Shangarai Chasset, also called Shaarei Chesed, was an Orthodox and later, Reform, Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States.
Shangarai Chasset was founded in New Orleans on December 20, 1827,[1] and chartered by the Louisiana legislature on March 27, 1828 by Jacob Solis.
Around the same time the synagogue was founded, a related benevolent society was established with the same name, "Shaare Chessed," (the first interment therein was that of a Hyam Harris on June 28, 1828).
However, the high intermarriage rate did not preclude the congregation from appointing men with gentile wives to leadership positions in the synagogue.
Despite shortcomings in their religious observance, their love of their religion, and service to their community was nonetheless noteworthy, as it paved the way for future generations of Jewish life in New Orleans.