Minnesota

The Elfelt Brothers: Edwin, Charles & Abram, Early Jewish Pioneer Merchants of St. Paul Minnesota

The Elfelt Brothers: Edwin, Charles & Abram Values I – E – L   Edwin (b. 1823), Abram (b.1827) and Charles Elfelt (b.1828) were born in Millerstown, Pennsylvania.   Along the way . . . In 1849, Charles Elfelt moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. With a small amount

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Maurice Mordecai Samuel: Jewish Pioneer Fur Trader and Civil War Army Officer of Early Minnesota

Maurice Mordecai Samuel Values I – E – L   Maurice Mordecai Samuel was born in London, England.   Along the way . . . In 1844, Samuel worked as a traveling peddler and fur trader in Prairie du Chien, Minnesota. In 1846, he moved to Chippewa

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Shaarai Tov/Temple Israel of Minneapolis, Minnesota, est. 1878

Temple Israel, Formerly Congregation Shaarai Tov, est. 1878   In 1877, the Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Society was established in St. Paul. Shaarai Tov was founded in 1878 as an Orthodox congregation. Twenty three founders rented space at Nicollet and Washington Avenues. Rabbi Henry Friedman was the first

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Chevra B’nai Ya’akov/Beth Jacob of St. Paul, Minnesota

Chevra B’nai Ya’akov/Beth Jacob of St. Paul, Minnesota   Chevra B’nai Ya’akov, the “Polish Shul,” was founded in 1875. The members met in many locations until 1881, when the first building was constructed on College Avenue between Wabasha and St. Peter. In 1888, due to their growing community, they

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