South Carolina’s Brilliant Jewish History
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim and Coming Street Cemetery
In the mid-1600s, the English Lord Proprietors had a problem: How could they entice anyone to settle the coastal areas of the Carolinas? The Spanish in Florida might attack any fledgling colony there, as could the local Native American tribes. So, influenced by the philosopher John Locke, the Lord Proprietors granted any who would come complete freedom of religion.
Many long-suffering Jews of Spain and Portugal heard those startling words and decided to take the Lord Proprietors up on their offer. By 1749, their numbers were sufficient to organize the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE) Congregation. Today, it is the second oldest synagogue building in the United States (the first oldest being Touro Synagogue, a National Trust Historic Site in Newport, Rhode Island) and the oldest in continuous use.
But most importantly, the KKBE is acknowledged to be the birthplace of Reform Judaism in the United States. When I asked KKBE’s Executive Director Alex Grumbacher to explain how that came to pass, he laughed and pointed to the sanctuary organ: “After the Charleston fire of 1838, our synagogue was rebuilt, eventually reopening in 1840. By a narrow vote, the congregation decided to install an organ and to use it during worship. Appalled at this idea, those with more Orthodox views left to form their own congregation. KKBE became the home to Reform Judaism.”
After my visit, Grumbacher recommended I visit Coming Street Cemetery, one of the synagogue’s associated cemetery. There I met docent Randi Serrins. Well into the tour, she pointed to an old foundation wall and explained, “Shortly after the schism, the Orthodox Jews built a high brick wall so that their tombs would be separate from the Reformers. After the Civil War, the wall was knocked down.”
Both KKBE and the Coming Street Cemetery are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But that’s not the only thing they have in common: Both need extensive and expensive repairs, neither have enough money, and both are at risk.
View the slideshow to learn more about the fascinating history of KKBE and Coming Street Cemetery.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim possesses national significance as the 1824 birthplace of Reform Judaism in America. Originated by German Jews in the early 1800s, the Reform Movement spread rapidly through central Europe and to the United States, where it led to radical changes in Jewish doctrine during the remainder of the 19th century. KKBE is the oldest synagogue building in continuous use in the United States. By the end of the 18th century, it had become the largest Jewish community in the nation with some 500 families.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
The first Jews arrived in Charleston in the late 1600s. In 1794, they dedicated a new synagogue building described then as the largest in the United States, "spacious and elegant." The synagogue was destroyed in the great fire of 1838 and replaced in 1840 by this structure.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
The building itself is in good shape, but it will be expensive to repair the ceiling damage. Women sat in balconies during the early years, but joined the men on the main floor in 1879. The balconies were destroyed during the Great Earthquake of 1886.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
Ceiling detail, and ceiling damage.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
The impressive Ark is made of Santo Domingo mahogany. By local tradition, the Ark doors are kept open throughout worship service. Within the Ark, glass doors provide a barrier to the four Torah scrolls.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
When the new synagogue was built in 1840, some members proposed that an organ be installed in the sanctuary for use during regular services. The once united congregation split, as Orthodox Jews believed an organ had no place in worship. The Orthodox Jews seceded and formed a new congregation. They then purchased land for their own cemetery next to Beth Elohim's, and erected the brick wall (foundation in image) to separate the two burial grounds. Following the Civil War, based on "mutual concessions," the two congregations reunited, and the wall removed.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
The Right Reverend Moses Cohen, D.D. (1709-1762) was the first religious leader of KKBE and a merchant. His is the oldest tombstone in the cemetery.The earliest graves may have been covered by a mound of stones. The stones that are placed on a tombstone are done so to convey respect, to signify that the grave has recently been visited, to indicate that the dead has not been forgotten.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
Penina Moise is considered to be the first Jewish American Poet. For over 50 years her essays, short stories, and poems appeared in publications from Boston to New York. Sixty of her poems were collected and published in Fancy's Sketch Book in 1833.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
In Charleston, early Jewish burials were in family plots because Jews did not bury their dead on temple grounds. It is believed that 800 persons are buried here, including 10 men who fought in the American Revolution, 6 who served in the War of 1812, 2 who fought the Seminoles in Florida, and 21 Confederate veterans.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
Many of the tombstones feature complicated and intricate carvings.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
A life story told in stone begins with a right hand holding an open book displaying the chapters of life. On the book lies a rose in full bloom, representing a full life. Finally, a closed book, the end of life, rests on an elaborate draping, fringed and tasseled. This marble monument is rich in Victorian sentiment and symbolism. Description courtesy of Pamela D. Gabriel and Ruth M. Miller, "Touring the Tombstones, a Guide to Charleston's Historic Graveyard."
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
There is a third wing to the cemetery. David Lopez bought this parcel of land for a family burial ground after his wife Catherine, who had been born a Christian, died in 1843. She was denied burial privileges in Shearit Israel's cemetery because she had never formally become a Jewess. Her Gothic style tomb is in the background of the photograph.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
The now-discolored tomb shows a pair of hands with spreading fingers that form the "cohanim," or ritual priestly blessing. Leonard Nimoy, drawing on his Jewish roots, made this symbol popular in the television show, "Star Trek."
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
The first tragedy is obvious; the second is happening today. The walls around the historic cemetery need to be repaired, and the costs will be high.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
The brace is a stop-gap measure. A long-term plan (underway), and funding (a struggle) are needed to stabilize the wall. Much damage is caused by sprawling trees that, due to ordinances, cannot be quickly removed.
photo by: Bill Fitzpatrick
The Coming Street Cemetery, located in downtown Charleston, is the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in the South.
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