Simonhoff family papers

Jacob J. Simonhoff (1862-1950), native of Lithuania, was an authority on Jewish religious music and composed a variety of liturgical music. He immigrated to the United States in 1893 and served as the first cantor of Ahavas Achim Synagogue in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1901, Simonhoff was hired as cantor of Brith Sholom in Charleston, South Carolina, and remained in the position until moving to New York in 1922. There he served Congregation Talmud Torah Moses before retiring to Miami Beach, Florida, in 1932.

Harry Simonhoff (1890-1966), son of Jacob J. and Jenny Simonhoff, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Charleston in 1917. He earned a law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1919 and completed a special studies program at the Harvard University Law School in 1920. After his studies, Simonhoff returned to Charleston to begin his private law practice. From 1921 to 1922, he served two terms as a representative in the South Carolina State Legislature. Harry Simonhoff was also a published author; his works include Under Strange Skies (1953), The Chosen One (1964), Saga of American Jewry, 1865-1914 (1959), and Tolerance in Carolina in 1697 (1966). His last work, And Abram Journeyed (1967), was published after his death.

Lillian C. Simonhoff (1901-1984), wife of Jacob J. Simonhoff's second son Samuel, was born in the state of Georgia, and moved to Charleston as a teenager. Samuel and Lillian were wed in 1925. The couple had four children: Joy Epstein (1926- ), Elaine Ehrenkranz (1930-2008), Michael Simonhoff (1937- ), and Sherna Simonhoff Brody (1942- ). Samuel Simonhoff (1896-1980) was born in Atlanta, Georgia. After completing high school, Simonhoff served for one year in the United States Army. He then attended the College of Charleston on a scholarship and in 1921 received a law degree from the University of South Carolina.