Congregation B'nai Zion (Shreveport, La.)

The Jewish community of Shreveport, Louisiana dates back to 1848 but a synagogue was not founded until 1857. Originally named Har-El in 1861, services were conducted by Rabbi Julius Lewin at the home of congregational founder Abraham Winter. In 1866, the congregation obtained a charter changing their name to Hebrew Zion congregation and in 1869 they built their first building, situated near most of Shreveport's churches.

The congregation joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in 1908. In 1914 a new building was constructed and a year later the congregation changed its name to B'nai Zion. At this time the rabbi was Moses P. Jacobson.

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