First Congregation Sons of Israel

April 7, 2022

St. Augustine, FL

Established in 1923, the First Congregation Sons of Israel Synagogue became home to many people of the Jewish religion here in St. Augustine. Families that started this congregation immigrated from Eastern European and Russian countries. Rabbi Jacob Tarlinsky was the first Rabbi during the establishment and dedication of the church. Since the founding of the First Congregation Sons of Israel, environmental impacts have left the synagogue with many projects. Hurricane Matthew hit St. Augustine on October 7, 2016, and did not reopen until August of 2018. The hurricane caused much damage to the building but created beautiful additions and transformations from the destruction. Today visitors can see the Star of David mounted on the ceiling above the chandelier, intricate and beautiful stained glass windows, and the awe of the synagogue as a whole when touring or attending services held inside. Jewish holidays are exhibited here as well as weekly Shabbat services on Fridays and Saturdays. Whether visiting or attending a service, the wonders of this historic building are a must-see in St. Augustine. 

Website Link: https://www.firstcongregationsonsofisrael.com/

Artifact 1

The chairs that are pictured above have been restored since Hurricane Matthew's destruction of the Jewish synagogue. Today, the chair cushions are boat seats. Boat seats make these chairs comfortable for enjoying services. When the synagogue was first founded in the 1900s, the men and women of the congregation were separated. During services, women would sit on the balcony while the men would sit on the ground floor. Years ago, this way of separation was customary.

Artifact 2 

The Jewish Menorah is displayed in the First Congregation Sons of Israel Synagogue next to the Ark of the Covenant. This oil lamp holding seven branches represents faith and hope by the light of the flames. In the Jewish religion, the symbol of the Menorah is important. It is the symbol of Judaism. 

Exterior 1

Exterior 2

In Conversation Image 1

The stained glass windows inside the First Congregation Sons of Israel Jewish Synagogue came from a Jewish synagogue located in Atlanta, Georgia. This synagogue was being torn down because of an interstate highway that was being put in its place. This specific window, pictured above, depicts the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant in the Indiana Jones movie looks just like the one pictured on the stained glass. In the movie, "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark", Indiana Jones is trying to get to this same ark before his opponents obtain it for world domination. 

Picture Link: https://movieweb.com/indiana-jones-ark-of-the-covenant-antiques-roadshow-video/

In Conversation Image 2 

 

In the First Congregation Sons of Israel Synagogue, the ceiling is adorned with the Star of David above the chandelier. Being inside a Jewish synagogue reminded me of Israel and its flag. The country of Israel's flag has the Star of David placed right in the center. This is the symbol of Judaism and the Jewish faith. Originally, the Star of David was a symbol of Zionism. When Israel was becoming a country, they wanted a symbol represented on the flag to reflect Christianity the way the cross did. They chose the Star of David because this shape was recognized among the Jews and seemed like the obvious choice for the flag. On October 28, 1948, the flag of Israel was adopted and that is the flag we see represent the nation of Israel today. 

Photo Link: https://www.jpost.com/tags/star-of-david 

In Conversation Literature

Parable of the Sower Graphic Novel 

Damian Duffy 

"God is power."

Damian Duffy's graphic novel interpretation of Parable of the Sower follows the main character Lauren Olamina through her spiritual journey in a crumbling future version of America. In the novel, Lauren's notes on her religious beliefs state a list of what she believes God to be. I related her statement of "God is power" to the First Congregation Sons of Israel because they have seen God's power throughout the hardships that the synagogue has endured. The faith that the people of the church have held onto has carried them through the destruction that Hurricane Matthew made years ago. God's power is exhibited in the history of the beautiful building. Even after the damage that was done, God provided the means to restore the synagogue showing his faithfulness and power to the people of the First Congregation Sons of Israel. 

Creative Component