Daniel Block

Daniel Block ( – 1853) was a Jewish leader who founded the B'nai B'rith synagogue in St. Louis, Missouri. He lived for only four years in the United States but he made important contributions on the culture of the St. Louis Jewish community to which he belonged. Between his arrival in about 1848, and his death in 1853, he contributed greatly to the organization and development of B'nai El congregation.

Early life

Daniel Block was probably born in Bohemia in or around 1802 but no birth record has been located. In the 1850 United States City of St. Louis Census he stated his profession as butcher and his birthplace as Germany.

The 1850 census entry for his wife Sarah Wedeles and his children stated they were born in Germany. At this time the family lived in Ward 1 of the City of St. Louis, close to the Mississippi River and south of the Eads Bridge.

Later US census entries for his wife and children stated that they were born in Bohemia. Many Block family members went to St. Louis in the early 19th century from Bohemia, then a part of the Austrian Empire. Most came from Švihov, Klatovy District, in German Schwihau. This is a small town about 70 miles South West of Prague in the Klatovy region.

Synagogue development Daniel Block did have a well-known and documented involvement in the founding in 1849 of synagogue B'nai B'rith. His actions were described in some detail in Zion in the Valley. This congregation was known as the "Bohemian shul" as it was founded by German speaking Bohemian Jews who lived in the southern part of St. Louis.

Daniel Block Tombstone Mt. Sinai Cemetery St. Louis Missouri.

Daniel Block's children were Heinrich, Jacob, Dora (born as Veronika), and Abraham.