| Brownsville Religious | |
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| Brownsville had a Orthodox congregation and a mohel (one who performs circumcisions). A Kosher butcher was located in nearby Uniontown, Pennsylvania and a shochet (religious slaughterer) was located in nearby Donora, Pennsylvania. |
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| In addition, there were Junior congregations, Sunday schools, weekly Cheder (Religious school) lessons, Mens' and Ladies' organizations, social clubs and youth organizations. |
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| ~ Jewish Community History ~ |
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| Judging by the activity and the interest in Jewish affairs, one could imagine that the Brownsville Jewry comprised 5,000, rather than only 250, Jewish families. But it is not the numbers, so much as the effort, that measures the value of the importance of a community. The small group of Jews in Brownsville have done as much, or more, than many communities that are far larger and more pretentious. |
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| The first Jews to settle in Brownsville were H. and M. LEVY and Joseph and Frank GOLDSTEIN. Another one of the earliest Jewish residents was Mr. A. LEWIS, who established himself as one of the most successful manufacturers in the Pittsburgh District, as a member of the firm of Bennett, Hollander and Lewis. William LEVY is another of the earlier Brownsville residents who made good in the big city (Pittsburgh). |
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| From all the available records, the first evidence of a Jewish settlement in Brownsville was in about 1894. Starting modestly, the first settlers gradually began to take an important place in the commercial and civic life of the town. Men like Samuel GREEN, Samuel BROWN, Joseph WISE, the GOLDSTEINS, J. TRUMPER, H. L. BECK, and Abram MILLER and others established themselves successfully among the prominent merchants and did their share to promote the business interests of Brownsville. |
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| As soon as there were enough Jews in the community, or at least there were enough that has sufficient confidence and the desire to organize the Jewish community, a congregation was formed in about 1907 known as Ohev Yisrael (For the love of Israel). |
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| The first Rabbi was Rev. J. SHUPO, a scholar of no mean attainments and one who had graduated from that Fiona, Russia, teachers Institute. In this country, he had received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oregon. So well-equipped with both a sectarian and secular education and thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of modern life, Rabbi SHUPO proved to be the inspiration of the spiritual realm of the Brownsville Jewish community. Prior to his coming to Brownsville, he occupied a similar position in Uniontown, PA. |
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| As the aggressive leader of the congregation, and as his synagogue was burned down in 1918, he had a large program of constructive work ahead of him to test his resourcefulness and his courage. We can scarcely believe that Brownsville community, numbering so comparatively few people, proceeded forward to undertake the ambitious plan to erect a new synagogue that cost approximately $45,000. Since the Brownsville Jewish community worked to make building a new synagogue a reality, they were surely entitled to be considered one of the liveliest Jewish communities in Pennsylvania. Judged by the aggressive and progressive spirit already been displayed by the Brownsville co-religionists, nothing seemed to large for them to accomplish. |
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| In 1919, the officers of the congregation were Mr. Benjamin SCHWARZ (president), George EHRENPRICE (vice president) and Oscar JUBELIRER (secretary and treasurer). The trustees were Harry LEVY, M. GROSSMAN and Abram MILLER. |
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| ~ Other Religious Activities ~ |
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| True to the spirit of Jewish teaching and loyal to the tradition of the Jewish people, one the first activities to engage the attention of the Brownsville Jewish community was the formation of Hebrew Ladies Aid Society. The society was organized in 1909 and its officers were Mrs. A. MILLER (president), Mrs. J. N. COOPER (vice president), Mrs. Ben SCHWARTZ (secretary) and Mrs. Paul GRETCHER (treasurer). The purpose of the society is obvious from its name, a society that reaches out its hand to the stranger within the gate as well as to those we been residents of the community and who have suffered adversity. there is no mission of mercy to which the faithful women do not win themselves if it is worthy of their attention. |
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| About 1915, a lodge of the Sons of David was organized and it immediately enlisted the support and co-operation of the Jewish men of the Brownsville Jewish community. The lodge served a double purpose of promoting the fraternal spirit of the members and was used as a means of assisting needy brethren. It was the most prominent men's organization and the Jewish community performed splendidly. The officers were Morris SIEGELMAN (president), Saul GROSSMAN (vice president), H. L. BECK (secretary) and George EHRENPRICE (treasurer). |
