Zion's Local Post: The Story of Zion's Local Post

The Story of Zion's Local Post

Charleston, South Carolina

by

Patrick C. Labbe, RN MSN

Zion’s Local Post is located in Charleston South Carolina and the mission is to celebrate and commemorate Jewish life in Charleston as well as South Carolina as a whole.

The first issue featured the a Star of David and was non-denominated. Issued on February 1, 2009.

The second issue was Defender of Israel and was also non-denominated. Issued on February 1, 2009 . It also featured the S’hma.

The next issue was a set issued on February 15, 2009, called Celebrating Charleston’s Jewish Community, it featured the three historic Jewish Synagogues in Charleston as well the establishment of Jewish life in the City of Charleston. This set was denominated at 42 cents.

On February 15, 2009, the post honored Ralph Phillips, the President of the Local Post Collectors Society. This issue was denominated at 42 cents.

An issue was released on February 28, 2009, celebrating Purim 2009. Denominated at 42 cents it will be the first of many issues celebrating Jewish Holidays.

In March, issues honored Gerald Gutkin, a prominent member of Charleston's Jewish community, who passed away March 7, 2009 and Rabbi Anthony D. Holz of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim congregation in Charleston. Both issues were issued March 16, 2009 and were not denominated.

March 28th, 2009 the Pesach (Passover) issue featured a block of four themes for Pesach. Note the Pesach issue containing the Torah scroll has a printing error stating Zio's Local Post instead of Zion's Local Post. It was decided not to correct the printing error and let the issue remain as is.

On April 1st, 2009 Zion's Local Post issued the Holocaust Remembrance Day issue, denominated at $1.00 proceeds from any sales of the issue will go to the National Holocaust Museum. The issue was dated wrong. So it was re-issued on April 5th, 2009 with the proper date and a slight change to the design.

On April 14th, 2009 The Honoring South Carolina's Jewish History series was issued. The series of 6 featured Andrew Jackson Moses a prominent 19th century member of the South Carolina Jewish Community, the emblem of the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina (this issue was re-released on May 4th in sheets of ten with self-adhesive making it the first gummed issue), Beth Israel Congregation in Beaufort, Temple Emanu-El in Myrtle Beach, Beth Israel in Florence and Congregation Sinai in Sumter. None of the issue was denominated.

On April 28th, 2009 two new issues for Israel Memorial Day were issued and then 2 new issues for Israel Independence Day were issued on April 29th. All four were non-denominated.

On May 4, 2009, the second set called Celebrating Charleston’s Jewish Community. It featured Rabbi Anthony Holz of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (at the Holocaust Memorial Celebration holding the Torah Scroll), Timothy Carle a member of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim's choir, a group of supporters of Israel including Mike Ruckes a US Senate candidate and a Pesach gathering this past Pesach. All four are non-denominated.

On May 7th, 2009 Shavout (May 29) was commemorated with four designs. All were not denominated and it was issued in both ungummed and self adhesive. All four designs were non-denominated.

On May 20th, 2009 the Honoring South Carolina's Jewish history was continued with the release of a design featuring the Coming St. Cemetery in Charleston, the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in America. The issue was not denominated.

On May 22nd, 2009 Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day), the post issued a commemorative, this issue was self-adhesive issued in sheets of 10 and non-denominated.

On May 29th, 2009 a set of five was issued Celebrating Stamp Collecting. The five featured various philatelic designs: the first stamp of Israel, the 1930 Charleston stamp, the 2002 Greetings from South Carolina stamp, the logo of the Local Post Collectors Society and a combination design of all four motifs. Issued self-adhesive and non-denominated.

On June 3, 2009, the issue celebrating Charleston's Jewish Community which featured the inside of the original Kahal Kodosh Beth Elohim synagogue was redesigned and reissued. It was self-adhesive and non-denominated and featured the wording: "The Jewish community of Charleston dates back to at least 1695 and in colonial times was the largest Jewish community in the country.

On June 6th, 2009, the Defender of Israel issue was re-designed and re- issued. As on the first issue it was non-denominated. It was issued in a sheet of 30 1 x 2 inches and featured the S’hma.

On June 8th, 2009, Zion's Local Post issued it's first issue without a Jewish theme. In celebration of the South Carolina Stingrays, Charleston's ECHL hockey team, winning the 2009 ECHL Championship Kelly Cup. Issued in sheets of ten self-adhesive and non-denominated.

On June 15th, 2009, an issue Celebrating The Charleston Battery (USL Soccer Team) was issued in self-adhesive sheets of ten. The issue was the second non-Jewish themed issue and also the second issue celebrating the Charleston professional sports teams, it was not denominated.

On June 15th, 2009, an issue Celebrating The Charleston Riverdogs (South Atlantic League Class A Baseball team) was issued in self-adhesive sheets of ten. The issue was the third non-Jewish themed issue and also the third issue celebrating the Charleston professional sports teams, it was not denominated.

On June 19th, 2009, the issue Celebrating The Charleston Battery (USL Soccer Team) was redesigned with a slightly different layout and a green background. It was issued in self-adhesive sheets of ten, it was not denominated.

On July 3rd, 2009, an issue honoring one of Charleston's great fraternal organizations: Knights of Pythias was issued in self-adhesive sheets of 10. The issue was non-denominated.

On July 5th, 2009, 4 designs were released Honoring South Carolina's Freemasons: The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons, The Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction, the Grand York Rite Bodies and the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge Prince Hall. The design was issued 10 to a self-adhesive sheet and non-denominated.

