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14 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