A history of the Oheb Zedek Congregation of Pottsville was originally published in the Pottsville Republican, July 10-11, 1934. It was reprinted in 1936 in Joseph H. Zerbey, History of Pottsville and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2, p. 791-796.
The above photograph was published in the Pottsville Republican in 1925.
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The Oheb Zedeck congregation dates back more than a quarter of a century after this community was incorporated as a borough It was 78 years ago, in the month of October, 1856, that the Jewish residents of Pottsville organized themselves into a congregation.
It was a group of ten recently immigrated German Jews who decided to meet for the purpose of religious worship. Application was made for a charter which was granted under the name of the “Oheb Zedeck Congregation.”
The first officers were: Emanuel Strouse, President; and Jacob Schloss, Vice President. The original charter members comprised: Emanuel Strouse, Jacob Schloss, Jacob Greenwald, Abraham Loeb, Abram Reiff, Samuel Isberger, L. Harris, M. Greenwald, Emanuel Abrahams.
The congregation is now served by the following officers: Harry Diamond, President; H. L. Eber, Vice President; Eugene Eichenbaum, Recording Secretary; N. Antokolitz, Financial Secretary; Samuel March, Treasurer; Abe Friedman, Harry Weiner, J. S. Rosensweig, H. Greenfield, Roy Freedline, A. Goldbert and I. Rudnick, Trustees; Rabbi Morris G. Silk; Cantor, Rev. Lewis Rosen; Hebrew Teacher, H. Leavitt.
Having recognized the necessity of absolute unity, ground was procured for a cemetery on North Centre Street at the top of the turnpike. The next step was to arrange for meetings. These were conducted in the respective homes of the founders of the new congregation. For three years they continued to worship, in this manner, on every Friday night and Saturday morning.
Then they were able to rent the old Thompson Hall for $300 per year. Rabbi Isaac Straus was installed as the initial spiritual guide of the little flock. This Rabbi provided the congregation with the first Sefer Thorah or Holy Book.
By 1861, there were 20 families embraced by the congregation. When President Abraham Lincoln issued his call for volunteers, during that year, at the outbreak of the Civil War, Abe Kuhn asked for men, from the little congregation to enlist for service and five responded, were accepted and gave active service throughout the internecine strife.
Perusal of the early books, recording the minutes of the meetings of the founders of the congregation, furnished through the courtesy of the committee which prepared the historical facts used in the booklet issued in connection with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the congregation, during 1926 or the year 5687, according to ancient Jewish reckoning, shows that it was customary for a change of officers every few months thus granting all the privilege of, at some time, sharing in governing the affairs of the congregation.
During the Civil War and after the end of that strife, in 1865, the members of the Pottsville congregation gave aid, through special committees, to alleviate the sufferings of wounded by placing them in institutions and in many other ways. They also aided in giving financial assistance. Everything that they took up, in this connection, was handled in a thorough manner.
Such was the appreciation shown for their endeavors that it was the subject of favorable comment by Governor Pollack.
Mayor Henry of Philadelphia forwarded the following communication to Rabbi Oppenheim, under date of June 9, 1865, voicing further appreciation:
Philadelphia, June 9, 1865
My Dear Reverend Oppenheim:
I had the pleasure of this day receiving from you, by the Mayor of our city, the sum of $255.75, being the amount of your subscription to the United States Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home of Pennsylvania for which I return to you our thanks.
[Signed]
H. MARTIN, Secretary
Rabbi Oppenheim’s advent to Pottsville is not shown by any available records. However, he was buried in the Oheb Zedek Cemetery. He was held in such high esteem that during his funeral, all business places, regardless of creeds, were closed.
The records of the primitive congregation also refer to Vice President Jacobs, father of the late Mrs. Max Gellert, and of the late Louis Jacobs, as active in serving the congregation.
Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. David Einhorn and Rev. Dr. Isaac M. Wise, there came a nation-side split in Jewish congregations following their suggestions for a new ritual for services in the synagogues. in Pottsville, as elsewhere, the rift appeared and the reform element won. This schism occurred in 1868 and, two years later, the Pottsville congregation of 20 members purchased a plot of ground which is the site of the present synagogue, on Arch, then known as Callowhill Street, near Third Street. The ground cost the congregation $7,000.
Purchased a Building
In 1875 there was purchased from the Evangelical Association, a frame building, comprising two rooms. It was removed to the new site and was reconverted into the first synagogue. The building was at one time occupied by the Primitive Methodists. The little church was used for worship and meetings for a period of 18 years.
In the meantime, there having been a continuous influx of immigrants from Russia and Poland, between 1870 and 1888, they formed congregations for orthodox worship, one of them, the Kenezzes Israel group who met in a building, on West Market Street, above Tenth Street, and the other on Eleventh Street. Rabbi Moses Phillips served the latter congregation for five years, was called to other fields and then recalled for another pastorate of five years. He was the head and senior member of the firm of the Phillips-Jones Company. Rabbi Phillips came from Suwalk, Poland, where he was born in 1844. He received his Rabbinical training, there, completing his studies at the age of 15. His family is credited with having done much for the Jewish people of Pottsville. His late son, Isaac L. Phillips, was instrumental, in his time, in accomplishing much in Jewish enterprise here, inaugurating many activities.
The congregation, which worshipped on West Arch Street, was served by Rabbis Isaac Strouse and N. Schlessinger, each having a tenure of three years. The Rev. Charles Austrian connected with the congregation the institution of a Hebrew and German school which was taught by him. He also established two beneficial societies, the Union Lodge, of the the Independent Order of B’nai B’rith and the Mountain City Lodge Free Sons of Israel.
About 1898, it was found impossible to continue to exist and progress without unity. Amalgamation was decided upon at a meeting in which Israel Gellert, Harris Rubinsky, Adolph Prince and Philip Yedinsky participated. Since that time there has been only one synagogue in Pottsville.
When the Spanish-American War broke out many of the young men of the Jewish race responded for service some of them sacrificing their lives to diseases contracted in that bried war.
Immigration continued to increase, many of the newcomers settling in and about Pottsville. The two rooms used for worship were inadequate. Under H. L. Eber, there was inaugurated a movement to erect a new synagogue. The officers associated with these activities were: H. L. Eber, President; H. Kamenetsky, Vice President; H. Diamond, Secretary; Charles Diamond, Assistant Secretary; H. Rubinsky, I. Gellert, J. Rothstein, I. Brenner, H. L. Rosenzweig and S. Bergstein, Trustees; Philip Yedinsky, Charles Diamond, M. Levy and L. Refowich, Soliciting Committee.
Plan to Erect New Synagogue
The Oheb Zedek congregation planned to erect a new synagogue, on the West Arch Street site, on October 12, 1911. No action was taken on the matter, however, until some time later. It was on May 4, 1913, at a meeting of the congregation that the final decision was made to go ahead with the erection of a synagogue.
The full finance committee appointed was: Philip Yedinsky, J. H. Rothstein, C. Diamond, S. Rosenzweig, H. L. Eber, E. Duell and I. Refowich.
The cornerstone of the temple of worship was laid on Sunday afternoon, December 28 [1913]. H. Rubinsky formally laid the stone and Jacob Rothstein made the opening address. Rabbi Neuman, of Philadelphia, delivered an impressive sermon.
It was on Sunday, August 30th, 1914, that the new synagogue was dedicated. The members of the congregation met in the Y. M. H. A. rooms at 1:45 o’clock in the afternoon and marched in a body to the new place of worship.
H. L. Eber, president of the congregation, delivered the address of welcome. He was succeeded by Jacob Rothstein. Then Rev. Dr. Morais, of New York City, spoke in English and Rev. Masliansky of the same city, addressed the congregation in the Hebrew tongue. The inspiring singing on the occasion was in charge of Rabbi N. D. Newhard, of the local congregation.
