# Congregation Kesher Israel (Philadelphia)

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Congregation_Kesher_Israel_(Philadelphia)
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Congregation_Kesher_Israel_(Philadelphia).md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congregation_Kesher_Israel_(Philadelphia)
> Source revision: 1351293781
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Jewish synagogue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Congregation Kesher Israel The synagogue, in 2014 Religion Affiliation Conservative Judaism Rite Nusach Ashkenaz Ecclesiastical or organizational status Church (1796–1887) Synagogue (since 1889) Year consecrated 1796 (First Independent Church of Christ) 1897 (Kesher Israel) Status Active Location Location 412-418 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Country United States Location in Philadelphia Coordinates 39°56′33″N 75°08′58″W / 39.942513°N 75.149526°W / 39.942513; -75.149526 Architecture Architect J. Franklin Stuckert (1895) Type Church Established 1883 (as a Jewish congregation) Completed 1796 (as a church) 1889 (as a synagogue) Direction of façade North Website historickesherisrael.org [1]

**Congregation Kesher Israel** is a [Conservative](/source/Conservative_Judaism) [Jewish](/source/Judaism) congregation and [synagogue](/source/Synagogue) located in the [Society Hill](/source/Society_Hill) section of [Center City Philadelphia](/source/Center_City%2C_Philadelphia), [Pennsylvania](/source/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.[2] [Joseph Priestley](/source/Joseph_Priestley) is credited with inspiring the creation in 1796 of the first Unitarian Society of Philadelphia.[3] 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 80 feet (24 m) along Lombard Street and was 50 feet (15 m) 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](/source/Sanctuary) out to other Christian societies. [Joseph Smith](/source/Joseph_Smith) during a visit to Philadelphia preached at the Universalist Church in December 1839.[4]

The church had vacated the building at 412 Lombard Street by 1887.[5]

### 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 [Sephard liturgy](/source/Nusach_Sefard).[6] 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](/source/Lansdowne%2C_Pennsylvania).[7]

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.[8] 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.[9] Henry Morias updated his history of the Jews of Philadelphia to include the creation of Kesher Israel that year:

"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...[10]

On January 24, 1897, the congregation dedicated its new synagogue building.[11]The synagogue was renovated with a women's gallery, new education building, and seating expanded from 800 to 1,400.[12] The dedication was presided over by Kesher Israel cantor I. Goldberg, opening prayers were delivered by Mikveh Israel rabbi [Sabato Morais](/source/Sabato_Morais) and remarks were delivered in German by Rabbi Dr. [Marcus Jastrow](/source/Marcus_Jastrow).[13]

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](/source/Bernard_L._Levinthal), who was also dean of Philadelphia's orthodox community.[14]

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.[15]

Rabbi Joseph Snapir served Kesher Israel until his passing, and was replaced by Harry Beitchman as rabbi in 1972.[16] Rabbi Ivan Caine led Kesher Israel on a part-time basis in the mid-1970s, splitting his time with [Society Hill Synagogue](/source/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.[17]

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.[18]

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.[19]

In 1998, congregant Michael Yaron donated $2 million to the synagogue to renovate the sanctuary and building.[20] The congregation began the renovations in January 1998, and in September 1998 celebrated the completion of the project.[21]

Harry Boonin chronicled the history of the synagogue and published the book *The Life and Times of Congregation Kesher Israel* in 2007.[22] Mitchell Romirowsky has served as the synagogue's interim rabbi since 2018.

## See also

- [Philadelphia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Philadelphia)
- [Judaism portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Judaism)

