The earliest synagogue component was Congregation B'nai Abraham established in 1889 and incorporated in 1891 in a South Minneapolis neighborhood by Romanian Jewish immigrants.

"[3] The congregation's first home, on 15th Avenue South between 3rd and 4th Streets, seated about 300 people followed the customs of Romanian Jews.

[3] The second building, at 825 Thirteenth Avenue South, was B'nai Abraham's home for 36 years starting in 1920.

His wife Sophie was the daughter of Alexandru Șafran, chief rabbi of Romania until his death.

The building on Ottawa Avenue was put up for sale[5][6] and is now owned by an Orthodox Jewish high school, known as the Yeshiva of Minneapolis.