Category Archives: Historical Sites

Rock Hill Merchants Marker Dedication

Rock Hill, SC

Mapping Jewish Charleston

Though Charleston’s Jewish history, dating back to the late 17th century, is becoming better known to academics, most people are unaware of the basic facts. How many know, for example, that 200 years ago Charleston boasted the largest Jewish population on the North American continent, and that Carolina claims many firsts in Jewish history—the first […]

Summerville Historical Marker Dedication

Central Avenue Summerville SC May 21 2017   Dedication of Marker – Central Avenue, across from Eclectic Chef Panel discussion – Jewish Life in Flowertown Moderator: Spencer Lynch Panelists: Sallie Wolper Boyles, Jane Barshay Burns, Marjorie Levy Lynch, Paul Lynch, Rosalyn Kramer Monat-Haller, Vivian Rose Walking tour of downtown Summerville Jewish heritage sites or driving tour […]

Columbia Beth Shalom Cemetery Historical Marker

1300 Whaley Street Columbia SC January 15, 2017 BETH SHALOM CEMETERY In 1883 members of Columbia’s Jewish community founded the Hebrew Cemetery Society of Columbia as an alternative to the Hebrew Benevolent Society’s cemetery, which had been established in 1822. The organization purchased a 4-acre tract bounded by Indigo (Whaley), Lower (Heyward), Marion, and Sumter streets as […]

Columbia – Tree of Life Historical Marker

December 11, 2016 Columbia SC   Tree of Life Synagogue In 1896 members of 18 Jewish families assembled to worship at the Independent Fire Company’s station overlooking Sidney Park. Organized as Etz Chayim (Tree of Life), this group’s members embraced Judaism’s Reform branch or liberal movement. In 1907, members moved into the first temple built in […]

Orangeburg Historical Marker Dedication

Russell StreetOrangeburg, SCNovember 8, 2015   Orangeburg Historical Marker Wording Jewish Merchants Russell St., historic hub of Orangeburg’s commercial life, was home to Jewish merchants for over 100 years. German Jews began settling in Orangeburg in the 1850’s followed in the next century by Eastern European Jews. Deopold Louis was likely the first Jewish merchant […]

Pocket Guide to KKBE and Charleston Jewish History

Click to view the Pocket Guide to Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim and Charleston Jewish History This publication is the work of many hands. We express our sincere appreciation to the following individuals: William A. Rosenthall, OBM, Rabbi Emeritus; Anthony D. Holz, Rabbi Emeritus; Solomon Breibart, OBM, Historian and recipient of Order of Jewish Palmetto by […]

Orangeburg History

Midlands Merchants: The Jews of Orangeburg and Vicinity German Jews began settling in Orangeburgh (as it was originally spelled) in the early 1840s, once railroads connected the village of fewer than 400 to Charleston and Columbia. By 1853, the town’s population had more than doubled. Originally established as an Indian trading post called Edisto, the settlement was renamed in honor of […]

Walking Tour of Congregation Beth Yam

Our House by the Sea: Art, Culture, Symbols, and Values Congregation Beth Yam is proud of its collection of ritual art and sacred objects that are integrated into the architecture of our synagogue. This beautiful brochure represents another example of building the spiritual community that forms the core of our temple. Judaism has a long history […]

Beth Yam History

A History of Congregation Beth Yam4501 Meeting StreetHilton Head, SC 29926 In the beginning the Jews of Hilton Head were few and scattered and were without form. Jews had come to visit, but developers did not encourage settlement. Nevertheless, the first Jewish wedding took place on August 24, 1974. The marriage of Cosimo and Deborah […]