The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle from Milwaukee, Wisconsin • Page 59

September 28, 1951 HE WISCONSIN JEWISH CHRONICLE UBcitlla Israel lis ILairgesil Rose Volper. Mrs. Joe Cohen and Mrs. Abe L. Reitman were the respective instructors.

Mr. Abe L. Reitman was the Administrative Chairman of this organization as well as being active in other functions of the congregation. For the past sixteen years. Sam H.

Jacobson has been actively engaged in accurately recording the names of deceased members and constituents on a permanent Memorial Tablet. The Tablet is equipped with electric outlets near each name so that on every Yar Zeit and Yizkor memorial service the names and memories of the departed glow brilliantly out of the past into the present. Sunday School classes begin each year with a Succoth Party held in our Succoth and conclude with confirmation on Shevuoth. Classes are held every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

The children participate in the events of all holidays. Chanukah and Purim plays are given. Masquerades are held, children exchange gifts, and the spirit of the Holiday is infused into their young minds. Notable in the school activity is the Passover Seder. Songs are taught in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English.

Among other subjects taught, Jew- Mourners and those having Yar Zeit are thus given the chance of saying Kaddish after the conclusion of each paragraph. This group also prays for the convalescence of those seriously ill or for any calamity when it chances to come. Active members of this group are: M. Lubow. H.

Becker. I. Anschel, J. Paler, D. Cohn, M.

Lisberg, G. Pckofsky, I. Himmelreich, M. Sil-berg and B. Pollack.

The Chevra Chai Odom meets daily after the morning services to review a chapter of the Hago-doh of the Talmud (Stories of the Talmud) and the Chevra Medrash devotes a number of hours to the study of the Medrash pertaining to the portion of the week. The Eva Sisters is the women's auxiliary of the Congregation. This Sisterhood has always been part and parcel of the synagogue, working diligently and enthusiastically to maintain the dignity and reputation of so noble an institution. its ablest leaders. He was succeeded by I.

Cohen. It was largely due to the energetic work of Mr. Cohen that the doors of Beth Israel were kept open during the trying years of depression, when many institutions were forced out of existence. Mr. Cohen retained the presidency for 13 years, to be succeeded by Oscar Willis.

Mr. Willis was succeeded by Sam H. Jacob-son, who is president today. Rabbi Solomon Isaac Scheinfeld, who served Beth Israel for forty years, was the most revered and respected Orthodox figure in the history of Wisconsin's Jewry. Named Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel, he also headed the city's Orthodox community.

Nationally, he was known for his scholastic contributions in Hebrew on ethical and cultural subjects. Among the most noted of his works are, "Way Marks in the Path of Life," "The Superman," "The Lying World," and "Words IN 1884. A NUMBER of families of strict Orthodox inclinations desiring to preserve their Orthodox heritage united to establish a permanent Orthodox Congregation, and founded, in a building on Market S'reet. Beth Israel Congregation, now the largest Orthodox Jewish Congregation in the state of Wisconsin. Prominent among the founders were the following men: Jacob Rosenberg, Jacob Click, (who also served as the Shochet and Cantor) Dave Kaufman, Chaim Kaufman, Rubin Rappaport, Berman Koenig, H.

C. Cohen. Yaskulsky, Bratt, Stark. Wolff and Brill. For the High Holidays, however, the facilities of the Market street building were inadequate for the growing community, so its members detmed it necessary to rent a hall on Third and Prairie streets for these services.

For two years, the Synagogue on Market street flourished. At the end of that time the Congregation moved to larger quarters on Third and Cherry streets, and amalgamated with the Moses Mon-tefiore Congregation. This organization bought the community's first burial ground, the first Jewish Orthodox organization in Milwaukee to be concerned with the burial of the dead. After six years of apparent activity, the members bought a new House of Worship on Fifth street, and in 1893 the Congregation extended its activities to include charitable and educational as well as strictly religious programs. Can -s Ic-tf 1 rV rePnSl1 'to 1- ft an KeaUy3 SZ JSS Tvete 229 Si' A.

