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Congregation Bnai Jacob – History from 1882-2010

1882 - B’nai Jacob was formed by a small group of refugees who banded together in New Haven after they fled pogroms in Russia. The newcomers found two established Reform congregations here, but they were Orthodox Jews and opposed to deviations from their traditional ways. They conducted services in a room in the Hoadley Building, now the site of the Connecticut Savings Bank. The first President was Gustave Rosenwasser. The first religious leader was Charles Bailey.

1883 - The Congregation purchased one-half acre of land for a cemetery in East Haven.

1885- The first synagogue building, at 105 Temple Street, was purchased at a cost of $3,000, with a down payment of $200.00.

1903 - Aaron Leaff was appointed Cantor, and later was engaged as the first regular, full-time dignitary.

1910 - The property at 347 George Street was acquired as the site for a new synagogue. A total of $575.00 was raised at the first campaign meeting. The President and leader of the building program was Bane Stock, and the Vice President was Jacob Greenberg.

1913 - The Ladies Aid Society of B’nai Jacob is organized with its first officers: President Mary Wagner, Vice President Kate Resnik, Secretary Ethel Resnikoff and Treasurer Esther Olinsky.

1917 - The first step to liberalize the synagogue ritual was taken when it was determined to permit women to sit with men, rather than restrict them to the balcony.

1920 - The Sunday School of B’nai Jacob was established by Rabbi Abraham Burstein, who was the first English-speaking rabbi to serve the congregation.

1921 - Leon Spitz became the Rabbi of B’nai Jacob, and under his tenure the vestry was partitioned into classrooms to provide facilities for the Jewish education of the children of members.

1924 – Charles Sudock was appointed Cantor, succeeding Abraham Freedman and Moshe Lev, who served for short periods.

1928 - Rabbi Louis Greenberg was called to lead the congregation. During his eighteen-year term, the first Hebrew School of B’nai Jacob was established. Under his influence B’nai Jacob became positively identified with the Conservative Movement and most of the members became Zionists. Yale University published his “The Jews in Russia” in 1944 and also conferred a Doctorate Degree upon him.

1929 - Mr. William Horowitz, a Yale student, is engaged as the first full-time Religious School principal.

1930 - Among the changes which identified B’nai Jacob as a Conservative Congregation was the decision to permit a mixed choir of men and women to sing at all services, rather than only men. Soon after this, an organ was installed in the balcony, but its use was limited to week-day programs. This restriction was relaxed gradually, until 1937 when the congregation accepted the organ music at Sabbath and High Holiday services.

1936 - The continuous growth of the synagogue and school led to the construction of an addition to the building, which increased the seating capacity of the synagogue and added eight classrooms plus the office.

1941- The Congregation Bulletin began to be issued on a weekly basis, following a few years of irregular and bi-weekly publications.

1947 - Stanley Rabinowitz was installed as Rabbi, following the death of Rabbi Greenberg. The congregation purchased a house at 529 Yale Avenue to be used as the permanent residence of its spiritual leader. The large increase in membership made an overflow service necessary, and the Westville Masonic Temple was used for this purpose on the High Holidays.

1948 - Under Rabbi Rabinowitz’s leadership, B’nai Jacob established the Nursery School (Gan Hayeled), instituted the Bat Mitzvah ceremony, and began a three-day-a-week religious school.

1949 - The Shem Tov Award for outstanding service to B’nai Jacob was established, and the first recipient was Bane Stock. Mrs. Batya Greenberg was named Religious School Principal.

1951- Changes in synagogue practices which were adopted to accommodate the increased membership included (1) establishing the double service for Kol Nidre, and (2) elimination of reserved seats on Rosh Hashanah.

1952 - A house at 6-8 High Street was purchased and converted to use as the new Religious School. Mr. Samuel Sloan becomes Education Director and the Religious School gains new momentum.

1953 - Joseph Tabachnik became the Rabbi, following the resignation of Rabbi Rabinowitz. Woolsey Hall was used for Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur services, permitting up to 2400 people to worship together. Rabbi Tabachnik organized the Sunday Morning Bible Class and the Post-Confirmation Class.