- [History of the Jews in Pennsylvania](/source/History_of_the_Jews_in_Pennsylvania)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Building Intelligence"](https://books.google.com/books?id=QhdLAQAAMAAJ&q=Congregation+Kesher+Israel+lombard+st&pg=RA1-PA155). *The American Architect and Building News*. James R. Osgood & Company. May 4, 1895. p. 5. Retrieved May 22, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** "Archaeologists Explore Kesher Israel Synagogue". *Jewish Exponent*. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. July 26, 1974. p. 37.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Bowden, Mary Ellen; Rosner, Lisa (2005). [*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*](https://books.google.com/books?id=JwjrZ8qygeEC&q=Congregation+Kesher+Israel+lombard+st&pg=PA54). Philadelphia: Chemical Heritage Foundation. p. 34. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0941901386](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0941901386).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Shiffert, John (May 1993). ["Site of Joseph Smith's 1839 Philadelphia Sermon Identified"](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1993/05/news-of-the-church/site-of-joseph-smiths-1839-philadelphia-sermon-identified?lang=eng). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Retrieved May 22, 2016. ...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.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["April 2008 meeting"](http://www.jgsgp.org/Pages/April2008.html). *jgsgp.org*. Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Philadelphia. April 2008. Retrieved May 22, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** "History of the Synagogue "Kesher Israel"". *Jewish Exponent*. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. July 26, 1896. p. 6.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Moss, Roger W. (2005). *Historic Sacred Places of Philadelphia*. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 70–73. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0812237927](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0812237927).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** *Traditions in Transition: Jewish Culture in Philadelphia, 1840-1940*. The Historical Society of PA. October 1, 2006. p. 50. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1422358291](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1422358291).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Philadelphia Area - Jewish Genealogical Resource Directory"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171030141847/https://jgsgp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NC-2009-Resource-Directory.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](https://jgsgp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/NC-2009-Resource-Directory.pdf) (PDF) on October 30, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Morais, Henry Samuel (1894). [*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*](https://archive.org/details/jewsphiladelphi01moragoog). Philadelphia: Levytype Company. p. [572](https://archive.org/details/jewsphiladelphi01moragoog/page/n594). Congregation Kesher Israel lombard st.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Childs, G.W. (1898). [*Public Ledger Almanac*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Obg9AQAAMAAJ&q=Congregation+Kesher+Israel+lombard+st&pg=PA70). p. 70.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Domestic Notes"](https://books.google.com/books?id=Fp0XAQAAIAAJ&q=Congregation+Kesher+Israel+lombard+st&pg=PA171). *The Menorah* (22). Jewish Chautauqua Society: 171. 1898. Retrieved May 22, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** "Kesher Israel; Down-town Synagogue Dedicated with Impressive Services last Sunday". *Jewish Exponent*. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. January 29, 1897. p. 2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** "Orthodox Rabbis Conclude Sessions". *Jewish Exponent*. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. December 10, 1909. p. 8.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** "Fire in synagogue does $1500 damage". *The Evening Ledger*. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. December 4, 1919. p. 6.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** "Rabbi Israel Wolmark Appointed by Shari Eli". *Jewish Exponent*. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. August 4, 1972. p. 43.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Dubin, Murray (December 8, 1974). "Orthodox Jews Fade Away in Society Hill". *Philadelphia Inquirer*. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. pp. 1B, 10B.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Blake, Joseph P. (May 11, 1991). "Structurally imperfect agency seeks to preserve old churches". *Philadelphia Daily News*. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. p. 11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Avery, Ron (October 19, 1995). "Worshippers paint up, fix up time takes toll on churches, synagogues". *Philadelphia Daily News*. Philadelphia. p. 10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Nark, Jason (March 23, 2012). ["Jail could await Old City developer, again"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130426091008/http://articles.philly.com/2012-03-23/news/31230006_1_condo-project-ed-rendell-developer). *Daily News*. Philadelphia. Archived from [the original](http://articles.philly.com/2012-03-23/news/31230006_1_condo-project-ed-rendell-developer) on April 26, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** "As I see It: Answered Prayers". *Jewish Exponent*. Philadelphia. September 10, 1998.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Gladstone, Bill (October 1, 2008). ["Book Review: The Life and Times of Congregation Kesher Israel, by Harry D. Boonin"](http://www.avotaynuonline.com/2008/10/book-review-the-life-and-times-of-congregation-kesher-israel-by-harry-d-boonin/). *avotaynuonline.com*. Avotaynu Online. Retrieved May 22, 2016.