The new synagogue cost $25,000. The façade is of mottled grey pressed brick.
A tablet,, on the wall, at the entrance to the Synagogue, of white marble, carries the names of the officers, trusteed of the congregation and the building committee. Two of the promoters of the new place of worship, Harris Rubinsky and Israel Rubinsky, died before they saw the completion of the synagogue. There are inscribed on the tablet: H. L. Eber, President; H. Diamond, Secretary; M. Refowich, E. Deull, M. Rothstein, Officers of the Congregation; H. Rubinsky, Chairman; I. Gellert; J. Rothstein; I. B. Brenner; H. L. Rosenzweig; S. Bergstein, Building Committee; Philip Yedinsky, Chairman, C. Diamond, L. Refowich, M. Levy and J. Wiener, Soliciting Committee.
Served in World War
In 1913 many youths of the congregation responded to the call of President Woodrow Wilson for service in the World War. The following constitute the honor list: Sol Spicker; Harry Cohen; Harry Holstein; Harry J. Weiner; Moses Eber; Ben Eber; Dr. Alfred Bergstein; Milton Bergstein; Emanuel Yedinsky; Louis Rosenzweig; Leo Lefkowitz; Abe Lefkowitz; Jacob Weiner; Louis Seaman; Abe Gittleman; Jacob Cohen; Louis Flatto; and Jacob Gable.
In 1918, the Pottsville congregation participated in the campaign instituted by the Jewish Distribution Committee of New York City, to aid the boys who had seen service overseas and also for the war sufferers. The local committee comprised: M. Spicker, Chairman; Jacob Gellert, Secretary; and S. S. Weiss, Treasurer. The movement, in this city, resulted in there being raised $9,000. The same committee carried the canvass into Shenandoah, Tamaqua and Ashland, their zeal and hard work resulted in a total of $17,000 being raise for the cause in Schuylkill County.
H. Diamond acted as marshal of the Jewish contingent which was represented in the Armistice Parade, marking the close of the World War. from the local Hebrew men, who enlisted for the preservation of democracy, Sol Spicker was killed overseas and Harry Cohen, and enlisted man died at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Cohen’s body was among the first brought home to Schuylkill County, and it was buried in Pottsville, with full military honors. The body of Spicker lies among the poppies of France “over there.”
On June 14, 1920, the local congregation conducted an inspiring pageant in celebration of the Balfour Declaration restoring to the Hebrews their fatherland of Palestine. About 1,000 local Jews, with Pottsville’s Third Brigade Band, followed by contingents representing Hazleton, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Mt. Carmel, Coaldale and Lansford, marched in a great demonstration,
Miss E. Chinitz impersonated “America”; Miss Diamond typified the Jewish nation; Misses Levy, Kamenetsky and Antokolitz symbolized England, France and Italy, respectively. The Jewish flag was carried for the first time, in the history of the city.
After the parade, a mass meeting was conducted in the synagogue. The speakers were: Rabbis Ezralowitz, of New York City; Rabbi Gobba, of Philadelphia; Pottsville’s first Mayor, F. Pierce Mortimer, and Prof. B. S. Simonds. Among others who delivered addresses were: Judges H. O. Bechtel and R. H. Koch.
During Benjamin Rosenson‘s regime as head of the local congregation, for the first time in the history of the congregation, girls were confirmed. The Rabbi’s lamented death occurred on December 4, 1921. Rabbi Hass, of Reading, in charge of the congregation at Harrisburg, delivered the funeral oration.
Mortgage Was Burned
During 1921 the congregation, under S. Bergstein, held a bazaar in the Armory to raise $10,000 in order to permit the burning of the mortgage on the Oheb Zedek synagogue. By untiring zeal on the part of Louis Holstein, General Chairman; Milton Lilienthal, General secretary; and Harry Weiner, General Treasurer; aided by Trustees Harry Diamond; Charles Diamond; Joseph Harrison; Jacob Refowich, Morris Spicker, Louis Marks, Max Lewin, Jacob Gable and Samuel Seaman, also all the women of the congregation, the project being splendidly supported by the general public, the feat was accomplished. Just prior to the close of a jubilee celebration, at the State Armory, G. Cohen, of West End Avenue, burned the mortgage at the synagogue.
