Temple B'nai Israel - The History of a BOI

B'nai Israel is a statement. It is a statement of commitment by Jews to the preservation of their religious heritage. A founding member of the Reform Jewish movement in America, it has been a significant presence within its community. Its history reflects the entrepreneurial talents of its members, the tenacity of its Rabbis and it's impacting presence in Galveston, Texas.



B'nai Israel is a BOI. The letters BOI (born on the island) have been an acronym for those individuals who trace their roots to Galveston Island, a true island located in the Gulf of Mexico, just off the coast of Texas. More than a label of nativity, it represents a descriptive eponym that conveys uniqueness. More so, it conveys a pride of specialness that even rivals being a Texan. When the bridge that connected Galveston to the mainland had a draw span in its middle, it was said that all things of importance stopped at that span - the Island side, that is. For the true B.O.I., once one traveled to the Galveston side of that span all that really matter was Galveston thought and life and the rest of the world be damned.



B'nai Israel is as proud and independent as is the island it calls home. This dignified congregation is representative of the American Jewish community and has been so for 136+ years. The following pages are part of its history.