## External links

- [Official website](http://historickesherisrael.org)

v t e Society Hill Northwest Quadrant Parks Washington Square Tomb of the Unknown Soldier The Rose Garden The Magnolia Garden Congregations Holy Trinity Church Other landmarks The St. James Athenaeum of Philadelphia The Lippincott Dilworth House Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial Philadelphia Contributionship Shippen-Wistar House Northeast Quadrant Parks Korean War Memorial Congregations Old St. Joseph's Church Old St. Mary's Church St. Paul's Church Other landmarks Society Hill Towers Powel House Dolley Todd House Dock Creek Bathsheba's spring and bower Benjamin Loxley house Dock Street Market Polish American Cultural Center The Willings Bell's Court Davis-Lenox House John Penn's House Southwest Quadrant Parks Starr Garden Park Congregations Society Hill Synagogue Congregation Kesher Israel B'nai Abraham Synagogue Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church Vilna Congregation Old Pine Street Church Presbyterian Historical Society Other landmarks McCall School Thomas Sully Residence Southeast Quadrant Parks Delancey Park Congregations St. Peter's Church Other landmarks Head House Square New Market and Head House St. Peter's School Drinker's Court Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial Cassey House Hill–Physick–Keith House Quadrants are divided along Fourth and Spruce streets. This list is incomplete.

