History of the Jews in Galveston, Texas

One of the pioneers of Reform Judaism in the United States, Abraham Cohen Labatt, moved to Galveston in 1878 and joined the congregation.

Under the leadership of Rabbi Louis Feigon, the members raised funds to build a new synagogue on the site of the old Hebrew Orthodox Benevolent Association.

[6] One of B'nai Israel's rabbis, Henry Cohen, helped found the Galveston Movement in the early part of the twentieth century.

Ten thousand Jewish immigrants passed through Galveston, Texas during this era, approximately one-third the number who migrated to Palestine during the same period.

Within several years, however, local merchants began fearing the increased competition, and others were frustrated that Polish Jews would not work on Saturday.

[9] The Jewish community in Galveston welcomed their first native Texas rabbi when Jimmy Kessler assumed leadership of Congregation B'nai Israel.