1954 - The double service for Rosh Hashanah was adopted and assigned seats were completely eliminated.

1957- Harry Barnett led a successful fundraising campaign for a new building to be built in Woodbridge.

1961- The new B’nai Jacob Synagogue is dedicated, and now the Congregation is in the beautiful countryside setting on Rimmon Road in Woodbridge. Chairmen of the Building Committee were Maurice Bailey and Max Teitelman. John J. Fox was President.

1962 - Dr. Arthur A. Chiel is named Rabbi to succeed Rabbi Tabachnik.

1967- Cantor Solomon Epstein comes to B’nai Jacob, succeeding his predecessors, Cantors Herbert Feder and Joseph Levine.

1972 - Milton Holiner’s retirement as Executive Director succeeded by Murray Knopf.

1974 - Women officially counted in the Minyan and called to the Torah.

1976 - Cantor Irving Sobel succeeds Cantor Solomon Epstein. Mrs. Peter S. Myers succeeds Mr. Murray Knopf as Executive Director.

1977 - Renewal of the Bane Stock Chapel through the generosity of Frank Stock.

1977 - Mr. Hyman Alpert retired after 32 years of dedicated service as our Shammas.

1977 - At the occasion of our 95th Anniversary celebration, there took place the mortgage burning ceremony.

1977- Susan Shapiro and Joya Marks were appointed Co-directors of Gan Hayeled succeeding Tamar Friedman.

1979- Mrs. Benjamin (Lillian) Fromkin, our organist for 36 years retired from dedicated service. Lillian Fromkin was succeeded by Mrs. Kenneth (Michale) Thalberg.

1980 - Cantor Joshua Konigsberg succeeded Cantor Sol Epstein.

1982- Mr. Samuel Sloan, our beloved Education Director of 32 years announced his retirement.

1982 - On May 14, 15, and 16 the Centennial Weekend Celebration was held. Rabbi Arthur A. Chiel

The History of B’nai Jacob – An Update

Congregation Bnai Jacob celebrates its 125th year with pride, pride in our beautiful renovated sanctuary and chapel settings for our inspirational services. We have an outstanding, award-winning religious school and nursery school, library and a beautiful gift shop. There are activities for all ages from the youngest child enjoying Ima, Abba v’Ani and Tot Shabbat to our seniors in Hazak. Opportunities for study and learning are many through adult education, Rabbi’s and Cantor’s classes, Shabbat Lunch and Learn, and the annual scholar-in-residence program. We enjoy exciting holiday celebrations and Shabbat dinners, and the innovative Mitzvah Day. B’nai Jacob offers daily minyans. The B’nai Jacob Players continue to entertain and amaze us with their excellent productions. Our Hesed committee serves the ill and the elderly. There are many ways for members to be active by serving on sitting committees. Through our many volunteers and generous supporters, B’nai Jacob continues to excel in all aspects of synagogue life and is an ongoing source of pride to its members and to the community.

1982 – 100-year celebration culminating in a weekend of special events and a gala ball.

1983 – The Torah restoration project.

1983 - The passing of Rabbi Arthur A. Chiel after 21 years of service to B’nai Jacob.

1985 – Rabbi Michael Menitoff becomes rabbi of B’nai Jacob.

1985 – Celebrating children’s birthdays innovated in the Friday night family service.

1985 – B’nai Jacob Pilgrimage trip to Israel.

1985 – Introduction of the Sim Shalom Siddur.

1986 – Kinneret Chiel is honored for her years of service to B’nai Jacob.

1986 – First annual Baccalaureate service for high school seniors.

1986 – Participation in community Shabbatonim weekend retreats for teenagers.

1987 – We celebrate our 105th year.

1987 – Rabbi Menitoff is appointed to serve on the State Ethics Commission.

1988 – The performance of Judas Maccabaeus with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and Chorale with Cantor Konigsberg and Jane Adler as soloists.

