Mickve Israel - Research Paper Example

The architect of the building also reflects the desire of the Jewish community to come up with a building that look like the existing churches of the city and provide a worthy and prominent existence to the Jews in America. The site for the building was also selected keeping in view this desire. The design of the congregation is appropriate for its prominent Monterey Square location. The design of the building stands alongside the Savannah churched without standing out as different structure. During the American revolutionary war, the formal prayer services were suspended at the congregation however, in 1786, it was formally recognized as K.K. Mickvah Israel and special space was allocated and rented to be used as synagogue and many worshipers were attracted to this place.

In 1790, the charter for the Parnas and Adjustas of Michve Israel was authorized by the governor of Georgia and the congregation is still in operation under the same charter. In 1793, there were some financial problems faced by the congregation due to which it gave up its leased space and the services began to hold at the homes of the members of the congregation. However, the formal structure of the congregation was maintained and the officers were also elected as usual. The congregation also has the honour of standing as the first Jewish community centre that received the letter from the U.S. president after which the congregation president also sent letter to the U.

S President George Washington congratulating him on his election as first President of the United States. The construction of the building for the synagogue was stated in 1818 when the city of Savannah granted a plot of land to the congregation. A small wooden building was built at the northeast corner of Liberty Street. The building was completed in 1820 as the first synagogue to be established in Georgia. In 1829, the building was destroyed by the fire and