Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Reform Congregation of Charleston

Charleston, United States

4.2

9 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 843-723-1090
Website:
www.kkbe.org
Address:
90 Hasell St, Charleston, SC, 29401
Ansonborough
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Today

Today –
Local time (Charleston) 22:15 Saturday, 31 May 2025

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 11:30 am
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 11:30 am
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 11:30 am
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 11:30 am
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 11:30 am
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Saturday –
Sunday 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Torah, Avodah, G’milut Chasadim

The mission of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim shall be to serve the religious needs of families and individuals through:

Programs of lifelong Jewish education (Torah),

Inclusive communal worship and ritual (Avodah),

Ongoing quest for greater justice, peace and acts of loving-​kindness (G’milut Chasadim).

History

Established in 1749.

From our beginnings in 1749, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE) has been at the spiritual heart of Jewish Charleston. Since 1841, we have served as the cornerstone of Reform Jewish practice. We strive to provide our more than 500 member households a wide range of worship and learning experiences in a warm, caring, supportive environment.

The current Greek revival style temple was constructed in 1840, replacing the original 1794 Georgian structure that was destroyed by a fire in 1838.

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9 reviews of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Reform Congregation of Charleston

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
To broadly paraphrase what they used to say about Levy’s Jewish Rye Bread, you don’t have to be Jewish to love this synagogue’s tour. Of course, if you are Jewish, you’ll likely feel a sense of pride learning about the role that this temple and its members played in American history. Non-​Jewish visitors should also enjoy the rabbi’s talk, in the same way people enjoy eating soul food and listening to ethnic music. The rabbi really puts his heart and soul into this tour, which is crammed with information about the surprisingly fascinating role played by Charleston Jews in early American history. Who knew? Their small museum upstairs is crammed with interesting documents, objects, and photos, and worth lingering after the tour to study and enjoy.
Place rating: 3
Washington, DC
It was a pretty quick trip and it’s kind of cool to see something so historical. points to them for not sugarcoating anything bad that happened (either to them or by them re: slave ownership or general racism).
Only took about 15 minutes to get through the exhibit they had and the gift shop was nice if not a little kitchy.
Place rating: 4
McMurray, PA
I can’t comment on services here, as I’ve yet to attend any, but as a historical landmark, this is a wonderful synagogue to visit, and an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture. To hear the history of Jews in Charleston was interesting and eye opening, and to learn that this is the longest continuously operating synagogue in the United States was very surprising, as I thought that distinction went to Touro in Newport, which is actually the oldest, but has not been in continuous use throughout its history. The docent who led our small group of 4 was a transplant from New Jersey, and I enjoyed her talk as we sat in the very Protestant looking sanctuary. Afterward, we visited the gift shop, which reminded me of most Temple gift shops I’ve seen. I got some nice Hanukkah candles. This building and tour ought to be one everyone’s list of places to visit in beautiful Charleston.
Place rating: 5
Oxnard, CA
It was very interesting. Unfortunately, we had to cut the tour short because we had to be somewhere else.
Place rating: 3
Stamford, CT
The synagogue is beautiful to see, but the tour is much longer than the amount of information necessary. Most of it was wasted on hearing about the activities they do. The historical part was really all that was necessary.
Place rating: 4
Baltimore, MD
The Jewish narrative in the United States is generally dominated by what has happened in New York. Coming to Charleston and being able to learn about the deep Jewish history was a refreshing new perspective.
Place rating: 5
Lake of the Ozarks, MO
As lovely and peaceful as this little cemetery was in the winter, it must be beautiful in the spring and summer. My husband and I were looking for the famous Magnolia Cemetery and stumbled upon not only this little cemetery but others as well.
My husband is Jewish and tries to visit all the Jewish cemeteries wherever we visit in order to pay his respects. After googling this cemetery, I found out that you needed to have an appt to visit the cemetery. I decided to put off visiting the grounds until we had visited Magnolia but lo and behold… as we drove down a seemingly deserted street in an industrial area, first we found Beth Elohim, then the Magnolia and Bethel Cemetery. The gates were wide open and no appointment was needed! :o)
It is not very large and has a couple of big tombs, some grave sites as recent as 2006 and as old as 1895. It is situated by the water and one thing I found very interesting is that there were no Star of Davids on the old grave markers. My husband told me that they didn’t begin appearing until the late 50’s or 60’s.
The roads were easy to drive on and negotiate and it was a welcoming and peaceful place… You can drive your car directly into the cemetery and park on the side of the little roads… RIP good people~
Place rating: 4
Moncks Corner, SC
I attended the KKBE synagogue, as a means of exploration and visitation, and I was pleasantly surprised about the kindness, and graciousness of many of the congregation. Many smiled at me, shook my hand, asked me about myself, and welcomed me back.
Some time later, I was in need of prayer, so I contacted KKBE. I kindly received a return call, and prayer for resolution of a tremendous personal trial that I was in the midst of. Against all odds, my prayer was answered, and I am still in awe of the unexpected outcome. I attribute in part, the support that I received from KKBE to be one main reason why I am even more jubilant in God today. I am so grateful to KKBE for helping me in my time of need, and aiding me in receiving my honest-​to-​goodness miracle. Thank you so much!
Place rating: 5
Forest Hills, NY
We were discussing our trip to Charleston and Mister commented on seeing so many churches but not one synagogue. I agreed and immediately Unilocaled synagogues in Charleston on my iPhone (love).
We saw this synagogue listed as the oldest continually attended in the world– holy cow! Mister suggested we stop by on our way to the airport in the morning.
We found a spot on front of the synagogue and walked in. David, their docent, is a transplanted New Yorker and charming. He reconted the synogogue’s history, showed us their beautiful sanctuary and mini museum. A venerable Old World synogogue in the heart of Charleston, SC– who knew?
Take the tour!