Hi'i' "Vji. rfJ Of t' ML! Si 8 rlTr 0 KM r.c wj tor Licbcrman was engaged at a $100.00 monthly salary to act as teacher for the Hebrew School; he was also retained to preach in 0 try English on the High Holidays so that the young men of the Con gregation could understand ar.d appreciate the Orthodox Services. Officers of the Congregation at that time were Sam Margoles, president; Jacob Luloshnick, vice-president; Lein Saltzman, secretary; H. C. Cohen, financial secretary; and A.

A. Goldman, One of the first acts of the group of officers was to purchase the Officers and trustees of Congregation Beth Israel are shown above in a recently posed picture. They are, front row, (left to right): Phil Rlankstein, recording secretary; Joe Gould, financial secretary: David Siegel, treasurer; Sam II. Jaeobfton, president; Rabbi Harold Baumrind; Abe Shlensky, vice-president: and Oscar Willis, superintendent of Second Home Cemetery. Back row, (left to right): Isador Anschel, sexton; Can tor Moses Serensen; Aaron Weiss, trustee; Joe Jacobson.

assistant superintendent of Second Home Cemetery: Cecil J. Meisel, trustee; Harry Blankstein. trustee; Ben Rogatz, trustee; Joseph llansher. trustee; Phil Shapiro, board member; Meyer Lisberg, trustee; and Max Zubatsky, trustee. Other officers not on picture are: Louis Rotter and Carl Schulman, trustees.

of the Wise." His memory will ever be indelibly inscribed in the hearts of all Milwaukee Jewry. He departed from this world on April 24. 1943. In 1932, Rabbi Charles Rubinstein was engaged as associate Rabbi and Cantor. He served the synagogue for seven years.

The High Holiday English services and the Sunday School has their inception during the term of Rabbi Rubinstein's leadership. RABBI HAROLD BAUMRIND was engaged as Rabbi in the fall Presidents since its inception are the following: Mmes. Ch. P. Shapiro.

Bertha Rubinsky, Sonia Feder. Blumcnfeld. Sarah Jacob-son, A. D. Barnet.

Clara Feinberg. Oscar Willis, and Geo. Glicksman, who is president today. Moses Serensen is the able and devoted Cantor who has been with the Congregation for the past two years. Cantor Serensen.

who studied and taught music in Europe for many years, directs the Synagogue Choir. The choir performs on the High Holidays as well as on Passover, Shevuoth and Succoth. They also assist at all Friday evening services during the late Friday evening service season. The ohcir was formerly directed by Mr. Wm.

Kantrovitch who was with our synagogue in various official capacities for over thirty-seven years. 11 of 1939. During his term of leadership, membership almost tripled. It was through his efforts that or lease of their burial ground and to found thereon the present Second Home Cemetery. IN 1899.

MANY changes were brought into existence. Rev. S. Maslansky, an outstanding Jewish orator, was invited to this community as a guest speaker. Electricity was installed as a means of illumination.

Rev. S. Cantor was engaged as cantor at a yearly salary of $600 00. He nls0 served as the community Shochet. On September 19, 11)01.

in a hall at 462 Fifth street, our Congregation was officially incorporated under the name of Congregation Beth Israel. Records show the following as the incorporators: Abraham Birn-tvium, John Brown, Sam Margolis, Abraham Kantrowitz, Abraham Fein. Ike Goldman. Leo Green-blatt, Elias Borker. Leo Reizer.

Harry Shapiro, Elias Vogel, Samuel Slomovitz, and Joseph Michel. In 1904, Alexander Mosher was elected president, and served for five years. Reverend Beibchick was appointed cantor in 1907, at an annual salary of $1.900 00. Mr. Rothstein was the sexton (sha-mos).

Recognition must be given to Reverend Cohen, who was the succeeding cantor, for reviving the "Chave Shvester," the sisterhood of the Congregation. It is primarily due to his efforts that the Sisterhood Is in existence today. I. J. Rosenberg was elected president of the Congregation in 1911, and served intermittently for 18 years, relinquishing the office in 1928.

The presidents serving the congregation up to 1928 are: Max Kaufman. Sol Fein, Sam Margoles, A. Mosher, Herman Shiomovitz, Isaac Barnet, and I. J. Rosenberg.

ganizations like the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, A.Z.A. of Beth Israel. Shofar Lodge of B'nai B'rith, the Sundav School, Chevras Thilim, ish History is primarily stressed in all classes. Present Chairman of the School is Mr. Carl Schulman.

