June 8 marked the start of the second South Texas Jewish Archives (STJA) Archival Fellowship, a hands-on program designed to introduce high school students to local Jewish history, research and archival work. This year, nine students from across the Houston area, representing four different schools, came together for an immersive week of learning and discovery.

The focus of this year’s program was the Jewish community of Galveston, with special attention given to the newly acquired collection from Congregation B’nai Israel of Galveston.

Founded in 1868, Congregation B’nai Israel is the second-oldest synagogue and the longest continuously operating Reform synagogue in Texas. Its most well-known leader, Rabbi Henry Cohen, z”l, served both the congregation and the broader Galveston community for more than 60 years, from 1888 to 1952.

Students in Galveston at the old Temple B’nai Israel building.

Rabbi Cohen gained national recognition for his work as a member of the Central Relief Committee, following the Galveston storm of 1900, and for his role as an advocate and guide for nearly 10,000 Jewish immigrants who entered the United States through the Port of Galveston during the Galveston Movement (1907-1914).

Even before Rabbi Cohen’s arrival, Jewish families, such as the Kempners, Kopperls, Levys and Blums had already made significant contributions to Galveston’s development in business, banking and railroads.

The new fellows dove headfirst into all things Galveston, studying artifacts related to the Galveston storm and the Galveston Movement during the first days of the program. On the first day, Wednesday, they traveled to the island for a field excursion, beginning at the Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery, where many of Galveston’s early Jewish residents are buried. The group then visited the Texas and Galveston History Center at the Rosenberg Library to examine archival materials firsthand.

A visit with Rabbi Peter Kessler of Congregation B’nai Israel offered insight into the synagogue’s enduring impact, including the legacy of more recent leaders such as
Rabbi Jimmy Kessler, z”l.

The fellows also visited the historic Hotel Galvez, built in part by I.H. Kempner, and explored the seawall and the original B’nai Israel building, all powerful reminders of the community’s resilience following the devastating 1900 storm. Their day concluded at Galveston’s historic seaport Ship to Shore museum, where they learned about the journeys of immigrants who arrived through the Port of Galveston.

On Thursday, the fellows examined primary-source documents from the B’nai Israel collection, using them as a foundation for their final presentations at Rice University’s Fondren Library on Friday. These presentations offered a compelling glimpse into the rich stories preserved within the archives.

Sophie Berman, a sophomore at The Emery/Weiner School, explored Rabbi Cohen’s creation of the Open Forum in 1928 as a space for civic dialogue and public education. Logan Burke of Stephen F. Austin High School examined the lasting impact of the Lasker family, both locally and nationally. Lyla Wolf, an Emery/Weiner sophomore, analyzed Rabbi Cohen’s role in Texas prison reform in the 1920s.

Ben Bernstein, an Emery/Weiner junior, focused on correspondence between Rabbi Cohen and Rev. Edmund Gibson, highlighting the role of religious leaders in addressing social issues and guiding community members through the justice system. Mikayla Eleh, a senior at Kinder HSPVA, investigated the role of the B’nai Israel Sisterhood within the broader statewide organization.

Addie Penny, an Emery/Weiner junior, researched early Jewish philanthropist Rosanna Dyer Osterman. In a timely connection to American history, Tovah Miller, a senior at Beren Academy, analyzed “Ode to America,” a document from B’nai Israel’s 1976 bicentennial celebration.

Elexis Segal compared the life and leadership of Rabbi Cohen to that of Rabbi Jack Segal, z”l, of Congregation Beth Yeshurun. Finally, Avi Govshteyn, an Emery/Weiner sophomore, examined the evolution of the Galveston Jewish community over the past 150 years.

Reflecting on the week, Eleh said, “Over the past few days, I found myself reflecting on the special opportunity I was given to build my knowledge of archival work, its inherent value and the importance of its preservation. I will forever hold the experiences this program has provided me dear to my heart. It’s an experience that I’ll truly never forget!”

The STJA Archival Fellowship connects students with history in a meaningful way. By working directly with original documents and exploring the stories of Jewish life in South Texas, these fellows gain not only research skills but a deeper appreciation for the past and their place in preserving it. In doing so, they help ensure that these stories continue to be told for generations to come.

For information about the Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives, contact Melissa Cohen-Nickels, curator, at mc220@rice.edu.