OUR STORY BEGINS AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, 1899, when a few Orthodox Jews who settled in Pensacola gathered together to discuss their need for a new Jewish congregation that reflected their Orthodox practices. Temple Beth-El, the Reform temple, had already been established and was the only Jewish religious organization in Pensacola.

A group of eleven men submitted the original application for establishing an Orthodox congregation on June 28, 1899. Congregation B’nai Israel became a reality with the leadership of President Alex Lischkoff, Vice President N. Weiland, Secretary M. Solomon, and Treasurer N. Zung. Trustees were C. Marcus, H. Cashman, J. Morris, J. Herschkovitz, and S. Israel.

With the cooperation of Temple Beth-El, the vestry room of the Temple on Chase Street became the first sanctuary of this small congregation. A little while later the congregation moved to the Oddfellows Hall at Baylen and Belmont. Apparently, the Ku Klux Klan also had meeting rooms in the same building at that time. The Klan’s white robes were found years later, hanging in a closet of this building.

From 1899 to the 1920s, increased immigration of Eastern European Jews brought more Orthodox Jews to Pensacola. It was now the time for Congregation B’nai Israel to have a building of its own. 

In 1923 a house at 400 N. Barcelona Street was purchased and became the new home for B’nai Israel. E. (Isadore) Greenblatt was president and Rabbi Spector was the spiritual leader. The Barcelona Street synagogue was remembered fondly for its warmth and spirit, not only as a shul, but as a center for all Orthodox cultural and social events for this relatively small group of Jewish families.

It was a small, two-story wooden building that was converted to contain the sanctuary on the first floor with the traditional separation of the men and women for prayers. A meeting room, kitchen and social area were in the back. Hebrew school classes were held in the social room, as well as the Sunday school and different social activities and celebrations. Rabbi Spector is said to have insisted that there should be a Mikvah as well as a Sukkah.

The second floor housed the Rabbi and his family. He was constantly on call for a variety of religious functions, which included being the Mohel, Shochet, Teacher and Cantor.

Hebrew school classes were small and teaching methods might have been different than today, but many of the leaders of today’s congregation were taught on those afternoons in the back room of B’nai Israel. It is remembered by some of the students how the classes were interrupted by women of the congregation coming to the Rabbi, who was also the Shochet, to have chickens killed – and the joy and mischief that came when the Rabbi had to leave the class to do his duty for the congregation.

There were many happy times during these years when life was simple and Jewish activity in the synagogue was the center of a Jew’s life in a small southern community. Services, picnics, socials and holiday celebrations were the focal point of family life.

The Ladies Relief Society was organized in January 1920. The goals of this organization were to “work for local relief, the First World War effort, and keeping the Jewish people of the same religious interest together.”  Anna Rosenbloum (Mrs. Louis) was the first recorded president of this organization, elected in 1922.

The organization’s good works included giving aid to Jewish transients, and money was sent to United Charity Institutions of Jerusalem, Talmud Torah, and to Central Relief. They also contributed to the Pensacola Hospital. Passover food was sent to Jewish boys overseas.

In 1928 it was suggested that the Jewish Ladies Relief Society form another division called the Ladies Auxiliary of B’nai Israel. Their goals would be synagogue oriented, i.e., “cleaning the shul, the cemetery, the upkeep of the kitchen and also to take care of the transients.”

In 1941 the two divisions became one Ladies Auxiliary of B’nai Israel, and in 1956 this organization affiliated with National Women’s League of United Synagogue and was called Sisterhood of B’nai Israel.

The youth organization in the early days of B’nai Israel was Young Judea. These few young people were quite active and recognized with several awards within the region.

In the early 1940s, the idea of a new building for the synagogue was born. “The building was getting old and did not look like a shul, so a few of us got together in M. Ellis’ house to discuss a new building.” (This was written by H. Soclof in a previous history.) The dream of this new synagogue became a reality when Mr. and Mrs. E. Silberman left a large sum of money to B’nai Israel for a new building.

Ninth and Mallory became the site of the new synagogue and the groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 2, 1953, with the dedication service for the new building held on September 26, 1954. The Rabbi at this time was Rabbi J. L. Holzman and the president was Abe Levin. President of the Ladies Auxiliary was Anne Oberstein (Mrs. Kiva). B’nai Israel Congregation became affiliated with United Synagogue of America in September 1955 and officially became a Conservative congregation.

The years following the building of the synagogue were filled with activities of all kinds. Many fundraising events were held to pay the mortgage – dinners, luncheons, Purim balls. It was indeed a jubilant time for the congregation.

During these years the youth groups were B’nai Brith Youth and then United Synagogue Youth and Kadima, affiliated with United Synagogue. A Friendship Club was formed to be the focus of social activities for adults. The Men’s Club became an active force in the synagogue, affiliating with National Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs in 1970. B’nai Israel Sisterhood remained active in all facets of synagogue life.

Through the years, B’nai Israel Synagogue has changed and developed. Today, B’nai Israel Synagogue is a Traditional Conservative Congregation; a house of worship dedicated to the principles of Torah, Service to G-d and the performance of Mitzvot. It is also a House of Assembly wherein each of us can find the fulfillment of our spiritual, educational and social needs as a Jewish community.