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Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue

Historic active synagogue at 90 Hasell Street in Charleston, South Carolina, built in 1840 and continuously used for Jewish worship.

90 Hasell Street, Charleston, South Carolina, United StatesFounded 1840

Façade of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue in Charleston

Warren LeMay / Wikimedia CommonsSourceCC0 1.0

About

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE) was organized in Charleston in 1749, making it one of the oldest Jewish congregations in the United States. Its present Greek Revival sanctuary was built in 1840 after the congregation's earlier 1794 synagogue was destroyed in the Charleston fire of 1838. The present building has remained in Jewish religious use since its completion. This record is specifically for continuous Jewish use: Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, is an older synagogue building, dedicated in 1763 and active today, but its Jewish worship was not continuous throughout the nineteenth century. KKBE therefore holds this distinct continuous-use category. KKBE is also closely associated with the development of Reform Judaism in the United States and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

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Records held by Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue

Exterior of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue in Charleston, South Carolina.

JWR Verified

Jewish Heritage · SynagoguesOldest

Oldest Synagogue in Continuous Jewish Use in the United States

Record holder

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue

Record value

Built in 1840

The Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue in Charleston, South Carolina, is the Oldest Synagogue in Continuous Jewish Use in the United States. The current Greek Revival building was constructed in 1840, replacing a previous structure from 1794 that was destroyed in the great fire of 1838. Following its dedication in early 1841, the sanctuary has remained in uninterrupted Jewish worship use, with the achievement dated from 1841-01-01.

Country: United States
Achievement location: Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Achievement date: 1 January 1841

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