(By our Galveston correspondent)
Jewish community interests are centered in the construction of the Henry Cohen Community House, a building which is being erected to honor Dr. Henry Cohen, rabbi of Temple B’nai Israel, who will celebrate the fortieth anniversary of his services here June 1. The building is made possible through pledges of members of his congregation and will be a testimonial to the service that Dr. Cohen has rendered, not only to the Jews of Galveston, but to peoples of all denominations, here and elsewhere.
The laying of the cornerstone of the Henry Cohen Community House took place in January. It is expected that the building will be ready for occupancy in time for the anniversary celebration.
Temple B’nai Israel, which the community house will adjoin was erected fifty-seven years ago. The Jewish community was founded here in 1868. Four rabbis have served the congregation, Dr. A. Rosenspitz, Dr. A. Blum, who subsequently became a prison chaplain in New York; Dr. Joseph Silverman, rabbi emeritus of Temple Emanuel El in New York and Dr. Cohen.
Dr. Cohen assumed his duties here June 1, 1888 and after ten years was elected to office for life.
The Jewish community of Galveston, numbering about 1,000 is active in civic and communal enterprises, Jewish citizens are leaders in all civic projects, occupying important positions in civic and commercial places.
At present I. H. Kempner is president of the Galveston Cotton Exchange and John Neethe, a prominent attorney is president of the board of school trustees. Mrs. I. H. Kempner also has served as a member of the board of school trustees.
At one time Mr. Kempner was mayor of Galveston, at the same time five other Jews were head of civic institutions. Mr. Kempner was a member of the board of city commissioners as finance commissioner, when the first commission form of government, which was subsequently adopted in other parts of the United States, was inaugurated here. Mr. Kempner is now chairman of the national advertising campaign committee, to advertise the industrial and resort facilities of Galveston.
Dr. Cohen is a member of the executive committee of prisons and prison labor of Texas, and was appointed by the governor of the State last June as a member of the Texas State prison board which is comprised of eight members.
Galveston is a city of 60,000 population and probably nowhere in the country is there a more friendly feeling existing between Jewish citizens and peoples of other faiths.
Prior to the restriction of immigration the Jewish Immigration Bureau, through the generosity of Jacob Schiff of New York, functioned here and admirable service was thus rendered to immigrants at the port of Galveston.
The Temple Society is the literary adjunct of Temple B’nai Israel, and was founded by the late Leo N. Levi, national president of the I. O. B. B., a former resident of Galveston and president of the local congregation. It fills an important place in the cultural life of the city.
In addition to Temple B’nai Israel, there are two Orthodox synagogues whose members are active here.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
