Congregation Mickve Israel has a long and storied history, dating back to 1733, just a few months after the founding of the City of Savannah. 42 intrepid Jews set sail from England aboard The William and Sarah, with little more than their beloved Torah (which the Congregation still uses annually in our anniversary Shabbat service) and a special kit for circumcision. They arrived in Savannah, a border colony town with an innovative vision for religious tolerance, to start their lives anew in a land of freedom.

These brave settlers went on to found Kahal Kadosh Mickva Israel: Holy Congregation, the Hope of Israel. Through war, plagues, and struggles, the Congregation survived, even thrived. Today, we have over 350 member families, an active schedule of services and activities, and a place of involvement in our community and in the world at large. We like to think that our ancestors would be extremely proud of the remarkable legacy they started in Savannah over 280 years ago. 

To read a more in-depth history of our Congregation, we invite you to visit The Story of Mickve Israel, or to come in person to see our world-class museum and tour our sanctuary.