In 1853, a splinter group from Newark’s first synagogue B’nai Jeshurun formed Congregation B’nai Abraham. Originally Orthodox, the temple later embraced the Conservative tradition. In 1924, the synagogue moved to a beautiful new complex in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Newark. Unlike most temples in Newark, B’nai Abraham included not just a sanctuary but also a school, a gymnasium, an auditorium and a pool. For the better part of 40 years the temple was the hub of Jewish life in the Clinton Hill neighborhood.

B’nai Abraham was also well known because their rabbi, Joachim Prinz, was very involved in the Civil Rights struggle and a friend of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rabbi Prinz spoke at the 1963 March on Washington right before Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.

The post card included in this blog shows the home of B’nai Abraham ,from 1897-1923, on the corner of High Street and 13th Avenue. This site is now part of the Essex County Courthouse parking lot approximately where the fountain and benches are.