Maintaining a place of worship for the Reform Jewish Community of Central Louisiana, to further Jewish education, promote Jewish culture and to provide facilities for social interaction. We will also conduct ourselves in accordance with our name - Gemiluth Chassodim - which means "deeds of lovingkindness."
ABOUT US
Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim known locally as "The Jewish Temple" is an historic Jewish synagogue located in Alexandria, Louisiana. Founded in 1859 by Jews from the Alsace region of France, it is one of the oldest congregations in Louisiana and one of the original founding members of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, now known as the Union for Reform Judaism.
BEIT TEFILAH
House of Worship
Our Temple is a House of Worship.
Shabbat services are held every Friday night at 6 pm. We also stream our services on our YouTube channel. Once a month, we host a Family Shabbat Service with a dinner afterwards. We also hold services for special holy days and holidays.
For specific dates and times, please contact the Temple.
BEIT MIDRASH
House of Study
Our Temple is a House of Study.
We have an active Sunday School for children and offer adult and interfaith learning opportunities throughout the year. If you would like more information, please contact the Temple.
BEIT MIDRASH
House of Gathering
Our Temple is House of Gathering.
We host many fun, educational and entertaining events at the Temple for our members and the broader community. We gather to celebrate joyous occasions and to comfort one another in times of sorrow.
OUR RICH HISTORY
Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim was originally established as the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Rapides Parish in 1852 in order to provide a Jewish Cemetery for burials. Three men, Samuel Bernstein (a resident of Winn Parish), Henry Klotz and Abraham Mitchell purchased a piece of property in Pineville for the burial of Augusta Bernstein. One belief is that certain families bought a burial ground when a small outbreak of yellow fever claimed six Jewish lives in the early 1850's. Eventually, the society evolved into Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim, which means "Acts of Lovingkindness" in 1859. The first President of the Temple was Isaac Levy.
In 1984, Rabbi Martin I. Hinchin wrote and published FOURSCORE AND ELEVEN, A History of the Jews of Rapides Parish 1828-1919. The history was published in time for the 125 Anniversary Celebration of the Congregation on February 24, 1984. The book is still available. Please call the Temple office to obtain a copy.
VIRTUAL COMMUNITY
FRIDAY EVENING SHABBAT @ 6PM CST
To watch our services, go to the link below and click on LIVE. Many of our previous services are archived here as well.
