Tuesday, August 24, 2010

BRIEF HISTORY WRITTEN IN 1964

This brief history of Ohav Shalom was written for a book published to commemorate the dedication of the synagogue building at New Krumkill Road in 1964.

Our Congregation had its birth over a half-century ago in the year 1911. It began when a small group of sincere and dedicated people desirous of worshipping “on the hill”, got together to hold services. Among these men were Jacob LaCholter, Abraham (Puhne) and Daniel Kohn, Morris Kahn, Henry and Jacob Miller, Abraham Krantz, Solomon Wise, Isadore Kolodny Louis Greenstein and Samuel Steinberg.

We are told that in order to be sure of having a “minyan” of ten men, arrangements were made for selected individuals to come “uptown”. These were paid a sum of 50¢ per trip.

Gradually others joined the little band for services which were held, not in a temple, but in the homes of Jacob LaCholter, Samuel Steinberg and Isadore Kolodny. In these private homes were the daily and Sabbath prayers, as well as Hebrew School. Services for the High Holy Days were conducted in Cameron Hall on Central Avenue in order to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers. It is interesting that when we vacated Washington Avenue in 1961, we should go to 268 Central Avenue which is but a few doors away from the building still bearing the name Cameron Hall.

In these early days teaching and Bar Mitzvah lessons were a matter of private instruction. We are told of a Mr. Silver who traveled from East Schodack four times a week to teach a mixed class of the ages 10 to 13. Another was a Mr. Sodelman of Lake Avenue, who taught in his place of business and Mr. A. P. Lewis who was our Sunday School teacher. Many sons of the founders of our congregation had their Bar Mitzvahs held in the LaCholter and Kolodny residences.

These men from the start desired a formal Congregation and on October 11, 1914 the first meeting was held at the LaCholter residence for the purpose of incorporation. The Certificate of Incorporation was signed by Abraham Krantz, Isadore Kolodny and Abraham Kohn on March 15, 1915. The first president was Jacob LaCholter with Isadore Kolodny as the first secretary.

Succeeding presidents of our noble institution included:

Jacob Miller                Harry Novik
Abraham Krantz          Louis Osher 
David Katz                  Henry Fluster
Abraham Kohn            Rueben Kohn
Louis Breslaw             Harry Kaplan
Solomon Wise            Joseph Greenberg
Louis Kaufman            Henry Feinman
Morris Ungerman         Alex Corbat
Bernard Brody             Marvin Levine
Elias Bennett              Morrris Simonovitz

In the early days, Ohav Sholom had no particular rabbi or cantor, but hired their services as needed for the High Holy Days.

During those early pioneering days, we acquired the Congregation’s Cemetery. This was accomplished in 1916. It was recalled that Mr. LaCholter, assisted by his family, built the first fence around the cemetery and that Mr. Kolodny and Mr. Krantz accomplished the erection of a small building at the cemetery which was used as a waiting place during inclement weather.

About this time the Chevra Kedusha was founded by Myer Burick and Isadore Kolodny. These two men served this cause for many years until their deaths. From this evolved the Cemetery Committee which was headed by Morris Swyer and Herman Goldberg: and for the past several years, this most important post has been filled by Myron Tucker.

Mention should be made of our “Gabboim” – our “Keepers of the Pulpit” for they were few in number and served for so many faithful years. These included Max Axelrod, Louis Kaufman, Nathan Rosenswieg, Joseph Levine, Morris Swyer, Joseph Greenberg and Harry Novik.

In September 1922 a great step forward was taken. Congregtion Ohav Sholom acquired their own building. At last, these people had a formal House of Worship. This was located at 441 Washington Avenue and so remained our home until 1961.

Then as now, the accomplishments and progress of man is generally made possible by the direct or indirect action of woman. So too, with our Congregation, its beginning and its growth, was due in large measure to its noble women. The wives of our fathers led by Lena Steinberg organized the “Daughters of Ruth” which is now our “Sisterhood”. The many stories of their unselfish labors and strenuous efforts should serve all of us, men and women alike, to extend ourselves to the final completion of our beautiful building.

During the Depression and the years of the Second World War, the congregation grew and prospered, although there were also hard times. As one member recalled, a new roof was put on through the generous advancement of the needed funds by one of our gracious shamash – Mr. Ellis Freedman. The loan being granted until the Congregation could raise the sum. Incidentally, over the many years, the names of other shamash of long standing were Mr. Risemen, Mr. Sweetgall and Barney Adler.

Our building through the years was very much alive with varied activities. So many recall the holiday programs by the Talmud Torah, now replaced, enlarged and improved by our Religious School. We had our New Year’s Eve parties then; and Yom Kippur after the long day, we would return to the Synagogue for frolic and fellowship …. and to pay what we pledged. Our Sisterhood and Brotherhood sponsored bazaars in the social hall and carnivals in huge tents in the yard. Yes, we even had Bingo in those days and raffled automobiles. We were alive with adult education by lecture series and classes. During the 40’s, we boasted a Couples Club for all the city of Albany. We have heard form many current members that they spent many enjoyable social evenings in their “younger days” at the Ohav Sholom’s Couples Club.

