Beaufort in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Beth Israel Synagogue
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
1. Beth Israel Synagogue Marker
(side 1 faces north synagogue on left)
(side 1 faces north synagogue on left)
Beth Israel (House of Israel) Congregation was founded and chartered in 1905. Beaufort's Jewish community dates before the American Revolution, but grew most rapidly from the 1880s to the 1930s as more families arrived from Eastern Europe. Services were held in private homes and later in the Masonic Hall on Bay St., with some ceremonial functions held in the Beaufort Arsenal on Craven St.
This frame synagogue was built by members of the congregation and dedicated in 1908, in ceremonies conducted by Rabbis J.J. Simonhoff of Charleston and George Solomon of Savannah. In 1910 the congregation bought a tract on Bladen St. for a cemetery that was established in 1912 and is still in use today. Founded as an Orthodox congregation, Beth Israel became a Conservative congregation in 1949.
Erected 2013 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Beaufort County Historical Society. (Marker Number 7-44.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Synagogues series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 32° 25.974′ N, 80° 40.247′ W. Marker is in Beaufort, South
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry and on the Sea Islands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: United When the Impossible Suddenly Became Possible (within shouting distance of this marker); A City Transformed (within shouting distance of this marker); City Meat Market & Firehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Beaufort Arsenal (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Henry Woodward, Surgeon 1646-1686 (within shouting distance of this marker); Discovering the Reconstruction Era in Beaufort County, South Carolina (within shouting distance of this marker); The Beaufort Firehouse & City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Carnegie Library (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaufort.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
2. Beth Israel Synagogue Marker
(side 2 faces south synagogue on right)
(side 2 faces south synagogue on right)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
3. Beth Israel Synagogue Marker
(side 1; wide view; Beaufort Arsenal left; Scott St. right)
(side 1; wide view; Beaufort Arsenal left; Scott St. right)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
4. Beth Israel Synagogue Marker
(side 2; wide view; synagogue in background)
(side 2; wide view; synagogue in background)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
5. Beth Israel Synagogue Menorah Gate
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 1, 2019
6. Beth Israel Synagogue (front view from Scott Street)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 600 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
