Letter from Israel De Horta (?) to Isaac Leeser Regarding the Consecration of Congregation Sha'arai Shomayim's New Synagogue in Mobile, Alabama

This four and a half page letter (7.5" x 10") was written by Israel De Horta (?) on March 12, 1853, in Mobile, Alabama, and addressed to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia. The letter includes a handwritten copy of a report from the Mobile Daily Observer (March 12, 1853) on the consecration of Congregation Sha'arai Shomayim's new synagogue building, along with commentary on seating arrangements, the cost of carpeting, and the religious school. De Horta explains that he did not send internal affairs to Robert Lyon at the Asmonea, only sending the article from the Mobile Daily Observer, believing Leeser would have sufficient information for the public. The letter concludes with a request for books and a list of 30 religious school children by age. A note in cursive Hebrew is also present. The letter is written on notes for the minutes on the consecration of the new building, suggesting De Horta sent relevant pages from his copybook before adding the letter itself. The letter provides details about the growth and development of the Congregation Sha'arai Shomayim in Mobile, Alabama, mentioning its previous location and its first rabbi, Benjamin da Silva.

Associated People/Businesses

• LEESER, ISAAC / De Horta (?), Israel

Geography

No geographic information available.

Subjects

• Letter writing
• Religious life

Physical Location

Arc.MS.56, Box 4, Folder 5