{{short description|Jewish synagogue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox religious building | building_name = Congregation Kesher Israel | image = KESHER ISRAEL Shul 412 Lombard, Philly.JPG | image_upright = 1.4 | caption = The synagogue, in 2014 | map_type = Philadelphia | map_size = 250 | map_caption = Location in [[Philadelphia]] | coordinates = {{Coord|39.942513|-75.149526|type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-PA|format=dms|display=it}} | location = 412-418 Lombard Street, [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] | country = United States | religious_affiliation = [[Conservative Judaism]] | rite = [[Nusach Ashkenaz]] | region = | province = | territory = | prefecture = | sector = | district = | cercle = | municipality = | consecration_year = {{ubl|1796 {{small|([[Church of Christ|First Independent Church of Christ]])}}|1897 {{small|([[synagogue|Kesher Israel]])}}}} | status = {{ubl|[[Church (building)|Church]] {{small|(1796&ndash;1887)}}|[[Synagogue]] {{small|(since 1889)}}}} | functional_status = Active | heritage_designation = | leadership = | website = {{URL|historickesherisrael.org}} | architect = J. Franklin Stuckert {{small|(1895)}} | architecture_type = [[Church (building)|Church]] | architecture_style = | general_contractor = | facade_direction = North | established = {{nowrap|1883 {{small|(as a Jewish congregation)}}}} | groundbreaking = | year_completed = {{ubl|1796 {{small|(as a church)}}|1889 {{small|(as a synagogue)}}}} | construction_cost = | specifications = | capacity = | length = | width = | width_nave = | height_max = | dome_quantity = | dome_height_outer = | dome_height_inner = | dome_dia_outer = | dome_dia_inner = | minaret_quantity = | minaret_height = | spire_quantity = | spire_height = | materials = | nrhp = | added = | refnum = | designated = | footnotes = <ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Building Intelligence |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=QhdLAQAAMAAJ&q=Congregation+Kesher+Israel+lombard+st&pg=RA1-PA155|magazine=The American Architect and Building News |publisher= James R. Osgood & Company|date=May 4, 1895|page=5|access-date=22 May 2016 }}</ref> }} '''Congregation Kesher Israel''' is a [[Conservative Judaism|Conservative]] [[Judaism|Jewish]] congregation and [[synagogue]] located in the [[Society Hill]] section of [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], in the United States. The synagogue is home to an active congregation with Shabbat and holy day services, a Hebrew school, adult education, and community programming.

== History == === Church === The earliest deed to the building was found in 1974 to date to 1793 and issued to Thomas Francis and the other trustees of the Independent Church which were the Unitarians.<ref>{{cite news |last=|first=|date=July 26, 1974 |title=Archaeologists Explore Kesher Israel Synagogue |work=Jewish Exponent|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|pages=37}}</ref> [[Joseph Priestley]] is credited with inspiring the creation in 1796 of the first Unitarian Society of Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bowden |first1=Mary Ellen|last2=Rosner|first2=Lisa|date=2005|title=Joseph Priestley, Radical Thinker: A Catalogue to Accompany the Exhibit at the Chemical Heritage Foundation Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Death of Joseph Priestley : 23 August 2004 to 29 July 2005 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JwjrZ8qygeEC&q=Congregation+Kesher+Israel+lombard+st&pg=PA54|location=Philadelphia |publisher=Chemical Heritage Foundation |page=34 |isbn=0941901386}}</ref> This group founded the first Independent Church of Christ and constructed its building at 412 Lombard Street in 1796. Priestly himself would come occasionally to preach at the church he inspired.

The original building extended {{convert|80|ft}} along Lombard Street and was {{convert|50|ft}} deep. There were originally five arched openings along Lombard Street. A passageway led from Lombard Street to a graveyard at the rear.

The Unitarian Society rented its [[sanctuary]] out to other Christian societies. [[Joseph Smith]] during a visit to Philadelphia preached at the Universalist Church in December 1839.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1993/05/news-of-the-church/site-of-joseph-smiths-1839-philadelphia-sermon-identified?lang=eng |title=Site of Joseph Smith's 1839 Philadelphia Sermon Identified |last1=Shiffert |first1=John |date=May 1993 |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints |access-date=22 May 2016 |quote=...a ... ledger book of the Universalist Church has finally identified a significant site in the history of the Church in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area. It reads as follows: '1840 January 14 For use of the Church from Rev. J. Smith by G. H. McCully $13.63.' 'Rev. J. Smith' was, of course, the Prophet Joseph Smith. The church was the First Independent Church of Christ, located at 412 Lombard Street in Philadelphia. And the occasion was ...—the day in the last week of December 1839 when 'a very large church was opened for [Joseph Smith] to preach in, and about three thousand people assembled to hear him.' (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1979, p. 298.)}}</ref>

