History of Congregation Sons of Israel

The Congregations Sons of Israel was organized in the late 19th century under the leadership of Jacob Tarlinsky. Until 1923, when the synagogue was dedicated, services were held in a private home on Bridge Street. Most of the members were from Russia and Eastern Europe seeking freedom from religious persecution. Among the early congregants were I. Eff, J.A. Lew, S.A. Snyder, David Gerstel, Morris Friedman, Moses Kukowsky (Hastings), Jacob Ross, Harry Ross, Max Eff, W.A. Pinkoson, N. Gamse, A. L. Kass and D. Mehlman.

The congregation was organized as Orthodox with seating for the women in the balcony. A mikva (ceremonial bath) was located to the left of the entrance in what is now a ladies lounge. In September 1925, the first Rabbi was hired and formal Hebrew classes were instituted.

The beautiful stained glass windows were donated by the three daughters of the synagogue's founder and installed in 1957. Two of our valuable possessions are a Torah and a Megillah (Book of Esther), both of which came from Russia and are at least 150-200 years old.
Two Jewish peddlers named Gerson Posnansky and Samuel Snyder had been killed by the Indians in 1840 and 1846. They were buried in a plot in the west part of the city. Subsequent to the establishment of the congregation, this property was purchased and became the site of the Jewish cemetery. The oldest grave at this location dates back to 1911.

The Jewish community has always been an integral part of St. Augustine and has participated actively in its social, civic and religious life. During World War II, our small congregation sent 41 of our young people to serve in the Armed Forces.

It is interesting to note that Jews have had a part in the history of Florida and St. Augustine. Converted Jews may have come with Ponce DeLeon when he landed in Florida in 1513. Current data suggests that one of his leaders, Pedro Menendez Marques, was a "Marrano."
Moses Levy (IBN Yulee) purchased part of the Arredondo grant in the early 1800's. This property became the site of Fort Mose (located in the northern city limits), the first free Negro community in the U.S.
David Levy, son of Moses, studied law in St. Augustine and was admitted to the Bar in 1832. In 1845 he reclaimed the Yulee family name and was elected to the U.S. Senate as the first known Jew to accomplish this.
Levy also purchased land in the 1840's from a Sephardic Jew, Antonio Fernandez Mier, a name common to local "Minorcans" who are descendents of St. Augustine's earliest settlers.

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