Congregation Kenesseth Israel (Boston, Mass.) Records

Collection

Identifier: I-266

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records of Congregation Kenesseth Israel (Boston, Mass.) contain a record book of meetings (1908-1913), membership lists, addresses, and yahrzeits; correspondence; notes; and photographs and newspaper clippings marking the closure of the synagogue in 1965. There are also some Jewish artifacts, including an ornamental Torah breast plate, an inscribed European spice box, and three Torah pointers (two made of wood, one of which is inscribed, and one silver, which is inscribed).

Dates

undated, 1908-1965

Creator

Congregation Kenesseth Israel (Boston, Mass.) (Organization)

Language of Materials

This collection is in English and Yiddish, with a small amount of Hebrew.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for researcher use.

Please contact us to request access or to make an appointment to view this collection at jhcreference@jewishheritagecenter.org.

Conditions Governing Use

There may be some restrictions on the use of this collection. For more information contact jhcreference@jewishheritagecenter.org.

Historical Note

Congregation Kenesseth Israel, also known as the Emerald Street Shul, was founded in 1891 by immigrants, many of whom were from Vilna, and was located at 15-17 Emerald Street in Boston's South End. The synagogue closed in 1965, in part due to Boston's urban renewal project and changing neighborhood demographics.

Extent

1.25 linear feet (Four folders in a shared manuscript box, one artifact box)

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains a record book of meetings (1908-1913), membership lists, addresses, and yahrzeits; correspondence; notes; and photographs and newspaper clippings marking the closure of the synagogue (1965). The collection also contains artifacts, including: one ornamental Torah breast plate, one inscribed European spice box, and three Torah pointers (two wooden, one of which is inscribed, and one silver, which is inscribed).