Skip to content

Subject: Synagogues--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia

No additional authority information available for Synagogues--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia.


Billhead for Mikvah Israel, Philadelphia, 1855-1892Billhead for Mikvah Israel, Philadelphia, 1855-1892

A lot of twelve billheads for Mikvah Israel in Philadelphia, dating from 1855-1892. This particular billhead is printed with the date 185x. The billhead also mentions 'Locks', indicating the type of goods or services provided. Physical location: Arc.MS.56, Box A, Folder 2.

Broadside: Synagogue Dues, Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia, 1863Broadside: Synagogue Dues, Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia, 1863

Broadside detailing synagogue dues for Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Issued May 31, 1863, under the authority of A. Hart, Parnas. Establishes assessment rates for seats in the new synagogue for the years 5624, 5625, and 5626. The rates were initially set in October 1861, with members voluntarily agreeing to raise seat rentals to cover expenses. The broadside itemizes seat prices, categorizing them into First through Fifth Class, and outlines procedures for unsold seats (auction). Shows light aging at edges and minor tattering at the bottom margin. No known copy is recorded in Singerman.

Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia: Annual Seating Sale Advertisement, 1881Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia: Annual Seating Sale Advertisement, 1881

Printed broadside advertising the annual sale of seats in Congregation Mikveh Israel synagogue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dated 1881, it includes details on pricing for various seat classes (upstairs and downstairs), annual fees for members and renters, and rules for seat renters. The broadside also notes that unpurchased seats will be auctioned on September 11, 1881. Extracts from the Board of Directors' meeting minutes of March and June 1881 are included.

Dunlap's American Daily Advertiser, July 24, 1793Dunlap's American Daily Advertiser, July 24, 1793

Issue of Dunlap's American Daily Advertiser, a Philadelphia newspaper, published on July 24, 1793. This issue includes an advertisement for merchandise at 14 South Front Street and mentions Benjamin Nones in relation to Mikveh Israel Synagogue.

Financial Receipts of Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia, 1850-1854Financial Receipts of Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia, 1850-1854

Five printed receipts, partially completed in ink, documenting charitable donations to Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia between 1850 and 1854. Each receipt includes the donor's name and, in at least one instance, the signature of Hyman Gratz, Vice President. The receipts are in English and contain partial Hebrew text. Two of the five receipts are present in this record.

Five Receipts of Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia, 1850-1854Five Receipts of Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia, 1850-1854

Five printed receipts, four complete and one partially completed, documenting charitable donations to Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The receipts span the years 1850-1854. Four of the receipts include the donor's name and signature. One receipt is signed by Hyman Gratz, Vice President. The receipts are written in English and contain partial Hebrew words.

High Holly Days Ticket, Congregation Shari Eli, 1977High Holly Days Ticket, Congregation Shari Eli, 1977

Ticket to High Holiday services at Congregation Shari Eli in 1977. The ticket misspells "High Holidays" as "High Holly Days." The ticket is from the congregation's location at Eighth and Porter Streets. Congregation Shari Eli, founded in 1916, is described as a struggling Young People's Congregation located at 728 W. Moyamensing Ave. in South Philadelphia. It originated as the orthodox congregation Shari Torah. In 1948, a group of younger members from the former orthodox synagogue Shari Eli at Eighth and Porter Streets bought the building and established South Philadelphia's first conservative synagogue. The English translation of Shari Eli is "Gate of God."

Letter from Abraham Hart to Sabato Morais Regarding a Charitable Request, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1855Letter from Abraham Hart to Sabato Morais Regarding a Charitable Request, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1855

A letter dated September 18, 1855, from Abraham Hart, Parnas of Mikveh Israel Synagogue, to Rabbi Sabato Morais, also of Mikveh Israel Synagogue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hart responds to Morais's request for $300 for the poor, referencing an enclosed broadside resolution from the Mikveh Israel Board granting the funds. This letter provides insight into the process of charitable giving within the synagogue.

Letter from an Unidentified Author to David Samuel Regarding Membership Forfeiture at Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia, November 8, 1840Letter from an Unidentified Author to David Samuel Regarding Membership Forfeiture at Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia, November 8, 1840

A letter dated November 8, 1840, addressed to David Samuel, Secretary of Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter, from an unidentified author (possibly the Parnas, though the signature is illegible), urges the enforcement of bylaws leading to membership forfeiture for those not regularly attending synagogue services. Specific individuals named include A.M. Cohen, J.L. Cohen, L.M. Cohen, E.L. Cohen, Jacob Nathan, and Jacob Gratz.

Letter from G & J Seiling Co. to Isaac Leeser Regarding Synagogue Painting, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1857Letter from G & J Seiling Co. to Isaac Leeser Regarding Synagogue Painting, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1857

Two-page letter written by G & J Seiling Co. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, dated May 28, 1857. Addressed to Rabbi Isaac Leeser, the letter proposes the company's services to paint the new Beth El Emeth Synagogue in Philadelphia. The letter highlights the company's credentials and experience. The letter contains several misspellings. Annotation notes that Rabbi Leeser 'wore many hats'.

