The 1890’s

The 1890’s

1890: In the mid-1890’s small proportion of Eastern European Jews began what became an influx of new settlers from the mid-west. After an initial lack of enthusiasm by the older settled Jewish community, B’nai B’rith accepted 42 Eastern European Jewish children into their Sunday School.
1891: Concordia Club founded, whose 100 members represented the Jewish social elite until the 1920s when the Hillcrest Country Club began.
1893: Depression (The result was rapid and erratic growth in industry and transportation).
1894: Max Meyberg organizes the first “Fiesta de Los Angeles,” a parade and carnival modeled on the New Orleans Mardi Gras, sponsored by the Merchant’s Association to help improve the economy.
1896: Brith Congregation builds its second synagogue at 9th and Hope; Herman W. Hellman became Vice President of the Farmer’s National Bank, resigned from his company, Hellman, Haas & Co., going on to serve as a director of twelve L.A. banks. His office building at 4th and Spring stands today.
January 1897: First issue of B’nai B’rith “Messenger” which became an “important source of communal self-awareness” (Vorspan)
Dec 1, 1899: People’s Synagogue Beth El Conservative congregation, led by M. G. Solomon, rabbi. Rabbi Sigmund Hecht (1849-1927) came to Los Angeles as Congregation B’nai B’rith’s new Reform rabbi. Beth Israel (Olive St. Shul), the oldest Orthodox congregation, was founded.

The 30th IAJGS Conference on Jewish Genealogy