189 Coming Street, in Charleston, South Carolina. This Jewish cemetery, one of the oldest in the United States was founded in 1762 and is the oldest Jewish burial ground in the South...
, owned by the Congregation, is listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places.
External links
- Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, Charleston County (90 Hasell St., Charleston), at South Carolina Department of Archives and History
- Congregation Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim website
- Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina website
- Historic Charleston's Religious and Community Buildings, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary