The reformed Jewish temple began in 1867 in the home of Jacob and Karoline
Felsanthal. A room in their home was set apart to house the Torah brought from Germany by
Joe Sternberger. In the following years some 30 families of Jewish people settled in
Brownsville. Among them were: Ankor, Greenwall, Rothschild, Felsenthal, Sternberger, Levi,
Tamm and Levy.
By 1882 the congregation was too large to meet in a home and a wooden temple was built on the corner of Washington and College, housing the Torah in its rightful place in the Ark. Temple Adas Israel is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Under the leadership of Abe Sternberger, the building was brick veneered in 1920, the rosturm enlarged, new organ purchased and new pews installed. The "Star of David" was set in concrete above the entrance and members made memorial gifts in the form of beautiful stained glass windows, a perpetual lamp, and tablet of stone representing the ten commandments. All are still intact.
3 Jun 2009