The church had vacated the building at 412 Lombard Street by 1887.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jgsgp.org/Pages/April2008.html|title=April 2008 meeting |date=April 2008 |website=jgsgp.org|publisher=Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Philadelphia|access-date= 22 May 2016}}</ref>

=== Synagogue === Bnai Jacob synagogue was founded in 1883 and purchased the vacant 700-seat church in 1888 for $9,000. The first members with Russian Hasidim and held prayers according to the [[Nusach Sefard|Sephard liturgy]].<ref>{{cite news |last=|first=|date=July 26, 1896 |title=History of the Synagogue "Kesher Israel"|work=Jewish Exponent|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|pages=6}}</ref> As a condition of the sale, the Unitarian Society removed the graves from the church yard; they were reinterred at Fernwood Cemetery in [[Lansdowne, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Moss |first=Roger W.|date=2005 |title=Historic Sacred Places of Philadelphia |location=Philadelphia |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|pages=70–73 |isbn=0812237927}}</ref>

Rodephe Tzedek ("Rudve Tzedek Society" in some sources), another neighborhood shul founded in 1887, merged with Bnai Jacob in 1894. They formed a new congregation called Kesher Israel.<ref>{{cite book |date=October 1, 2006 |title=Traditions in Transition: Jewish Culture in Philadelphia, 1840-1940 |publisher=The Historical Society of PA |page=50 |isbn=1422358291}}</ref> The synagogue's charter was filed on June 21, 1894, and approved by Judge M. Arnold, July 14, 1894, in Common Pleas No. 4, Philadelphia County.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://jgsgp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NC-2009-Resource-Directory.pdf | title=Philadelphia Area - Jewish Genealogical Resource Directory | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030141847/https://jgsgp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NC-2009-Resource-Directory.pdf | archive-date=2017-10-30}}</ref> Henry Morias updated his history of the Jews of Philadelphia to include the creation of Kesher Israel that year:<blockquote>"Bene Ya'acob" Congregation and ''Chebrah'' Rodephe Tsedek, Anshe Szager ... united during August, 1894-5654, and substituted, for their respective names, "Kesher 'Israel" (The Bond of Israel). A Congregational charter has been obtained, and the worship will continue at the Synagogue of the former Congregation, on the south side of Lombard Street, west of Fourth Street. The building will be enlarged and altered...<ref>{{cite book |last=Morais |first=Henry Samuel |date=1894 |title=The Jews of Philadelphia: Their History from the Earliest Settlements to the Present Time; a Record of Events and Institutions, and of Leading Members of the Jewish Community in Every Sphere of Activity |url=https://archive.org/details/jewsphiladelphi01moragoog |quote=Congregation Kesher Israel lombard st. |location=Philadelphia |publisher=Levytype Company |page=[https://archive.org/details/jewsphiladelphi01moragoog/page/n594 572] }}</ref></blockquote>

On January 24, 1897, the congregation dedicated its new synagogue building.<ref>{{cite book |last=Childs |first=G.W. |date=1898 |title=Public Ledger Almanac |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Obg9AQAAMAAJ&q=Congregation+Kesher+Israel+lombard+st&pg=PA70|page=70}}</ref>The synagogue was renovated with a women's gallery, new education building, and seating expanded from 800 to 1,400.<ref>{{cite journal |date=1898 |title=Domestic Notes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fp0XAQAAIAAJ&q=Congregation+Kesher+Israel+lombard+st&pg=PA171|journal=The Menorah|publisher=Jewish Chautauqua Society|issue=22 |pages=171 |access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref> The dedication was presided over by Kesher Israel cantor I. Goldberg, opening prayers were delivered by Mikveh Israel rabbi [[Sabato Morais]] and remarks were delivered in German by Rabbi Dr. [[Marcus Jastrow]].<ref>{{cite news |last=|first=|date=January 29, 1897 |title=Kesher Israel; Down-town Synagogue Dedicated with Impressive Services last Sunday.|work=Jewish Exponent|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|pages=2}}</ref>