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| Brownsville brotherhood was not limited their activities to Jewish work alone, but when the call came for all Americans to enter the draft lists in WWI, their patriotic response, the Jews of Brownsville did their share of service for the nation. five Jewish boys enlisted from Brownsville do their bit in the great war. They were Meyer FINK. Charles E. KRAUSE, David KRAUSE, Max PERKINS and David BIRCKENFELD. These boys, together with a great army of other fellows, help demonstrate that the Jews in our nation gave as they should give when their country called upon them. They hoped, that the day is at hand, when forever they would be rid of insinuating anti-Semitic propaganda which constantly endeavored to cast a reflection that the Jews lacked patriotism. From the heart of the Argonne Forest, from every other battlefield of Europe, all Americans stepped forward when called upon by their country. Whether in the Army or the Navy, whether behind the lines, in the Red Cross, the medical corps, or the welfare works, Jews contributed more than their proportion in relation to the population. It is not a purpose to seek additional credit, but to seek to give our brethren that justice to which they are entitled. So from Brownsville, as well as from every other nook, hamlet and city of the nation, brave American boys and women who were willing, many of whom, made the supreme sacrifice. |
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| But it was not only the enlistment of Jewish boys who did their full duty, but there were also war effort support activities in Brownsville. Whether call came from the Red Cross relief or from the War Sufferers or whether the government called for Liberty Loan or War Stamp subscriptions, our the Jews of Brownsville responded with enthusiasm that was expected of them. They gave money and other services and they engaged in all patriotic affairs to with the purpose of inspiring the people to do their utmost for their country and for their allies. |
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| On the liberty loan committee, we found the names of Joseph COOPER, Eric LEVY, Benjamin SCHWARTZ and Paul GRETCHLER. But there were others who gave liberally of their time in service. The Jewish women of Brownsville contributed their share when the call came for help for the starving Jews in Eastern Europe and all responded in proportion to their number and their means. |
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| Brownsville Jews, while keen to promote the religious and philanthropic development of the community, did not neglect the social side. They had two clubs, The Liberty and The Century. There can be no doubt that the gradual growth of this progressive group of Jews who have shown themselves to be thoroughly abreast of the problems which confront their people and their willingness to help solve them. Only when the small communities realize their responsibility to their people and their faith, as was the case in Brownsville, can it be possible to achieve the Jewish solidarity which is essential to our welfare. |
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| No further information was found for the Brownsville Jewish community from 1919 until 1969 when the Brownsville congregation was disbanded. |
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| After the Brownsville congregation sold the synagogue, the items from the synagogue—including the Ark, Torahs and all sacramental items—were donated to the Beth El Temple in the South Hills of Pittsburgh via Lucille GROSSMAN. This donation included the bronze memorial tablets engraved with the names, with lights beside the names, to mark the anniversary of the deaths. The Beth El Temple had a vacant building and created the Brownsville Chapel within it using the all of the religious artifacts. |
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On 16 November 1989, Nervin MOSKOVITZ reported that there were only six Jews remaining in Brownsville:
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| We cannot close without referring to the spirit of Brownsville Jewry, which was long lasting, due to the type of men and women who were its leaders and of course, the members of the Jewish community. Today, no Jews live in Brownsville having either passed away or moved away. |
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| ~ Synagogue ~ |
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| Today, the former Brownsville synagogue is a gun and computer repair shop. The owners—to their credit—have kept the structure basically in-tact, as you will see from the following images. In fact, they had all of the stained glass windows re-leaded to ensure their preservation and repaired the roof. When the sunlight shines through the stained glass windows, it is a beautiful sight. |
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| ~ Rabbis of Brownsville ~ |
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| ~ Past Presidents and Officers ~ |
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| If you a photograph to contribute, click HERE to contact me. |
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| ~ Brownsville Religious Schools ~ |
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| If you a photograph to contribute, click HERE to contact me. |
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| Compiled and created by: Marshall J. KATZ with assistance from: Herald-Standard Newspaper, Uniontown, PA Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center The Jewish Criterion - Vol. 51 No. 19 - 4 July 1919 - Pittsburgh Jewish Newspaper Project, Carnegie Mellon University Libraries and the following JewishGen members/descendants and contributors of Brownsville Jewish families: Donald MOSKOVITZ, USA |
| Updated: 26 August 2020 |
| Copyright ©2011 Marshall J. KATZ All rights reserved |
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