 In 1905 , Beth Israel purchased the home of New Orleans ' former mayor Joseph A. Shakspeare at 1610 Carondelet Street . Funds for the new acquisition came from both the Orthodox and Reform communities of New Orleans . After remodeling the building , the congregation began holding services there , in time for the 1906 High Holy Days . Membership grew quickly ; by 1910 Beth Israel was the second @-@ largest Jewish congregation in the city , with 180 member families , and by 1914 that number had grown to 250 families . By 1918 , however , membership had fallen to 175 families . That year the synagogue 's income was $ 6 @,@ 000 ( today $ 94 @,@ 000 ) . 
