Fall River Jewish community collection

The first Jews to settle in Fall River were German. Charles and Henry Strassman arrived from California in 1870, followed by Edward Landman, Isador Harris and others. Several Jewish merchants owned stores on South Main Street in the 1870s, including Henry Strassman (the first “department” store in the city), Samuel Morris (a hardware store), Schlosstein (cigars), Boas (men’s clothing), and Isaac Landman (women’s hats). They were followed by Jews from Eastern Europe: Isaac and Louis Smolensky in 1874, and between 1880 and 1884, Louis Kavolsky, Simon Gourse, Moses Markell, Samuel Shon, Samuel Smolensky, Joseph Madowsky and others. Early Eastern European Jewish settlers were peddlers, but they were later able to establish shops and stores. The first Jewish-owned store among this group, which sold clothing, was established in 1884 by Louis Smolensky.

Before the first congregation was formed in Fall River, Jewish residents had to travel to Providence or Newport, Rhode Island to attend services. Congregation Adas Israel was formed in 1888, located on the top floor of the Troy Building at Fourth and Pleasant Streets. Two years later the synagogue moved to South Main Street. By 1897 the congregation had grown enough to call for a permanent building, which was erected on Pearl Street. Several Jewish fraternal organizations were formed in the same year, including the Sons of Benjamin, B’rith Abraham and the Sons of Judea, and in 1902 the First Talmud Torah Association, and the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Associations. In 1905 the Jewish population of Fall River was 1500, and by 1920 it was 7500, following a period of rapid growth. In 1913 the Hebrew Ladies’ Helping Hand Society was formed. In 1915 and 1916 three other orthodox congregations were formed – Paole Zedeck, Ben Jacob and Beth David, none of which exist today. In 1924 Temple Beth El was founded, a congregation which continues today, despite a fire which destroyed the synagogue in 1928. It was rebuilt and rededicated in 1929.