On July 10th, 2009 an issue was released that featured Charleston's Historic Synagogues. Featured left to right were the three synagogues in Charleston: Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (Reform), Brith Shalom Beth Israel (Orthodox) and Synagogue Emanuel (Conservative). The issue was self-adhesive and issued in sheets of 30.

On July 18th, 2009 a memorial issue was released in honor of Harold Jacobs, President Emeritus of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim who died on July 14th. It was issued in sheets of 30 as a non-denominated self adhesive.

On August 24th, 2009 the Boston Red Sox's Moe Berg (1929-1972) was featured on an issue. The issue was self-adhesive, non-denominated and issued in sheets of 30.

On September 3rd, 2009 the Detroit Tigers Hank Greenberg was featured on an issue. The issue was self-adhesive, non-denominated and issued in sheets of 30.

Also on September 3rd, 2009 the late United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the lion of the Senate was honored. The issue was self-adhesive, non-denominated and issued in sheets of 30.

On September 14th, 2009 Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year)commemorative was issued. The issue was self-adhesive, non-denominated and issued in sheets of 30.

On September 21st, 2009 a Yom Kippur commemorative was issued.  The issue was self-adhesive, non-denominated and issued in sheets of 30.

On November 14th, 2009 three Chanukah stamps were issued. While all three featured Menorahs, one issue featured a unique Menorah by Charleston Jewish artist Jeanne Drucker incorporating the theme of Charleston's famous Rainbow Row. All three issues were non-denominated and issued in self adhesive sheets of 30.

On December 14th, 2009 four Chanukah stamps were issued featuring scenes from the Summerville, SC Chavurah's Chanukah gathering. Summerville is suburb of Charleston. The stamps were issued in blocks of 4 (two blocks per page). The issue was non-denominated and self-adhesive.

On January 4th, 2010 Tu B'Shevat (New Year for Trees) was commerated with a stamp issued in sheets of 8, non-denominated and self adhesive.

On January 25th, 2010 a stamp was issued for World Local Post Day feturing common dating and Jewish dating, issued in sheets of 8, non-denominated and self adhesive.

On February 15th, 2010 a stamp was issued for Purim 5770 (February 28th, 2010), issued in sheets of 8, non-denominated and self adhesive.

On April 11th, 2010 a stamp was issued for Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), issued in sheets of 8, non-denominated and self-adhesive.

On April 19th, 2010 two issues were released: Yom Hazikaron 5770 and Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Memorial Day and Israel Independence Day) using the 2009 design slightly updated. Issued in sheets of 8, non-denominated and self adhesive.

On July 8th, 2010 an issue was released welcoming Rabbi Stephanie Alexander, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim's new Rabbi. Issued in sheets of 8 self-adhesive.

On July 10th, 2010, the post issued 5 stamps for 200 years of Reform Judaism: Jacobstemple, Seesen Germany the birthplace of Reform Judaism; Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, Charleston SC the birthplace of Reform Judaism in the United States; Rabbi Abraham Geiger, Reform Judaism Pioneer (1810-1874), Rabbi Issac Mayer Wise, Reform Judaism Pioneer in America and Founder of Hebrew Union College; and finally 1875 Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati Ohio. Issued in self adhesive sheets of 8.

On August 27th, 2010 the Post released it's Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) Issued in self adhesive sheets of 10.

On September 10th, 2010 a Special S/S was issued for Stamp Collecting Month (October 2010). The sheet measured 8.5" by 11" and was ungummed. Also issued in smaller format with 4 to a sheet also ungummed.

On September 19th, 2010 4 stamps and two labels with various stamp designs were issued for Stamp Collecting Month (October 2010). Issued in self-adhesive format.

On September 20th, 2010 the issues for Stamp Collecting Month were reissued with corrected date.

On November 8th, 2010 4 stamps were issued for Hanukkah 2010. Issued 10 to a sheet in self adhesive format.

On November 22nd, 2010 Celebrate Jewish Learning and Education was issued in sheets of 30 self-adhesive.

On November 30th, 2010 Holiday Greetings honoring Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas was issued in sheets of 10 self adhesive.

On December 3rd, 2010, Season's Greetings was issued as a joint issue between Zion's Local Post, Kinja Local Post and Summerville Local Post. Issued in sheets of 2 self adhesive.

On January 3rd, 2011, an issue celebrating T'B Shvat 5771 was issued in sheets of 6 self adhesive.

On January 27th, 2011 an issue marking World Local Post Day was issued in sheets of 10, non-gummed.

On March 2nd, 2011 two issues for the upcoming Jewish Holidays were released: Purim (March 20th) and Passover (April 19th). Issued in sheets of 10, self adhesive.

On March 7th, 2011 an issue was released for Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Rememberance Day) on May 1, 2011 (Nisan 27, 5771)

On July 18th, 2011 a joint issue with New York Local Post celebrating the civil rights and the legalizatioin of Gay Marriage in New York state. Issued in self-adhesive sheets of 10.

On September 5th, 2011 the High Holy Days 5772 was issued in sheets of 10, featuring Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur and the Days of Awe. The issue was self adhesive.

On October 17th, 2011 the 73rd Anniversary of Kristallnacht was commemorated. Issued in sheets of 10, self adhesive.

On November 26th, 2011 the 262nd Anniversary of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, the oldest Reform congregation in the United States was commemerated. Issued in sheets of 10 self-adhesive.

On December 12th, 2011 a joint issue with Summerville Local Post Celebrate Fishing pictured the Ravenal Bridge in Charleston SC the largest cable suspended bridge in North America.Issued in sheets of 30 self-adhesive.

On January 1st, a joint issue with Summerville Local Post for World Local Post Day highlighting the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens.