Early 19th century ketubah (marriage contract) written in Hebrew and English, Charleston, South Carolina.

Early 19th Century Ketubah

According to this ketubbah (marriage contract), Maurice Strauss and Fanny Adler were married in Charleston, S.C. on December 17, 1844. Little is known about the couple. Strauss was the postmaster of Cokesbury, S.C. and Adler was, as stated in the ketubbah, "of priestly descent." As dictated by tradition, the contract is signed by two witnesses. One of these witnesses was Jacob Rosenfeld, who noted his position as "Reader of Congregation Beth Elohim." He served as rabbi of the congregation beginning in 1845. Certain members of Beth Elohim, including Rosenfeld, protested reforms such as the installation of an organ in the sanctuary. A few years after the Strauss/Adler wedding, in 1847, Rosenfeld delivered the speech consecrating the new Charleston Orthodox congregation--his time at Beth Elohim seems to have been short-lived.