Congregation of "Beth Israel." In 1856, a small number of Israelites residing in Brooklyn, having experienced much inconvenience from being obliged to go to New York to attend the meetings of their church, especially during the celebration of the festival of the Atonement, and the New Year, met together for the purpose of forming an independent congregation. Commencing with only ten members, they rapidly increased, and a society was organized of which M. Erlich, Esq., was elected president; a private room was hired and worship was conducted from such preachers as they could until they finally selected the Rabbi Joel Alexander as their pastor. By this time, the congregation, having increased in numbers and wealth, it was determined to erect a church edifice, and during the presidency of Solomon Furst, Esq., a site was procured, and the corner-stone laid on the 12th of January, 1862, by Moses Lewenthal, who was subsequently president of the society. The building was completed and dedicated, August 31, 1862, with appropriate services by Rabbis Raphael and Isaacs, in the presence of a large concourse of Israelites and others, including several prominent ministers of different denominations, some of whom delivered eloquent addresses. This synagogue, which is situated upon the corner of State and Boerum streets, cost $10,000, and the congregation is in a very flourishing condition. Attached to it is a school, under the care of the pastor, for the instruction of children in the Hebrew language. There are in Brooklyn, nearly one thousand families of the Jewish faith, and this synagogue has sent out two colonies, one the congregation of Baith Elohim, and the other worships in a private room in Hamilton avenue.
Rabbi Joel Alexander, the first pastor is a native of Posen, Prussia; was educated in the Jew's Seminary at Munster, graduating with the diploma of teacher and preacher. He was afterwards examined in the Talmud by the chief rabbis of the province of Posen, from whom he received the diploma of rabbi, and has since received a similar one from Dr. Adler, chief rabbi of London, England. Adolph Ressler is the present rabbi.
The Congregation of Beth Elohim was founded in October, 1861, by a secession from the Congregation Israel, and is mainly composed of German Israelites. Shortly after, they purchased the -edifice formerly known as Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church, in Pearl, between Concord and Nassau streets, at a cost of $5,100 ; which, together with an expense of $2,000 for alterations, was cheerfully borne by a congregation of only fifty members. This edifice was consecrated March 30, 1862; and in February, 1870, purchased the fine edifice previously occupied by the Central Presbyterian Church, in Schermerhorn, between Powers and Nevins streets, at a cost of $55,000. Previously to this time, also, the congregation had conducted their religious -services according to the orthodox ritual; but have now adopted, and on the 19th of February, 1870, inaugurated the moderate reform services. To the fidelity of its pastor, the Rabbi George Brandenstein, and the constant zeal of its officers, Moses Hess (president), Samuel Hess (vice president), S. Rosenberg (treasurer), this congregation is indebted for its prosperity.
Temple Israel. A number of the intelligent and progressive Jews of Brooklyn, assembled, November 18, 1869, at No. 30 Douglass street (A. Fleischauer), and organized a temple on the reformed basis, the services of which are to be in English, with the exception of the Psalms, which are to be rendered in Hebrew. Those signing the covenant, were S. L. Moses, M.D., Simon Soudhelm, A. Abrahams, A. Fleischauer, L. Bass, Sam. Corn, A. Isaacs, S. Langsfeld, Julius Baere, Bernhard Goodstein, Geo. Falk, Gabriel Baum, Sam. Wechsler, Sam. Koch, Isaac Dietz, et alios, trustees, Dr. S. L. Moses, president, A. Fleischauer, vice president, A. Abrahams, treasurer, Sam. Wechsler, J. Baere, S. Koch, S. Bass, G. Baum, secretaries. Their place of worship in the building occupied by the Young Men's Christian Association, corner of Fulton avenue and Gallatin place, was inaugurated, January 21, 1870.
Ahavis Achim. A society of reformed Jews, of the Eastern District, was established, and their Sepher Tore, or Book of the Law, dedicated at the hall, corner of Messerole and Ewen streets, August 31, 1869.