Our History
Our Rich History
Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim was originally established as the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Rapides Parish in 1852 in order to provide a Jewish Cemetery for burials. Three men, Samuel Bernstein (a resident of Winn Parish), Henry Klotz and Abraham Mitchell purchased a piece of property in Pineville for the burial of Augusta Bernstein. One belief is that certain families bought a burial ground when a small outbreak of yellow fever claimed six Jewish lives in the early 1850's. Eventually, the society evolved into Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim, which means "Acts of Lovingkindness" in 1859. The first President of the Temple was Isaac Levy.
In 1860, the Jewish women of Alexandria assembled to found the Ladies' Hebrew Benevolent Society in order to raise money to buy real estate on which a temple could be built. The Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Society eventually changed its name to the Temple Sisterhood. In 1869, the Temple Sisterhood held a fundraising ball to raise money to build a Synagogue at the corner of Third and Fisk Streets. Construction of the Temple concluded in 1871. Two years later Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim became a founding Congregation of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations on October 14, 1873 and Rabbi Marx Kline was employed as its first rabbi.
Gemiluth Chassodim experienced a great increase in its membership from 123 families in 1925, to 154 families in 1930, and 203 families in 1945. The "Second Temple" which stood as an imposing Greek Revival structure (more than three stories tall) with a dome, unfortunately burned down in 1956.
The congregation had already constructed part of its current Synagogue at 2021 Turner Street in the early 1950's. Designed by Congregation member Max Heinberg, of the Alexandria architectural firm Barron, Heinberg and Brocato, and constructed by Congregation member and builder Barnet Brezner, it stands as a unique example of Mid-Century Modern architecture. In the late 1950's, the current Sanctuary, offices and classrooms were added. The Sanctuary is capable of holding some 360 people at maximum capacity. The Congregation is in the process of applying for historical status in the National Historic Register.
As is true of many small Jewish Synagogues in the South, and indeed across the country, the numbers of our Congregation have diminished to around 60 families. However, the Temple is thriving with energy and enthusiasm; with a Religious School of 23 students and a talented teacher force; with multidisciplinary, interactive programs for youth and a computer lab for Hebrew and religious study. We offer adult and the Rabbi hosts an Introduction to Judaism class each year that is open to the community.
In 1984, Rabbi Martin I. Hinchin wrote and published FOURSCORE AND ELEVEN, A History of the Jews of Rapides Parish 1828-1919. The history was published in time for the 125 Anniversary Celebration of the Congregation on February 24, 1984. The book is still available. Please call the Temple office to obtain a copy.
Synagogue & Grounds
The third synagogue for Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim was begun in 1951 with the construction of the Social Hall/Auditorium which has a performance stage, kitchen and dining space, and classrooms for religious education. The second phase was completed c.1960, and included the sanctuary and ark, commemorative courtyards, formal entry and rabbinical offices.
The building was designed by Max J. Heinberg, a Temple member and noted architect with the firm Barron, Heinberg and Brocato. The synagogue is considered one of his best works. The building style is Mid-Century Modern, which is characterized by such features as simple geometry in construction, clean lines with minimal ornamentation, multiple roof lines, large expanses of glass to achieve natural lighting, use of glass, brick, steel and other metals. Two artistic features of the building are its masonry exterior fascias and stained glass columns.
The Congregation is on the National Register of Historical Places in Louisiana, as the synagogue embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Mid-Century Modern period and style.
SANCTUARY
The sanctuary seats 360, for services, holidays or performances, however, we have often drawn large crowds for the High Holidays, concerts and funerals of well-known members. The seats are cushioned with arms, arranged in two sections with a generous center aisle. The rear of the sanctuary is a wall of glass which looks out onto the courtyard and the Endowment Monument. The sides of the sanctuary are lined with masonry columns that contain large chunks of stained glass that deliver splashes of color throughout the synagogue when morning and afternoon light shines through. The ceilings are enormously tall, with levels which were designed to resemble the tents of our ancestors; beautiful modern lighting is carefully placed in the area.
The ark is the focal point in the synagogue. It houses three Torahs with magnificent velvet covers and sterling silver ornamentation. The ark is topped with two white marble tablets symbolizing the Ten Commandments. The ark was recently refurbished, the exterior being embellished with gold, and new drapes of old gold and sheer gold mesh serve to open the ark. A modern fixture hangs over the ark as the "eternal light."
MUSEUM
The Temple Museum is a favorite space at the synagogue. The most imposing item in the museum is the ark from the Congregation's second Temple, salvaged before the fire that destroyed the building. The eternal light from that Temple hangs over the ark. A hand-blown amber glass cylinder is a second eternal light, which is embellished with a metal shield cut in a menorah-shaped stencil. Many artifacts donated or lent by members through the years include old family menorahs, ancient prayer books and decorative items which fill the shelves. Many genealogies of the founding families of the Congregation were compiled by Jacque Caplan who had taken a special interest in the Museum and its contents. Large leather scrapbooks contain news clippings that have been collected through the years.
HINCHIN SOCIAL HALL
This large space was used as the sanctuary when the first phase of the synagogue was constructed. A stage held the ark and pulpit (bima). Now we use the Social Hall to host receptions, dinners and special events. Behind the stage, there were several classrooms. Once the new classrooms were constructed, these rooms became storage areas. Hinchin Hall is named for Rabbi Emeritus Martin I. Hinchin, who retired in 1988 after 30 years of service as Rabbi for the Temple.
TASK GARDEN ROOM
The Garden Room was designed as a "dining space" and indeed it is used for the serving of food. However, it has been a valuable space that has been used in many ways. It is our smaller "social hall". It is where buffets are set up for food service; it has been used as an adult education classroom; it has been used as the Temple Board Room; it has been used for Sisterhood lunch meetings, and it has been used for Shabbat services and Torah Study. The room looks out onto the courtyard through a wall of glass; birds are regularly fed bread from the kitchen, and they compete with the resident turtle family for the crumbs. For these reasons, Rabbi Arnold Task enjoyed delivering Shabbat services in this room, and it ultimately gained the name the "Task Garden Room."
THE SYNAGOGUE OF CONGREGATION GEMILUTH CHASSODIM
THE JEWISH TEMPLE IN ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA
WAS ADMITTED TO THE NATIONAL HISTORIC REGISTER ON JANUARY 29, 2014.
Gemiluth Chassodim Synagogue was admitted to the National Register of Historic Places on January 29, 2014 as a notable example of the post-war architectural style known as Mid-Century Modern. It was designed by a member of the Congregation, Max J Heinberg, founding partner of the architectural firm Barron, Heinberg and Brocato. His design incorporated elements closely associated with Frank Lloyd Wright, and reflects an architectural style embraced by Percival Goodman and Eric Mendelsohn in the mid-twentieth century that envisioned synagogues as “temples of light.” It was constructed by Barnet Brezner, a local contractor and member of the Congregation. The original section, built in 1952-53, includes the social hall, kitchen and classrooms and reflects International Style elements. In 1960-61, the Temple built an addition of even greater architectural significance that includes additional classrooms, administrative offices, conference room, library, museum, two foyers, interior courtyards, and most importantly, a sanctuary. The sanctuary is said to be “a work of abstract sculpture” in Mid-Century Modern style. It features floor-to-ceiling art glass panels that create a stained-glass effect in a non-traditional way. The synagogue’s most unique feature, as viewed from inside and out, is a sharply angled prow-like architectural feature, or “lantern,” that rises above the Ark of the bimah, filling the area with natural light. This building is the third home of the congregation which originally founded on October 2, 1859.
