Shangarai Chasset
Encyclopedia
Shangarai Chasset was a nineteenth century New Orleans Orthodox (and later Reform) synagogue
. The synagogue was located on Rampart Street between St. Louis and Conti Streets (see picture of plaque, at site of original structure).
The congregation was founded by Jacob Solis on December 20, 1827. The synagogue’s members were primarily Jews
of German background. Around the same time the synagogue was founded, a related benevolent society was established with the same name, "Shaare Chessed," (the first interment therein was that of a Hyam Harris on June 28, 1828). In 1881, the congregation merged with the Nefutzot Yehudah, (the Portuguese Sepharadic
Synagogue), to form the present day Touro Synagogue
.
Far from established Jewish communities, the congregation’s membership attempted to create a semblance of Jewish life and community in the new territory opened to them as part of the Louisiana Purchase
. Upon its founding, most Jewish people were reportedly indifferent and not affiliated with the synagogue. Of those affiliated with the congregation, their level of observance was minimal. Jacob Rader Marcus
, a noted historian, comments that the lack of affiliation to the synagogue may have in part resulted in many of the Jewish men in the Louisiana Territory
taking non-Jewish wives and having non-Jewish children. However, the high intermarriage rate did not preclude the congregation from appointing men with gentile wives to leadership positions in the synagogue. Despite shortcomings in their religious observance, their love of their religion, and service to their community was nonetheless noteworthy, as it paved the way for future generations of Jewish life in New Orleans.
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...
. The synagogue was located on Rampart Street between St. Louis and Conti Streets (see picture of plaque, at site of original structure).
The congregation was founded by Jacob Solis on December 20, 1827. The synagogue’s members were primarily Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
of German background. Around the same time the synagogue was founded, a related benevolent society was established with the same name, "Shaare Chessed," (the first interment therein was that of a Hyam Harris on June 28, 1828). In 1881, the congregation merged with the Nefutzot Yehudah, (the Portuguese Sepharadic
Spanish and Portuguese Jews
Spanish and Portuguese Jews are a distinctive sub-group of Sephardim who have their main ethnic origins within the Jewish communities of the Iberian peninsula and who shaped communities mainly in Western Europe and the Americas from the late 16th century on...
Synagogue), to form the present day Touro Synagogue
Touro Synagogue (New Orleans)
Touro Synagogue is the name of a Reform synagogue in New Orleans, Louisiana, named after Judah Touro, Isaac Touro's son.The New Orleans Touro Synagogue is one of the oldest in the United States...
.
Far from established Jewish communities, the congregation’s membership attempted to create a semblance of Jewish life and community in the new territory opened to them as part of the Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of America of of France's claim to the territory of Louisiana in 1803. The U.S...
. Upon its founding, most Jewish people were reportedly indifferent and not affiliated with the synagogue. Of those affiliated with the congregation, their level of observance was minimal. Jacob Rader Marcus
Jacob Rader Marcus
Jacob Rader Marcus was a scholar of Jewish history and a Reform rabbi. Born in New Haven, Pennsylvania, United States, into a traditional Jewish family, Marcus became interested in Reform Judaism at the age of 15. At that time, he travelled to Hebrew Union College , in Cincinnati, Ohio, to begin...
, a noted historian, comments that the lack of affiliation to the synagogue may have in part resulted in many of the Jewish men in the Louisiana Territory
Louisiana Territory
The Territory of Louisiana or Louisiana Territory was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1805 until June 4, 1812, when it was renamed to Missouri Territory...
taking non-Jewish wives and having non-Jewish children. However, the high intermarriage rate did not preclude the congregation from appointing men with gentile wives to leadership positions in the synagogue. Despite shortcomings in their religious observance, their love of their religion, and service to their community was nonetheless noteworthy, as it paved the way for future generations of Jewish life in New Orleans.
Synagogue leadership
Some of the rabbis to lead the congregation were considered the greatest rabbis in their era. Among them:- Manis JacobsManis JacobsManis Jacobs was the founder, first president and although unordained, the first rabbi of Congregation Shangarai Chasset of New Orleans....
, (1828-1839).