1989 – Theft of the silver religious items from the sanctuary and subsequent installation of the alarm system.

1989 – A benefit concert is held to help build Congregation Sinai after its fire.

1990 – Rhoda Myers becomes president of the National Association of Synagogue Administrators.

1990 – B’nai Jacob goes “smoke free.”

1991 – Twenty-five couples, originally married in the Soviet Union in civil ceremonies are remarried at B’nai Jacob in a Jewish ceremony followed by a wedding reception.

1992 – B’nai Jacob celebrates its 110th year.

1992 – BJ Players present “Fiddler on the Roof” with Cantor Konigsberg as Tevye.

1993 – B’nai Jacob forms the Social Action Committee.

1994 - The first annual “Man of the Year” dinner honors Mal Rashba.

1994 - We welcome Rabbi Richard L. Eisenberg following an interim term by Rabbi Herbert Weinberg.

1995- A Shabbat program called “Kiddush Kids” is started for 3-6 year-olds.

1996 - Rabbi Richard and Judy Eisenberg lead a congregation trip to Israel.

1997- We celebrate 115 years.

1997 - Jeanette Kuvin Oren creates “The Tree of Life” for the Torah Fund Campaign.

1997 - BJ Players present “Joseph and His Technicolor Dreamcoat” with Joseph’s coat designed by Jeanette Kuvin Oren.

1998 -B’nai Jacob commissions the writing of a new Sefer Torah.

1999 - BJ Players present “The Music Man.”

1999 - Chapel Torah covers donated by Jeanette Kuvin Oren in honor of daughter Sarah becoming a Bat Mitzvah.

2000 - The summer series features the “Women of B’nai Jacob.”

2001 - A Shem Tov Award goes for the first time to a sitting president, Barbara Wurtzel.

2001 - Sue Shapiro is honored for her years of service to the nursery school with a playground dedication.

2001 - The Chai Society is established.

2002 - The Boy’s Choir of Harlem sings at B’nai Jacob. The event is sponsored by Murray and Marvin Lender and chaired by Larry Hoffman and Pam Feinberg.

2002 - Gan Hayeled receives a national accreditation award.

2002 - A “Buy Israel” fair is held.

2002 - Lynn Ginzberg institutes the Madrichim program of teenage volunteers.

2003 - The congregation purchases the new “Etz Hayim” Torah books.

2003 - The religious school receives a national award for excellence from the United Synagogue.

2003 - Alan Wunsch becomes Executive Director.

2004 - Recognition of Rabbi Eisenberg’s 10th anniversary year at B’nai Jacob.

2004 - Rededication of the Alderman-Caplan Lounge.

2004 - BJ Players present “Children of Eden.”

2004 - Rabbi Eisenberg presents a lecture series on 350 years of Jews in America.

2004 - First annual “Snowbird” reunion luncheon in Florida.

2005 - The Men’s Club is reorganized after several years of dormancy.

2005 - The renovation of the sanctuary is completed.

2005 - Sanctuary Torah covers are created by Jeanette Kuvin Oren for the renovation.

2006 - “A Man and His Music” celebrates Cantor Konigsberg’s 25th year at B’nai Jacob.

2007 - Rabbi Eisenberg leaves to pursue a career in counseling in the field of addictions.

2007 - Risa Walter becomes the first Family Progam Director.

2008 - A year of celebration of 125 years of B’nai Jacob.

2008 - We welcome Rabbi Joel Levenson as the 10th rabbi of our synagogue.

2008 - Myrna Zaret marks 30 years of reading Torah on Shabbat for B’nai Jacob.

2009 - The chapel windows are rededicated.

2009 - The brick walkway is installed.

2010 - B’nai Jacob reads. Congregation reads and discusses Mitch Albom’s book, “Have a Little Faith.”

2010 - Mitzvah Day involves congregants of all ages in projects of building improvement and tzedakah.

2010 - Shabbat at the Shore. Friday night service held on the beach.

2010 - Renowned artist Mordechai Rosenstein visits for a weekend of special events.

By Rhoda Gorenberg