Joseph Jonas

Joseph Jonas (1792–1869) was by his own account the first Jew to settle in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He was an English-born peddler, who arrived from Philadelphia on March 8, 1817. He became a successful watchmaker and silversmith and lived on Broadway between Fifth Street and Harrison. Jonas, like most early Jews, settled in downtown Cincinnati.

Jonas wrote letters describing the opportunities that existed in the Ohio River valley. This convinced other Jews to join him including two younger brothers. In 1821, Morris Moses and Jonas, two of Cincinnati's then six Jews, purchased a lot from Nicholas Longworth for $75.00, to found the Old Jewish Cemetery.

By 1824 there were enough Jewish residents to fulfill the requirement of ten adult males so that regular religious services could be held, and the first Jewish congregation beyond the Allegheny Mountains was established. This congregation became the Rockdale Temple. Most of the early Jews were British.