- Albert "Roley" Marks, (1839 - 1845)
- Eli Evans in The Provincials writes that Marks was a "fake rabbi..." and a "ludicrous but likable part-time comic actor and fireman." It appears that Marks was appointed to lead the congregation primarily due to his ability to lead services. Historians Jonathan SarnaJonathan SarnaJonathan D. Sarna is the Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History in the department of and the director of the Hornstein Program in Jewish Professional Leadership. He is regarded as one of the most prominent historians of American Judaism...
and Jacob Rader MarcusJacob Rader MarcusJacob Rader Marcus was a scholar of Jewish history and a Reform rabbi. Born in New Haven, Pennsylvania, United States, into a traditional Jewish family, Marcus became interested in Reform Judaism at the age of 15. At that time, he travelled to Hebrew Union College , in Cincinnati, Ohio, to begin...
noted in various works that during that era most U.S. "rabbis" were not ordained; calling him a fake may have been too strong a critique of his pastoral abilities. Nonetheless, he is usually noted negatively, as sources cite that Marks was known to run out of services to assist his fire brigade, was not particularly careful with kosher laws or observance of PassoverPassoverPassover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
, and was married to a CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
woman. Multiple sources including Evans cite a story about an incident in synagogue in which he argued with a congregant displeased with his conduct, during the High Holiday services. (Although not cited elsewhere, it is possible that the congregant objected to Marks' being appointed to lead the services, as halachic sources recommend a respectable individual represent the congregation for High Holiday services.) In response to the congregant, Marks reportedly "banged on the podium and screamed" unpleasantries at the congregant, asserting his "... right to pray!"
- Marks appears to have died sometime around 1850. Sources differ about his burial, but again, neither were favorable from a traditional Jewish standpoint. Some record the story that the rabbi’s widow, a Catholic, was restrained only with difficulty from putting a crucifix in (or on) his grave. Other sources cite that he returned to the northeast before his death, living in Philadelphia. Upon news of her father falling gravely ill, Marks’ daughter, Sarah Marks Stockton, living in Princeton, New JerseyPrinceton, New JerseyPrinceton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
had him baptized by her Episcopalian minister. His grave is located in Princeton, New Jersey.
- Ferdinand Hirsch, (1845 - ?)
- Dr. Hermann KohlmeyerHermann KohlmeyerRev. Dr. Hermann Kohlmeyer was the rabbi of Congregation Shangarai Chasset in New Orleans, Louisiana.On January 17, 1847, the synagogue board unanimously elected Kohlmeyer to serve as its leader...
, (1847 - 1850)
- James Koppel GutheimJames Koppel GutheimJames Koppel Gutheim was the rabbi of Congregation Shangarai Chasset of New Orleans.He was born November 15, 1817, near Münster in Westphalia, Germany. In 1843, Gutheim arrived in the United States and immediately thrust himself upon the Jewish scene. Gutheim was a strong proponent of education,...
, (1850 – 1853, 1865 - 1868)
- Joseph Levin, (1855 - 1859)
- December, 1855: Reverend Jos. Levin is elected Rabbi. One Hundredth Anniversary of Touro Synagogue, 1828-1928
- Solomon Jacob (also referred to as Jacobs), (1859-1860)
- A native of LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Jacob was the rabbi and cantor through his death in 1860. Jacob also published a Jewish newspaper called the Cornerstone until his death.
- The Occident notes a rabbi with a similar name as having been a leader of the Ashkenazi Jewish community in KingstonKingston, JamaicaKingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, JamaicaJamaicaJamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
in various editions, (August 1846 and January and February 1851 to name a few) and it is possible that this was the same individual. It is interesting to note that the community members that later approached Rabbi Jacob's successor, Rabbi Illowy to determine the kosher status of the Muscovy duckMuscovy DuckThe Muscovy Duck is a large duck which is native to Mexico and Central and South America. A small wild population reaches into the United States in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas...
, cited that the duck had been ruled to be a kosher bird by the rabbinic authorities in Jamaica.
- In the "One Hundredth Anniversary of Touro Synagogue, 1828-1928", it is noted that in August, 1860, "Rev. Solomon Jacobs dies. Burial conducted by Rev. Herman Kohlmeyer."
- Dr. Yissochar Dov Bernard Illowy, (1861 – 1865)
- Isaac LeuchtIsaac LeuchtIsaac Leucht was a Reform Rabbi and communal leader in New Orleans. He was the last rabbi of Congregation Shangarai Chasset before it merged with Congregation Nefutzot Yehudah to become what is now the Touro Synagogue.In 1868, Leucht arrived in New Orleans to serve as Shangarai Chasset's...
, (1868 - 1872, 1879-1881, when congregation merged with the Nefutzot Yehudah)