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  4. 1300 Block of Park Street

1300 Block of Park Street

1300 Block of Park Street

A Rabbi in Residence

Russian immigrant David Karesh (1878-1964) arrived in Columbia in 1908 to lead the newly-formed House of Peace congregation. He first lived at 1329 Gates (Park) Street, across the street from the shul, and later resided at several houses on this block in the 1920s. Widely admired by both the Jewish and lay communities, Karesh served as rabbi and later rabbi emeritus for 53 years. For decades he served as the community’s only shohet, a person capable of slaughtering kosher meat in accordance with Jewish law. Rabbis often served as shohatim in small communities, as a rabbi met the requirements of being a pious Jew and observer of the Sabbath, the traditional day of rest. Karesh received his kosher meat from Arthur Dent’s butcher shop at 1334 Assembly Street.

  • Rabbi Karesh and soldiers

    Rabbi David Karesh entertaining soldiers at a holiday dinner. Image courtesy of Special Collections, College of Charleston Libraries

Evelyn Lifchez Siegel remembers Rabbi David Karesh.

Directions:

    Previous1318 Park Street

    Next825 Washington Street

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    Historic Columbia

    © 2023 Historic Columbia

    Administrative Offices
    1601 Richland Street
    Columbia, SC 29201

    Tours
    All historic house and garden tours start at the Gift Shop at Robert Mills.
    1616 Blanding Street
    Columbia, SC 29201

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