In the fall of 1897, one of the first large Zionist meetings in the United States was held at Kesher Israel after Theodor Herzl convened the First Zionist Congress in Basle Switzerland. Kesher Israel became a central meeting hall for early Zionists in Philadelphia. The synagogue hosted the convention of the United Orthodox Rabbis of America in December 1909 presided over by its president, Rabbi [[Bernard L. Levinthal]], who was also dean of Philadelphia's orthodox community.<ref>{{cite news |last=|first=|date=December 10, 1909 |title=Orthodox Rabbis Conclude Sessions|work=Jewish Exponent|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|pages=8}}</ref>

On December 4, 1919, the basement heater ignited a fire that damaged the building's sanctuary, hallways, and rooms. While the total loss was $1,500, no one was hurt and congregants who lived nearby helped retrieve holy objects from the building.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 4, 1919 |title=Fire in synagogue does $1500 damage |work=The Evening Ledger |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |page=6}}</ref>

Rabbi Joseph Snapir served Kesher Israel until his passing, and was replaced by Harry Beitchman as rabbi in 1972.<ref>{{cite news |date= August 4, 1972|title=Rabbi Israel Wolmark Appointed by Shari Eli|newspaper=Jewish Exponent|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|page=43}}</ref> Rabbi Ivan Caine led Kesher Israel on a part-time basis in the mid-1970s, splitting his time with [[Society Hill Synagogue]] also in the neighborhood. The synagogue during this period held morning as well as afternoon services but struggled to secure a minyan of ten men. One wealthier member paid others between $8 and $15 a week to attend and preserve the services.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dubin |first=Murray|date=December 8, 1974 |title=Orthodox Jews Fade Away in Society Hill|work=Philadelphia Inquirer|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|pages=1B, 10B}}</ref>

The building fell into disrepair in the 1970s and 1980s. The building's roof leaked unchecked for 20 years. The water created a hole in the ceiling was repaired for $80,000. Much of the funds came from historic preservation grants.<ref>{{cite news |last=Blake|first=Joseph P.|date=May 11, 1991 |title=Structurally imperfect agency seeks to preserve old churches|work=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|pages=11}}</ref>

In 1995, Kesher Israel had neither rabbi nor janitor, and its membership dues remained $10/year. The congregation had replaced the roof but its ceiling, stained glass, bricks, and masonry all required repair.<ref>{{cite news |last=Avery|first=Ron|date=October 19, 1995 |title=Worshippers paint up, fix up time takes toll on churches, synagogues|work=Philadelphia Daily News|location=Philadelphia |pages=10}}</ref>

In 1998, congregant Michael Yaron donated $2&nbsp;million to the synagogue to renovate the sanctuary and building.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nark |first=Jason |date=March 23, 2012 |title=Jail could await Old City developer, again |url=http://articles.philly.com/2012-03-23/news/31230006_1_condo-project-ed-rendell-developer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426091008/http://articles.philly.com/2012-03-23/news/31230006_1_condo-project-ed-rendell-developer |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 26, 2013 |newspaper=Daily News |location=Philadelphia|access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref> The congregation began the renovations in January 1998, and in September 1998 celebrated the completion of the project.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 10, 1998 |title=As I see It: Answered Prayers|newspaper=Jewish Exponent |location=Philadelphia}}</ref>

Harry Boonin chronicled the history of the synagogue and published the book ''The Life and Times of Congregation Kesher Israel'' in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avotaynuonline.com/2008/10/book-review-the-life-and-times-of-congregation-kesher-israel-by-harry-d-boonin/ |title=Book Review: The Life and Times of Congregation Kesher Israel, by Harry D. Boonin |last1=Gladstone|first1= Bill|date=October 1, 2008|website=avotaynuonline.com |publisher=Avotaynu Online |access-date=22 May 2016 }}</ref> Mitchell Romirowsky has served as the synagogue's interim rabbi since 2018.

== See also == {{stack|{{Portal|Philadelphia|Judaism}}}} * [[History of the Jews in Pennsylvania]]

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== *{{Official website|http://historickesherisrael.org}}

{{Society Hill}} {{Synagogues in the United States}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kesher Israel}} [[Category:1883 establishments in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:20th-century synagogues in the United States]] [[Category:Ashkenazi Jewish culture in Philadelphia]] [[Category:Ashkenazi synagogues in the United States]] [[Category:Church buildings converted to a different denomination]] [[Category:Churches completed in 1796]] [[Category:Churches in Philadelphia]] [[Category:Conservative synagogues in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Former churches in Philadelphia]] [[Category:Jewish organizations established in 1883]] [[Category:Society Hill, Philadelphia]] [[Category:Synagogues completed in 1897]] [[Category:Synagogues in Philadelphia]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Philadelphia]]