v t e Synagogues in the United States By state Alabama Beth-El (Anniston) Knesseth Israel (Birmingham) Beth-El (Birmingham) Emanu-El (Birmingham) B'nai Sholom (Huntsville) Sha’arai Shomayim (Mobile) Agudath Israel Etz Ahayem (Montgomery) Beth Or (Montgomery) Alaska Arizona Beth Israel (Scottsdale) Emanuel (Tempe) Kol Ami (Tucson) Arkansas Shalom (Fayetteville) California Los Angeles Stephen Wise Temple (Bel Air) Beth Jacob (Beverly Hills) Emanuel (Beverly Hills) Valley Beth Shalom (Encino) Beth Israel (Highland Park & Eagle Rock) Temple Israel (Hollywood) Beth Am IKAR (LA) Wilshire Boulevard (LA) Beth Chayim Chadashim (Mid City) Ahavat Shalom (Northridge) Kehillat Israel (Pacific Palisades) Ner Tamid (Rancho Palos Verdes) Jewish Temple and Center (Pasadena) Pacific Jewish Center (Venice) Sephardic Temple (Westwood) Sinai Temple (Westwood) Bay Area Beth Israel (Berkeley) Beyt Tikkun (Berkeley) Peninsula Temple Sholom (Burlingame) B'nai Israel (Daly City) Beth Am (Los Altos Hills) Kehilla Community (Oakland) Temple Sinai (Oakland) Am Tikvah (San Francisco) Beth Sholom (San Francisco) Emanu-El (San Francisco) House of Love and Prayer (San Francisco) The Kitchen (San Francisco) Sherith Israel (San Francisco) Rodef Sholom (San Rafael) Kol Shofar (Tiburon) Beth Israel (Fresno) Chabad (Poway) B'nai Israel (Sacramento) Beth Israel (San Diego) Temple Israel (Stockton) Colorado Beth HaMedrosh Hagodol-Beth Joseph (Denver) Temple Emanuel (Denver) Temple Sinai (Denver) Temple Emanuel (Pueblo) Temple Aaron (Trinidad) Connecticut B'nai Israel (Bridgeport) Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (Chester) Knesseth Israel (Ellington) Ahavath Achim (Fairfield) Mishkan Israel (Hamden) Beth Israel (Hartford West) Tephereth Israel (New Britain) Beth Israel (New Haven) Agudath Sholom (Stamford) Israel (Westport) B'nai Jacob (Woodbridge) Hebrew Congregation of Woodmont Delaware District of Columbia Adas Israel Bet Mishpachah DC Minyan Kesher Israel Machar Ohev Sholom Rosh Pina Sixth & I Temple Micah Washington Hebrew Florida Ahavath Chesed (Jacksonville) Bal Harbour (Surfside) Bet Shira (Miami) Edmond J. Safra (Miami) Beth Sholom (Miami Beach) Cuban Hebrew (Miami Beach) Emanu-El (Palm Beach) New (Palm Beach) Beth-El (Pensacola) Georgia Beth Jacob (Atlanta) Shearith Israel (Atlanta) Temple (Atlanta) B'nai Israel (Augusta) Beth Israel (Macon) B'nai Torah (Sandy Springs) Mickve Israel (Savannah) Hawaii Aloha Jewish Chapel (Pearl Harbor) Emanu-El (Honolulu) Idaho Ahavath Beth Israel (Boise) Illinois Chicagoland Anshe Emet Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Beth Shalom Emanuel Congregation KAM Isaiah Israel Loop Synagogue Makom Solel Lakeside Mishkan North Shore Congregation Israel Beth El (Highland Park) Temple Sholom Sinai Tzedek Moses Montefiore (Bloomington) Jewish Community Center (Mattoon) Anshai Emeth (Peoria) Indiana Achduth Vesholom (Fort Wayne) Indianapolis Hebrew Iowa B'nai Israel (Council Bluffs) Beit Shalom (Davenport) United Orthodox (Sioux City) Kansas Beth Israel Abraham Voliner (Kansas City) B'nai Jehudah (Overland Park) Kentucky Adath Israel Brith Sholom (Louisville) Anshei Sfard (Louisville) Keneseth Israel (Louisville) Adath Israel (Owensboro) Temple Israel (Paducah) Louisiana B'nai Israel (Alexandria) Gemiluth Chassodim (Alexandria) Anshe Sfard (New Orleans) Beth Israel (New Orleans) Sinai (New Orleans) Touro (New Orleans) B'Nai Zion (Shreveport) Maine Beth Israel (Bangor) Etz Chaim (Portland) Shaarey Tphiloh (Portland) Maryland Baltimore B'nai Israel Hebrew Beth Am Shearith Israel Shomrei Emunah Tiferes Yisroel Naval Academy (Annapolis) Beth El (Bethesda) Bethesda Jewish Congregation Beth Shalom (Columbia) B'er Chayim (Cumberland) B'Nai Israel (Easton) Beth Sholom (Frederick) Kol Ami (Frederick) Emanuel (Kensington) Oseh Shalom (Laurel) Magen David Sephardic (North Bethesda) Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah (Olney) Beth El (Pikesville) Beth Tfiloh (Pikesville) Har Sinai – Oheb Shalom (Pikesville) Beth Sholom and Talmud Torah (Potomac) Beth Israel (Salisbury) Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Silver Spring) B'nai Israel (Rockville) Massachusetts Temple Israel (Boston) Ohabei Shalom (Brookline) Kahal B'raira (Cambridge) Agudath Shalom (Chelsea) Beth Israel (Malden) Adams Street (Newton) Shaarei Tefillah (Newton) Beth Israel (North Adams) Beth Israel (Onset) Anshe Amunim (Pittsfield) Sinai Temple (Springfield) Ahavath Torah (Stoughton) Beth Israel (Worcester) Emanuel Sinai (Worcester) Michigan Beth El (Alpena) Beth Emeth (Ann Arbor) Beth Israel (Ann Arbor) Beth El (Detroit) Birmingham Temple (Detroit) Isaac Agree Downtown (Detroit) Temple Emanuel (Grand Rapids) Temple Jacob (Hancock) Beth Sholom (Marquette) Beth Israel (Jackson) Temple Israel (West Bloomfield) Minnesota Beth Jacob (Mendota Heights) Temple Israel (Minneapolis) Adath Jeshurun (Minnetonka) Beth El (St Louis Park) Mount Zion (St Paul) Or Emet (St Paul) Mississippi Adath Israel (Cleveland) Beth Israel (Jackson) Beth Israel (Meridian) B'nai Israel (Tupelo) Missouri United Hebrew (Chesterfield) B'nai Amoona (Creve Coeur) Shaare Emeth (Creve Coeur) Temple Israel (Creve Coeur) Beth El (Jefferson City) Montana Nebraska B'nai Jeshurun / South Street (Lincoln) Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey Beth Sholom (Cherry Hill) Kol Ami (Cherry Hill) Synagogue of Deal Beth Hillel (Deerville) Ahavath Torah (Englewood) Barnert (Franklin Lakes) Agudath Achim (Freehold) Etz Ahaim Sephardic (Highland Park) United Synagogue of Hoboken Beth-El (Jersey City) Adas Emuno (Leonia) B'Nai Abraham (Livingston) Shaari Emeth (Manalapan) Marlboro Jewish Center B'nai Israel (Millburn) Beth Hillel Beth Abraham (Millville) Morristown Jewish Center Beth Israel (Ridgewood) Rosenhayn Synagogue Oheb Shalom (South Orange) Beth El (Voorhees) New Mexico Albert (Albuquerque) B'nai Israel (Albuquerque) New York The Bronx Adath Israel Hebrew Institute Riverdale Center Riverdale Temple Brooklyn Magen David (Bensonhurst) Chevra Anshei Lubawitz (Borough Park) Shomrei Emunah (Borough Park) Young Israel Beth El (Borough Park) Kane Street/Baith Israel Anshei Emes (Cobble Hill) 770 (Crown Heights) CAY (Crown Heights) Kol Israel (Crown Heights) Beth El (Flatbush) Khal Hisachdus Yirieim Veretzky (Flatbush) Shaare Zion (Gravesend) Edmond J. Safra (Homecrest) Ocean Parkway (Kensington) Manhattan Beach Jewish Center B'nai Yosef (Mapleton) East Midwood (Midwood) Kingsway Center (Midwood) Sephardic Center (Mills Basin) Beth Elohim (Park Slope) Kolot Chayeinu (Park Slope) Park Slope (Park Slope) Beth Jacob Ohev Sholom (Williamsburg) Yetev Lev D'Satmar (Hooper St, Williamsburg) Yetev Lev D'Satmar (Rodney St, Williamsburg) Long Island Jewish Center (Atlantic Beach) Jewish Center (East Hampton) East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center North Country Reform (Glen Cove) Beth-El (Great Neck) Tifereth Israel (Greenport) Jericho Jewish Center Emanu-El (Long Beach) RSNS (Plandome) Beth Israel (Port Washington) Adas Israel (Sag Harbor) Aish Kodesh (Woodmere) Manhattan Altneu Sixth Street (East Village) Meserich (East Village) Beth Israel (Garment District) Millinery Center (Garment District) Old Broadway (Harlem) Actor's Temple (Hells Kitchen) Fort Tryon (Hudson Heights) Lincoln Square (Lincoln Square) Bialystoker (Lower East Side) City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism (Lower East Side) Chasam Sopher (Lower E. Side) Eldridge Street (Lower E. Side) Kehila Kedosha Janina (Lower E. Side) Shul of New York (Lower E. Side) Stanton Street (Lower East) Talmud Torah Adereth El (Midtown East) Lab/Shul (Lower W. Side) Beit Simchat Torah (Midtown) Central Synagogue (Midtown) Sutton Place (Midtown) TriBeCa Synagogue (Tribeca) Temple Emanu-El (Upper E. Side) Fifth Avenue (Upper E. Side) Temple Israel (Upper E. Side) Kehilath Jeshurun (Upper E. Side) Or Zarua (Upper E. Side) Park Avenue (Upper E. Side) Park East (Upper E. Side) Edmond J. Safra (Upper E. Side) Shaaray Tefila (Upper E. Side) TUJ (Upper E. Side) Ansche Chesed (Upper W. Side) B'nai Jeshurun (Upper W. Side) Habonim (Upper W. Side) Jewish Center (Upper W. Side) Kol Zimrah (Upper W. Side) Ohab Zedek (Upper W. Side) Ramath Orah (Upper W. Side) Rodeph Sholom (Upper W. Side) Romemu (Upper W. Side) Shaare Zedek (Upper W. Side) Shearith Israel (Upper W. Side) SAJ (Upper W. Side) Stephen Wise (Upper W. Side) Hebrew Tabernacle of Washington Heights K'hal Adath Jeshurun (Washington Hts.) Mount Sinai (Washington Hts.) Queens Center of Israel (Astoria) Etz Hayim (Bayside) Tifereth Israel (Corona) Free Synagogue of Flushing Georgian Jews (Forest Hills) Queens Center (Forest Hills) Rego Park (Rego Park) Beth Emeth (Albany) Beth David (Amenia) Beth Zion (Buffalo) Beth El (Chappaqua) Beth Shalom (Clifton Park) B'nai Israel (Fleischmanns) Hunter (Hunter) Kerhonkson Synagogue (Kerhonkson) Loch Sheldrake Synagogue Agudas Achim (Livingston Manor) Hebrew Congregation (Mountaindale) Jewish Center (Norwich) Beth Israel (Plattsburgh) Kneses Tifereth Israel (Port Chester) B'rith Kodesh (Rochester) Beth Tzedek (Getzville) South Fallsburg Hebrew Association Emanu-El (Staten Island) Anshei Glen Wild (Sullivan Co.) Bikur Cholim B'nai Israel (Swan Lake) Society of Concord (Syracuse) Berith Sholom (Troy) Beth Joseph Synagogue (Tupper Lake) Spring Glen Synagogue (Wawarsing) Ulster Heights Synagogue (Wawarsing) West Point Jewish Chapel Temple Israel (White Plains) B'nai Israel (Woodbourne) Ohave Shalom (Woodridge) Lincoln Park (Yonkers) North Carolina Beth Israel (Asheville) Temple Israel (Charlotte) Temple Israel (Kinston) Emanuel (Statesville) Temple of Israel (Wilmington) North Dakota B'nai Israel (Grand Forks) Ohio Tifereth-Israel (Beachwood) Agudas Achim (Bexley) Golf Manor (Cincinnati) Rockdale (Cincinnati) Wise Temple (Cincinnati) Anshe Chesed Fairmount (Cleveland) Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai (Cleveland) Park Synagogue (Cleveland) Silver Sanctuary (Cleveland) Temple Israel (Columbus) Temple Israel (Dayton) Beth Israel (Hamilton) B'nai Israel (Toledo) Oklahoma B'nai Israel (Oklahoma City) Temple Israel (Tulsa) Oregon Beth Israel (Eugene) Beth Israel (Portland) Havurah Shalom (Portland) Neveh Shalom (Portland) Shaarie Torah (Portland) Pennsylvania Philadelphia Beit Harambam Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel B'nai Abraham Frank Memorial Germantown Jewish Centre Keneseth Israel Kesher Israel Mikveh Israel Rodeph Shalom Shivtei Yeshuron-Ezras Israel Society Hill South Philadelphia Shtiebel Vilna Congregation YPC Shari-Eli Beth Israel (Altoona) Beth Israel (Chester Co.) B'nai Shalom (Easton) Anshe Hesed (Erie) Beth Shalom (Elkins Park) Kesher Israel (Harrisburg) Ohev Sholom (Harrisburg) Beth Israel (Honesdale) Beth Israel (Lebanon) Beth Or (Maple Glen) Adath Israel (Merion) B'nai Jacob (Middletown) Har Zion Temple (Penn Valley) Rodef Shalom (Pittsburgh) Tree of Life – Or L'Simcha (Pittsburgh) Kesher Zion (Reading) Beth Israel (Washington) Main Line Reform Temple (Wynnewood) Beth Israel (York) Rhode Island Touro (Newport) Beth-El (Providence) Sons of Jacob (Providence) South Carolina Beth Israel (Beaufort) Beth Elohim (Charleston) House of Peace (Columbia) Beth Israel (Florence) Beth Elohim (Georgetown) Kol Ami (Fort Mill) Sinai (Sumter) Tennessee Adas Israel (Brownsville) Mizpah (Chattanooga) B'nai Israel (Jackson) Baron Hirsch (Memphis) Temple Israel (Memphis) Ohabai Sholom (Nashville) Sherith Israel (Nashville) Texas Agudas Achim (Austin) Beth Israel (Austin) Emanuel (Beaumont) B'nai Abraham (Brenham) Emanu-El (Dallas) Beth Jacob (Galveston) B'nai Israel (Galveston) Beth Israel (Houston) Beth Yeshurun (Houston) Sinai (Houston) Beth-El (San Antonio) Utah B'rith Sholem (Ogden) Kol Ami (Salt Lake City) Vermont Ohavi Zedek (Burlington) Old Ohavi Zedek (Burlington) Rutland Jewish Center Virginia Agudas Achim (Alexandria) Beth El (Alexandria) Beth Israel (Charlottesville) Rodef Shalom (McLean) Sinai (Newport News) Commodore Levy Chapel (Norfolk) Beth Ahabah (Richmond) Kol Emes (Richmond) Beth Israel (Roanoke) Adath Israel (Rutland) House of Israel (Staunton) Beth El (Winchester) Washington Beth Israel (Bellingham) Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath (Seattle) Ezra Bessaroth (Seattle) Kavana Cooperative (Seattle) Sephardic Bikur Holim (Seattle) De Hirsch Sinai (Seattle and Belleview) West Virginia Ohev Sholom (Huntington) Shalom (Wheeling) Wisconsin Beth El (Madison) Beth Israel Ner Tamid (Milwaukee) Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun (River Hills) Wyoming Mt Sinai (Cheyenne) Territories Virgin Islands Oldest U.S. synagogues History Category People US places of worship

Authority control databases VIAF

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Congregation Kesher Israel (Philadelphia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congregation_Kesher_Israel_(Philadelphia)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congregation_Kesher_Israel_(Philadelphia)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.