A South Carolina Historical Marker dedication ceremony was held on September 12, 2021, on the grounds of Beth Israel. Multiple generations of Beth Israel Congregation members were in attendance. Members of Florence City Council also attended to express their support of Florence’s Jewish Community. The Jewish people have had a rich history in Florence for nearly two centuries. After forming a community in the 1850s, the city began to grow. In 1887, the local Jews began the Hebrew Benevolent Association. In 1912, Beth Israel Congregation was born and the two institutions merged in 1922. Though the Hebrew Benevolent Society remains its own separate entity. The synagogue was built in 1949; with additions completed in 1970.
The marker reads:
“Jews have lived in Florence since the city’s founding in the 1850s and were among its early civic leaders. Local Jews first formally organized in 1887 as the Florence Hebrew Benevolent Association. The group’s mission was to promote community and to establish a Jewish cemetery, now 1 mi. SE of here. Members also opened a school for Jewish children before merging with Beth Israel Congregation in 1922.
Founded in 1912, Beth Israel originally followed the Orthodox tradition before joining the Reform movement in 1931. After meeting in several places around the city, this building, the groups first permanent synagogue, was finished in 1949, with major additions in 1970. As other Pee Dee Jewish communities later dwindled in size, Beth Israel increasingly came to serve worshippers from around the region.”