A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CELEBRATE THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF THE TWO HUNDRED seventy-FIFTh ANNIVERSARY OF THE Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim AND TO CONGRATULATE THE members of the CONGREGATION FOR THEIR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE Charleston COMMUNITY.

 

Whereas, founded in 1749, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE) has been a Jewish presence in the Lowcountry, and from its founding the history of Judaism in the city and State would not be one of individuals but of institutions.  KKBE members were instrumental in the founding of Jewish benevolent organizations, the Scottish Rite Masons in America, and other groups; and

 

Whereas, fifteen years later, the now historic Coming Street Cemetery was established. Today it is the South's oldest active colonial Jewish burial site, with members of the congregation also caretaking the burial of other Jewish non-members of the congregation; and

 

Whereas, in 1792, construction of the largest and most impressive synagogue in the United States commenced, giving Jewish life a proud and visible presence in the City of Charleston.  The handsome Georgian synagogue was destroyed in the great Charleston fire of 1838 and was replaced in 1840 by the structure in use today.  The colonnaded building was dedicated in early 1841 and is often described as one of the country's finest examples of Greek Revival architecture.  More impressive than the structure has been the role KKBE has played in Charleston and American Jewish history; and

 

Whereas, in 1824, forty-seven congregants petitioned the Adjunta of the synagogue to change the Sephardic Orthodox liturgy: abridging the Hebrew ritual, using English translation of the prayers, and having a sermon in English.  The petition was denied, so the petitioners founded the Reformed Society of Israelites, birthing what became Reform Judaism in America, a turning point in American Judaism when those concerned with the survival of the religion adapted old world principles to the American experience.  Assimilation in America was so much easier than it had been in Europe. Reformers at KKBE sought to keep Jews active as Jews and not to lose them to the American melting pot; and

 

Whereas, KKBE helped other orthodox congregations, such as the antebellum Brith Sholom, in constructing a new sanctuary.  Loyal to that spirit of reform and to the ideal of Tikkun Olam, repairing the word, the congregation continues to spearhead collaborative initiatives to pursue justice and equality in Charleston and beyond; and

 

Whereas, at the same time, KKBE members desire to preserve the historic site, realizing that it serves as a proud reminder of Jewish culture, presence, and success in America.  Having been designated a National Historic Landmark in 1980, it is the country's oldest Jewish sanctuary in continuous use; and

 

Whereas, in 2003, the congregation received the prestigious Carolopolis Award for exterior preservation, and the second Carolopolis Award for interior preservation was received in 2020 after a complete restoration of the synagogue begun in 2019; and

 

Whereas, on the KKBE campus, a memorial has been dedicated to the enslaved people who helped build the sanctuary as an example of how the physical structure mirrors our spiritual goals.  Thousands of visitors from around the world see this acknowledgement of the congregation's conflicted past and its commitment to rectifying it; and

 

Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives commend Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim for two and three-quarter centuries of ministry in and service to the Charleston community and extend warmest congratulations on the occasion of the synagogue's historic anniversary.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate the joyous occasion of the two hundred seventy-fifth anniversary of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim and congratulate the members of the congregation for their years of dedicated service to the Charleston community.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim.

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