Researching Synagogues and Rabbis in Our Collections

The JHC holds synagogue records from three New England states—Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island—as well as the personal and professional papers of New England rabbis and cantors.

Massachusetts Synagogue History

Compared to other states and regions of colonial America, the Massachusetts Jewish community formed relatively late. Though various Jewish individuals came and went through Massachusetts in the late 1600s and early 1700s, one of the first—though temporary—Jewish communities in the state was formed in 1777 in Leicester by Aaron Lopez, Jacob Rodriguez Rivera, and their families, who fled Newport, Rhode Island during the American Revolution. As the Jewish population grew and a permanent Jewish community began to form in the state, congregations were formed. The first Jewish congregation in Massachusetts—and the third oldest in New England—was Temple Ohabei Shalom, founded in 1842 in Boston (later relocating to Brookline). Massachusetts’ second Jewish congregation, Boston's Temple Israel, was founded in 1854 as a breakaway from Temple Ohabei Shalom. By the late 19th century and early 20th century, due to an influx of Jewish immigration to the United States—including Massachusetts—and the dispersal of the Jewish community throughout the state, hundreds of congregations were formed, catering to different communities, immigrant groups, and denominations. While many of these synagogues dissolved or merged throughout the years, today there are approximately 160 congregations serving Massachusetts’ nearly 300,000 Jewish residents. To view a list of all Massachusetts synagogues that have been recorded, please see Massachusetts Synagogues and Their Records, Past and Present by Carol Clingan of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Boston.

Connecticut Synagogue History

Jews had settled in Connecticut as early as 1659, but a significant community didn’t exist until the mid-19th century when German Jews began to immigrate and settle in the area. While Jewish congregations were not permitted to incorporate in Connecticut until 1843, informal congregations were formed prior to that, including the state’s first congregation, Congregation Mishkan Israel in New Haven, organized in 1840, and Congregation Beth Israel in Hartford, founded in 1843. By 1877, there were approximately 1,500 Jews residing in Connecticut, and by 1927, after an influx of Eastern European Jewish immigration, its Jewish population swelled to 94,000, and eventually 105,000 by 1969. By this time, many of the larger Jewish communities were in the southern part of the state, considered to be suburbs of New York City. Today, there are approximately 108 synagogues that serve the state’s nearly 118,000 Jewish residents.

Rhode Island Synagogue History

Rhode Island's Jewish community dates back to 1658, when a group of Sephardic Jewish immigrants began to settle in Newport. By the time of the American Revoluton, the community had grown to over 30 families. Some of these individuals from the state's early Jewish community include well-known figures in American Jewish history such as Aaron Lopez, Moses Seixas, Moses Michael Hayes, and Judah Touro. The state of Rhode Island boasts the oldest existing synagogue in North America--Newport's Touro Synagogue, which was completed and dedicated in 1763. As more Jews began to settle and spread throughout the state, congregations in Providence, Cranston, Warwick, and other surrounding areas were founded to serve the community's religious needs. Today, there are approximately 23 congregations serving Rhode Island's nearly 19,000 Jewish residents.

Massachusetts Synagogue Collections

Below are the JHC’s archival collections related to Massachusetts synagogues. Click on a title to see an overview of the collection, view the collection’s finding aid (guide to the collection and its contents), and, if applicable, view the digitized collection on our Digital Library & Archives.

Please note: most of our digitized collections require the creation of a free guest user account to access. Click here for instructions on how to create a free account, as well as tips for navigating the Digital Library & Archives.

Beth Hamidrash Hagodol (Crawford Street Shul) (Roxbury, Boston, Mass.) Records, I-239

Beth Hamidrash Hagodol (known colloquially as the Crawford Street Shul), was founded in 1913 in a small house on Harold Street in Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts. In 1915, the cornerstone of the synagogue was placed at 105 Crawford Street in the Elm Hill District of Roxbury. The congregation elected Louis M. Epstein as their first Rabbi in 1918. This collection contains the business, activity and social records of Beth Hamidrash Hagodol, including correspondence, financial records, ledgers, yearbooks, souvenir books, and meeting minutes.

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Researching Synagogues & Clergy in Our Collections

Massachusetts Synagogue History

Connecticut Synagogue History

Rhode Island Synagogue History

Massachusetts Synagogue Collections

Connecticut Synagogue Collections

Rhode Island Synagogue Collections

Clergy Collections

Rabbinical & Synagogue Associations and Related Collections

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