Led by Louis Holstein, President, the membership of the congregation showed splendid increase. Additions and alterations were continually made to the temple of worship. H. Diamond, L. Holstein, I. Chinitz, J. Lightstone, H. L. Eber, M. Spicker, L. Refowich, H. Weiner, S. Bergstein, L. Eber, J. Rosenzweig and I. Weiner rebuilt the vestry rooms to suitably house the Hebrew school and Community Center. The cemetery was improved and beautified under the direction of J. Lightstone.
It was on August 15, 1925, that Rabbi Herman J. Beck, of Sunbury, was elected spiritual advisor for the congregation. He organized the Ein Jacob and Mishnayotch Clubs. Then came the reorganization of the Sunday School and seven teachers were elected. The Ladies’ Aid Society became one of the bulwarks of the congregation.
L. Mirkin, principal of the Hebrew School, reorganized junior congregational work. The School consist of four classes and members of the oldest class are able to recite from the Prophets. Charles Diamond was also a capable executive of the Hebrew School. His death occurred on January 22, 1922, at the age of 41 years.
The Hebrew School is conducted by a board of education appointed by the president of the synagogue. J. Rosenzweig, Chairman of the Board of Education, contributed much to make the Hebrew School a successful institution.
Rabbi Beck solved the financial question, after Seder services were inaugurated by him, organizing a community budget by which method $21,000 was raised and the congregation given a sound financial basis.
Personal contributions by Sol Weiss, William Weiss, S. S. Weiss Jr., Sol Prince, Isadore Prince, and Jacob Zimmerman canceled the debt incurred by the altering additions made to the synagogue. The the memory of S. S. Weiss, some time after his untimely death, there was dedicated a window in the synagogue.
The Rev. A. Chaseman, who served as Chason Mohel, gave valuable duty as cantor.
On the evening of February 18, 1929, the new Community Center was formally dedicated and the Purim Ball was conducted there.
Rabbi Morris G. Silk started his efficient service in charge of the Oheb Zedeck congregation on September 26, 1929.
During recent years, there was interest taken in the Boy Scouts movement which resulted in the organization of a strong Troop, from among the youths of the congregation. It is officered by: Jack Goldberg, Scoutmaster; Sonny Minker, Assistant Scoutmaster; Eugene E. Eichenbaum, Committee Troop Chairman; Dr. Leon Miller; Rabbi Morris G. Silk, Harry Tapper, Saul Prince and Nat D. Tuckerman, Members of Scouts’ Committee.
Active Organizations
Aiding in the work of the congregation, the following organizations served throughout most of the long period of history of the Hebrews in this community: Sisterhood, Women’s Council, Hadassah, Ladies’ Benevolent Aid Society, and Chevrah Kadisha, and in recent years, the Boy Scouts.
It was in 1909 that the Oheb Zedeck Sisterhood was organized….
The Ezras Achim Lodge sprang into existence on September 23, 1906….
The Hadassah was instituted by Mrs. A. Slomko, of New York City on April 29, 1923….
The Ladies Benevolent Society dates its origin back to 1911, being later known as the Ladies’ Auxilliary….
Union Lodge No. 124 Order of B’nai B’rith had an existence of more than half a century. Its membership dwindled to a single member. Then on January 13, 1915, it was revived…
The Jewish Women’s Council was organized on January 15, 1915….
All of the Jewish organizations of Pottsville, on May 5, 1918, established the Zionist District….
After the death of Rabbi Rosenson, on December 4, 1921… a committee was named, with 18 members, to look after the cemetery (Chevrah Kadisho) of the congregation….
The Y. M. H. A. was organized, in 1897…. This organized fostered the Sunday School movement. It was on August 16, 1923, that a more successful organization was effected….
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