Letter from Jacob Ezekiel to Sabato Morais Regarding the Hebrew Union College, April 1, 1878Letter from Jacob Ezekiel to Sabato Morais Regarding the Hebrew Union College, April 1, 1878

Two-page letter dated April 1, 1878, from Jacob Ezekiel, Secretary of the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Rabbi Sabato Morais of Mikveh Israel Congregation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter discusses plans for a preparatory school for the Hebrew Union College in Philadelphia and the effort to establish a National Union of Congregations. The letter is written on Ezekiel & Co. stationery.

Letter from Simon Noah to Isaac Leeser expressing the Congregation Bnai Israel's gratitude, February 15, 1857Letter from Simon Noah to Isaac Leeser expressing the Congregation Bnai Israel's gratitude, February 15, 1857

Letter dated February 15, 1857, from Simon Noah, Assistant Secretary of Congregation Bnai Israel in Philadelphia, to Isaac Leeser. The letter conveys the congregation's unanimous vote of thanks to Leeser for his assistance and sermons, particularly his address at the synagogue's consecration. The congregation granted Leeser a lifetime seat and membership privileges as a token of their appreciation. A postscript encourages Leeser to enhance the tribute to further his reputation. Congregation Bnai Israel was established in 1852 and disbanded in 1879. The letter is housed in Arc.MS.56, Box 12, Folder 6.

Letter from Susan R. Eckard to Isaac Leeser Regarding the Consecration of a New Synagogue in Philadelphia, March 24, 1849Letter from Susan R. Eckard to Isaac Leeser Regarding the Consecration of a New Synagogue in Philadelphia, March 24, 1849

Single-page handwritten letter from Susan R. Eckard of Philadelphia to Isaac Leeser, dated March 24, 1849. Eckard requests tickets for herself and friends to attend the dedication of a new synagogue building (the Polish Congregation of Beth Israel) in Philadelphia on March 29, 1849. She expresses admiration for Grace Aguilar and anticipates a future of greater understanding between Christians and Jews. The letter's back sheet serves as a cover with Leeser's address.

Letter of Isaac Leeser Accepting the Position of Hazan at K.K. Mikdash Israel, September 8, 1829Letter of Isaac Leeser Accepting the Position of Hazan at K.K. Mikdash Israel, September 8, 1829

This letter, dated September 8, 1829, is a brief communication from Isaac Leeser to the Elections Committee of the Congregation Mikdash Israel (K.K.M.I.) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In it, the young Leeser formally accepts his election as Hazan (cantor) of the congregation. He expresses awareness of the responsibilities of the position and his potential shortcomings but vows to diligently fulfill his duties. Leeser's acceptance marks a significant moment in the early development of American Judaism, foreshadowing his later influence on the religious landscape.

Letter of Recommendation for Isaac Leeser, June 10, 1829Letter of Recommendation for Isaac Leeser, June 10, 1829

On June 10, 1829, Jacob Mordecai of Richmond, Virginia, wrote a letter recommending Isaac Leeser for the position of Hazan at Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter, addressed to Raphael De Cordova, is a glowing endorsement of Leeser's suitability for the role.

Order of Services at the Consecration of Synagogue Rodef Shalom of Philadelphia, September 8, 1847Order of Services at the Consecration of Synagogue Rodef Shalom of Philadelphia, September 8, 1847

Pamphlet containing the Order of Services for the consecration of Synagogue Rodef Shalom in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Elul 27th, 5007 (September 8th, 1847). Printed by C. Sherman in Philadelphia. The pamphlet, comprising twenty-three pages in its original pink wrapper, documents the consecration of an existing building purchased and converted by the Congregation. This specific copy is noted as the only known copy by Singerman. The Congregation Rodeph Shalom, founded in 1795, is the oldest Ashkenazic synagogue in the Western Hemisphere and historically significant for its leadership in the American Reform Jewish movement. The pamphlet includes an article from the *Occident* of October 1847 describing the ceremony, attendance, officiating ministers (Rev. Naphthali Kahn, Rev. Gabriel Pappé), music (composed or arranged by Samuel Ehrlich), and the collection taken during the service. The description notes the synagogue's size and capacity, along with its intended use of the basement as a schoolroom.

Receipt Book of Elias P. Levy, 1839-1857Receipt Book of Elias P. Levy, 1839-1857

This receipt book belonged to Elias P. Levy and spans the years 1839-1857. It contains a variety of receipts, primarily from business transactions involving textiles and ground rent payments. Notably, it includes two receipts for a synagogue seat signed by Hyman Gratz and Abraham Israel, and receipts for boarding from Isaac Jacob Levy. The book concludes with entries related to Henry Cohen acting as executor for Elias P. Levy's estate in 1857.

Silver Kiddush Cup Presented to Mikveh Israel Synagogue, 1825Silver Kiddush Cup Presented to Mikveh Israel Synagogue, 1825

Silver Kiddush cup presented in 1825 to Mikveh Israel Synagogue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Engraved in Hebrew and hallmarked G. Greenleaf. The bottom is engraved "R. G." (Rebecca Gratz). Exhibited at various museums including the Library of Congress, the American Jewish Archives, the Skirball Museum, and the American Jewish Historical Society between 2004-2006 and at the Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia (2010-2011).