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SOME JEWISH HISTORY
The first mention of Jews in connection with Hawaii was in 1798, when a sailor on the whaling
ship Neptune recorded in the ships log that the Hawaiian king had come aboard and brought a
Jewish cook with him! Jewish merchants began arriving in Hawaii between 1850-1900 and
established themselves as suppliers to the sugar plantations, as well as owners of coffee
plantations. A Torah which had been given to King Kalakaua in the 1880s was frequently
borrowed from the Kawananakoa family for use in services. In 1901, 40 residents formed the
first congregation, the Hebrew Congregation of Hawaii, which lasted about six years.
The first mention of Jews in connection with Hawaii was in 1798, when a sailor on the whaling
ship Neptune recorded in the ships log that the Hawaiian king had come aboard and brought a
Jewish cook with him! Jewish merchants began arriving in Hawaii between 1850-1900 and
established themselves as suppliers to the sugar plantations, as well as owners of coffee
plantations. A Torah which had been given to King Kalakaua in the 1880s was frequently
borrowed from the Kawananakoa family for use in services. In 1901, 40 residents formed the
first congregation, the Hebrew Congregation of Hawaii, which lasted about six years.
After World War I the Jewish Welfare Board sent Alexander and Jennie Linczer to establish a
JWB Center in their home. They were later joined by Max Goldman and the Usheroff family as
leaders of the Jewish community. The origins of an organized Temple Emanu-El date back to
1938 when 35 Jewish families on Oahu formed the Honolulu Jewish Community. In 1939, in
cooperation with the Jewish Welfare Board, a small chapel on Young Street was leased and
converted into a Jewish Community Center (JCC), which also served as Honolulu's first
permanent synagogue.
JWB Center in their home. They were later joined by Max Goldman and the Usheroff family as
leaders of the Jewish community. The origins of an organized Temple Emanu-El date back to
1938 when 35 Jewish families on Oahu formed the Honolulu Jewish Community. In 1939, in
cooperation with the Jewish Welfare Board, a small chapel on Young Street was leased and
converted into a Jewish Community Center (JCC), which also served as Honolulu's first
permanent synagogue.
During World War II, the JCC continued as the focal point of the Jewish community with
religious services conducted by military chaplains stationed in Hawaii. In 1942 the Honolulu
Jewish Community established a Hebrew Burial Society consecrating a section of the Oahu
Cemetery in Nuuanu for use as a Jewish cemetery. In 1947, the JWB sent Rabbi Emanuel
Kumin to Hawaii to serve as its director and the HJC also hired him to serve the congregation
on a part-time basis. Sisterhood was organized, and the religious school was begun.
religious services conducted by military chaplains stationed in Hawaii. In 1942 the Honolulu
Jewish Community established a Hebrew Burial Society consecrating a section of the Oahu
Cemetery in Nuuanu for use as a Jewish cemetery. In 1947, the JWB sent Rabbi Emanuel
Kumin to Hawaii to serve as its director and the HJC also hired him to serve the congregation
on a part-time basis. Sisterhood was organized, and the religious school was begun.
From the early 1950s to the present, the congregation grew from 60 to about 300 members.
During this time significant changes occurred: the congregation affiliated with the Reform
movement, changed its name to Temple Emanu-El, built a sanctuary and education building,
hired full-time rabbis and directors of its religious school. Rabbi Peter Schaktman led the
congregation as Interim Rabbi in 2005/06 and was selected as the permanent Rabbi in the
spring of 2006.
During this time significant changes occurred: the congregation affiliated with the Reform
movement, changed its name to Temple Emanu-El, built a sanctuary and education building,
hired full-time rabbis and directors of its religious school. Rabbi Peter Schaktman led the
congregation as Interim Rabbi in 2005/06 and was selected as the permanent Rabbi in the
spring of 2006.