The late Friday evening services have been in existence since the erection of the new synagogue. Many outside speakers have visited the pulpit to bring interesting messages to the many people who attend the services. In the early summer months the synagogue usually plans an outdoor picnic for its membership with games and prizes for children as well as grown-ups. It really is an old-fashioned get-together. THE PRESENT OFFICERS of Beth Israel are: Sam H.

Jacob-son, president: Abe Shlensky, vice-president, Phil Blankstein, recording secretary; Joseph Gould, financial secretary; David Siegel, treasurer; Max Zubatsky, Ben Rogatz. Cecil J. Meisel, Joe Hansher, Harry Blankstein, Louis Rotter, Meyer Lisberg, Aaron, Weiss, and Carl Schulman, trustees. In the sixty-five years of its history, Beth Israel has grown from a small group of devout pioneers, huddled together in a small hall on Market street, to a stalwart organization, the greatest Jewish Orthodox synagogue in the state, housed in a splendid, dignified building, with modern facilities for worship, education and cultural advancement. We express our gratitude to God who has granted us the privilege to witness the fruits of our labors and we beseech Him to bless the works of our hands in our future endeavors.

Mishnais, Gemora, and Eyn Yakob. which he instructs, have become recognized institutions of the Con IMPORTANT IN THE syna gregation. gogue is the inauguration of the The history of Beth Israel is in High Holiday English services. Because of the need for an Ortho extricably interwoven with the activity of its affiliated organizations. These organizations, directed by able leaders and composed of peo dox service that can easily be understood and followed by the younger generation who are not ple, sincere and devoted to the institution, have been instrumental so well-versed in the reading and translation of the Hebrew lan guage, the synagogue engages an Good Luck To the Chronicle Orthodox English- speaking Rabbi and Cantor who conduct services in English although adhering strictly to Orthodox tradition.

The Beth Israel Chapter of the Red Cross met during the war for the purpose of preparing surgical dressings and knitting articles of apparel for the Armed Forces as well as for Overseas Relief. The Chairman of that group was Mrs. an TI1E YEAR 1926 saw the con struction of the magnificent edi fice which now houses Congregation Beth Israel. It was erected on Teutonia avenue between Lee (now Meinccke avenue) and in the development of the enviable reputation Congregation Beth Israel has earned for itself in the community. The Chevra Kadisha is managed by considerate and compassionate men and women to whom it is a sacred honor and duty to attend the dead.

The orthodox treatment of dressing the deceased in the traditional shrouds and purification of the body is carried out to thte letter of the law. Prominent in the Chevra Kadisha at this time are Max Lubow, Jacob Paler. H. Becker. I.

Anschel, who serves the Congregation as Sexton (shamas). Max Zubatsky. Dr. A Wiener. M.

Lisberg, A. Dubin, M. Silberg. C. J.

Meisel. D. Cohn. J. Hansher.

H. Blankstein, and G. Pekofsky. The Chevra Mishnais meets daily between Mincha and Maa-rev. About 45 minutes daily are devoted to the study of the wis-dim of the sages of yore.

The Chevra Thilim is one of the oldest affiliated organizations. Every Sabbath morning and afternoon the Psalms of David arc read in the form of responsive reading. A Happy New Year to All! Wright streets at a cost of 00. The brick, steel and concrete building is modern in every detail, and houses a large assembly hail known as the Rose Room, meeting rooms. Blue room, class rooms, a Beth Hamidrash, where daily services are held and a synagogue proper with a seating capa city oi i.j.-u pews.

Eh Miller served as president In appreciation of the constructive work which the Jewish Chronicle is doing until 1929 when he was killed in an automobile accident His death deprived the synagogue of one of Congratulations! ON A JOB WELL DONE! Standard Electric Supply Co. "Everything Electrical" 1045 N. FIFTH STREET ALL KINDS OF PIPE Industrial -Heating and Power Supplies Valve Fittings -New and Old Rosenberg Iron Metal Company Milwaukee 1428 W. Pierce St. Milwaukee i v..