Shangarai Chasset was founded in New Orleans on December 20, 1827, and chartered by the Louisiana legislature on March 27, 1828 by Jacob Solis. The synagogue’s members were primarily of Sephardic Portuguese background. Around the same time the synagogue was founded, a related benevolent society was established with the same name, "Shaare Chessed," . Though Judah Touro was not initially interested in the congregation, he eventually gave generously to it. The congregation constructed a synagogue building in 1845 on Rampart Street between St. Louis and Conti Streets, the first permanent synagogue building in Louisiana. A plaque remains at the site. By 1846, the Jewish population had become more French and German because of the migration of Jews from Alsace-Lorraine. As a result, a Sephardic businessman, Gershom Kursheedt, convinced Judah Touro to establish a new Sephardic synagogue which he did on the corner of Bourbon St. and Canal St. The new congregation was called Nefutsoth Judah, Dispersed of Judah. By 1881, the two congregations couldn't exist separately and re-united under the name of The Gates of Mercy of the Dispersed of Judah. Eventually the congregation was called Touro Synagogue in honor of their mutual benefactor, but the name wasn't changed until 1937. Far from established Jewish communities, the congregation’s membership attempted to create a semblance of Jewish life and community in the new territory opened to them as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Upon its founding, most Jewish people were reportedly indifferent and not affiliated with the synagogue. Of those affiliated with the congregation, their level of observance was minimal. Jacob Rader Marcus, a noted historian, comments that the lack of affiliation to the synagogue may have in part resulted in many of the Jewish men in the Louisiana Territory taking non-Jewish wives and having non-Jewish children. However, the high intermarriage rate did not preclude the congregation from appointing men with gentile wives to leadership positions in the synagogue. Despite shortcomings in their religious observance, their love of their religion, and service to their community was nonetheless noteworthy, as it paved the way for future generations of Jewish life in New Orleans.
Synagogue leadership
Some of the rabbis to lead the congregation were considered the greatest rabbis in their era. Among them:
