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THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE
Pensacola, Florida Jewry Builds New Temp e
Entire Jewish Community Contributes Faithfully To New Project
By RABBI MARTIN FRIEDMAN
Special to The Southern Israelite
The center of in
terest for the past
months has been the
new Temple struc
ture which is in the
process of erection
on Palafox and Cer
vantes streets. On
December 17th, the
old Temple on East
Chase street which
had been in existence for 35
years was virtually destroyed by
fire. In spite of the economic
depression, Congregation Beth-El
decided to build a new edifice
upon lots owned by the congre
gation for several years.
Practically all members are contributing financially to the
building which, when completed, will represent a cost of approx
imately $50,000. It will have a seating capacity of 310 in the
main auditorium and additional accommodations for 80 in the
balcony. Pews and classroom equipment will combine modernity
with dignified beauty, in harmony with the general plan of the
building. The building committee is composed of Mr. Max L.
Bear, chairman, Mr. Joe M. Levy, Dr. M. A. Lischkoff and Mr.
Dan S. Oppenheimer, president of Congregation Beth-El.
this organization
stands out as
one of the leading
congregations in
Florida. Mr. Gerson
Forcheimer was the
first president, and
Samuel Lasky, the
Rabbi. At first the
services were in ev
ery respect orthodox,
and irregular, services being
held only on holidays and spe
cial occasions, as the congrega
tion consisted of no more than
fifteen to twenty families. By 1880
a wooden House of Worship was
erected, at which time the congre
gation was extensively reformed—preaviling to the present day.
Pensacola Jewry today enjoys the prestige of having the
second largest reform congregation in the State, having a most
modern and complete Religious School, and an active progres
sive Sisterhood.
Among those who added to the Temple building by their talent,
in addition to their personal contributions, were Mr. Harry
Wagenheim and Mr. Lep Wolff. The former, assisted by Mrs.
In bringing events of in
terest to the attention of
Southern Jewry for the
Holiday season, the activ
ities of the Jewish com
munity of Pensacola, Fla.
is worthy of calling to the
attention of our many
thousand readers. Through
the courtesy of the most
able Rabbi of Temple
Beth-El of Pensacola, ivho
is taking a vei'y active
part in J civish affairs,
we publish this article.
RABBI MARTIN FRIEDMAN
Congregation Beth-El
Pensacola, Fla.
MAX L. BAER
Chairman Building Committee
Temple Beth-El, Pensacola
John Samuels, produced an old-fashioned minstrel show; the
Historically Speaking
It is of interest to go back a bit and bring out some facts con
cerning the first Jewish congregation in Florida, historically
speaking, and the second largest in the state. Let us go back to
approximately seventy-five years ago, when Pensacola was but a
very small town, with bus several hundred civilian families
attached to and plying
trade with the sol
diers at the Fort, and
the sailors and fisher
men anchoring in the
Pensacola Bay. It was
then that the first
Jewish families set
tled in Pensacola, for
the purpose of trad
ing with groceries and
textile merchandise.
In 1874 a congrega
tion was organized,
Congregation Beth-El,
and to this day,
latter, with the able co-operation of Mr. Philip Klein, directed a
circus performance. Both were a perfect success, from the
standpoint of enjoyment as well as of revenue.
The congregation looks forward with great anticipa
tion to the completion of the Temple, sometime in
October. In the meantime services and Sabbath School are
conducted in the rooms
of the Progress Club
whose board ot trus
tees has been most
generous and mani
fested a beautiful
spirit of co-operation.
It is our hope that the
new building w be
not alone a sour e ot
pride to our people.but
but also aid us ir the
deepening of our
ish consciousnes and
our helpfulnes
humanity.
This beautiful temple will £ finked by‘oetobS-of ttis
as depicted by architect s drawfc* abJve