"The Early Migration and Settlement..."
The Jewish Encyclopedia
of Western Pennsylvania
A project of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center
Congregation Emanuel was a Reform congregation in Pittsburgh. It was founded in 1874 by former members of Rodef Shalom Congregation who wanted to conduct worship services in English, rather than German. Organizational meetings began in August 1874. [1]“The New Jewish Society,” Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, Aug. 24, 1874 (online—Newspapers.com). [2]“Israelitish Reform,” Pittsburgh Daily Post, Aug. 25, 1874 (online—Newspapers.com). Moritz Kraus and his son-in-law Samuel Gallinger were early leaders of the group.
Congregation Emanuel rented and renovated Excelsior Hall at the corner of Federal and Lacock streets in Allegheny, Pa. After some deliberation over the English-language credentials of another potential rabbi, the congregation hired Rabbi Benjamin Eger from Temple B’nai Zion in Titusville, Pa. The first services were held on September 6, 1874, with music provided by the Trinity Episcopal Church choir accompanied on harmonium.[3]“Congregation Emanuel,” Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, Sept. 7, 1874 (online—Newspapers.com). [4]Congregation Emanuel notice, American Israelite, Sept. 25, 1874 (online—Newspapers.com).
Rabbi Eger left the following year for a congregation in Toledo, Ohio. Congregation Emanuel rapidly declined, appearing in the local press only sporadically. The congregation disbanded around 1884, when several members rejoined Rodef Shalom.[5]Feldman, Jacob. “The Jewish Experience in Western Pennsylvania,” Pittsburgh: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, 1986 (catalog record).
References
| ↑1 | “The New Jewish Society,” Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, Aug. 24, 1874 (online—Newspapers.com). |
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| ↑2 | “Israelitish Reform,” Pittsburgh Daily Post, Aug. 25, 1874 (online—Newspapers.com). |
| ↑3 | “Congregation Emanuel,” Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, Sept. 7, 1874 (online—Newspapers.com). |
| ↑4 | Congregation Emanuel notice, American Israelite, Sept. 25, 1874 (online—Newspapers.com). |
| ↑5 | Feldman, Jacob. “The Jewish Experience in Western Pennsylvania,” Pittsburgh: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, 1986 (catalog record). |