Florence in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Beth Israel Congregation
Photographed by Dave W, May 21, 2023
1. Beth Israel Congregation Marker, Side One
Jews have lived in Florence since the citys founding in the 1850s and were among its early civic leaders. Local Jews first formally organized in 1887 as the Florence Hebrew Benevolent Association. The groups mission was to promote community and establish a Jewish cemetery, now 1 mi. SE of here. Members also opened a school for Jewish children before merging with Beth Israel Congregation in 1922.
(Continued on other side)
(Continued from other side)
Founded in 1912, Beth Israel Congregation originally followed the Orthodox tradition before joining the Reform movement in 1931. After meeting in several places around the city, this building, the groups first permanent synagogue, was finished in 1949, with major additions in 1970. As other Pee Dee Jewish communities later dwindled in size, Beth Israel increasingly came to serve worshippers from around the region.
Erected 2019 by Beth Israel Congregation. (Marker Number 21-50.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Synagogues series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 34° 11.519′ N, 79° 46.693′ W. Marker is in Florence, South Carolina, in Florence County. It is on South Park Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 316 S Park Avenue, Florence SC 29501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Dark Days of the Holocaust (within shouting distance of this marker); Lawton-Chase House / Florence Museum (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Henry Timrod Schoolhouse (approx. 0.6 miles away); Skirmish March 5, 1865 West of Gamble's Hotel (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Original Site of The Wayside Hospital (approx. 0.7 miles away); McLeod Medical Center (approx. 0.7 miles away); Florence Civic Improvement Society Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Cruiser Pee Dee, C.S.N. (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Henry Timrod (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Dave W, May 21, 2023
2. Beth Israel Congregation Marker, Side Two
Photographed by Dave W, May 21, 2023
3. Beth Israel Congregation Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 259 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 22, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