After World War II, there was general restlessness among the younger families for growth, merger and building. We were invited to join with two other conservative synagogues, but our membership by a very close and highly dramatic vote, decided not to merge. About this time in 1949 we suffered a severe fire. Who will ever forget Mr. Isadore Kolodny who braved the burning building, in order to take our torahs across the street to the Albany High School for safety. Yes, who can forget that in the midst of water soaked ruins, services were conducted while the building still smoldered. The building was repaired, renovated and even expanded to its present size on Washington Avenue. We cannot but pause to reflect upon the tremendous turn of events in the fortunes of our Congregation with the ascension of Mr. Harry Feinman as its President. It was during his vigorous administration that a well organized fund raising program was initiated and in particular our annual Anniversary Ball.

In general, it was due to the dedicated work of Harry Feinmen and his officers that infused new life and vigor in this Congregation.

For many years there was talk of building and relocating the Synagogue. When our Rabbi came to us in 1956, he revitalized the interest in a building program, and strongly expressed his feelings that a relocation and building program was necessary for the survival of our Congregation.

A steering committee was appointed by President Alex Corbert to examine the future direction of Ohav Sholom. The steering committee headed by Bernard Ellenbogen, after several weeks of deliberation and investigation, also recommended the need for a building program, but for diverse reasons, the hopes and dreams and ambitions of so many of our members could not be realized.

While several attempts were made to organize a building campaign, or to at least establish a branch of our Religious School in a more appropriate section of the community, it was not until 1960 that the first glimmer of hope began to appear on the horizon of our Synagogue’s history.

In the spring of 1960, it was made known that the State of New York was desirous of renting our Washington Avenue site for State Teacher’s College. Under the dynamic and aggressive leadership of Sam Tabachneck, negotiations were consummated with the State, whereby the Synagogue leased its facilities for a five-year period for $75,000.00. With financial breakthrough, the Congregation began with serious intent and deliberate speed to organize a mammoth program of building and relocation. This program had to include finding temporary headquarters, the procurement of land, organizing a fund raising campaign and coordinating architectural and building plans for an appropriate and practical edifice.

At the juncture in the history of our Congregation, many fortunate events took place. First, it was the emergence of Sam Tabachneck as the prime mover in the building program, secondly, the gift of land bequeathed to the Congregation through the generosity of Mr. Albert Field, and finally the gift of more than $3000.00 from Rhoda Swartz, which permitted us to pay off the mortgage on the old building. From that moment on, our program moved with sureness, confidence and realistic ambition. While many people came forward with their talent, their energy and their money to help realize this dream, certain individuals must be mentioned for the outstanding service in this tremendous undertaking; Mr. Sam Tabachneck for his tireless and devoted energy in coordinating the many facets in the building program, Mr. Morris Simonowitz, our President, for his leadership and deliberate and sagacious devotion to the Synagogue and its problems, Mr. Bernard Ellenbogen for the tireless and exhaustive legal work on behalf of the Congregation, Mr. Samuel Rosenblatt for his efforts on behalf of fund-raising, Mr. Harry Feinmen for his advice and cooperation, and to Rabbi Naphtali J. Rubinger for his vision and perseverance in this crusade for a new Temple. Mention also should be made of the sympathetic cooperation of Mayor Corning and the city administration in resolving many complex and difficult problems in relation to our building program. Finally, a word of commendation should be mentioned to Temple Beth Emeth, Temple Israel, Congregation Sons of Abraham, Congregation Agudath Achim –Beth El Jacob.

From an early edition of our Constitution which dates back to 1927, we find many interesting items, some of which are enumerated here with regard to specific Article or Section number:

    “All business and transactions, either oral of written, at a meeting, must be in the Jewish or English language.”
    “The meetings will be held on every first and third Sunday in the month.”
    “Regular and Special meeting shall start promptly at 7:30 p.m.”
    “No member shall be elected to office who cannot read or write.”
    “If it is found after balloting that more votes have been cast than there were members voting, the ballot shall be void and a new ballot shall be taken.”
    “The yearly dues shall be $18, payable in monthly installments.”
    “If a member becomes ill, he must notify the president. The president must notify the sick committee through the secretary, to visit the sick member daily.”
    “If it is shall be shown by investigation that a member is plotting against the congregation, that member shall be fined or expelled.”
     A section on fines is included such as: “The members of the finance committee shall be fined $1.00 each for failure to fulfill their duties.”
    “The members of the sick committee shall be fined 50¢ for not visiting and 50¢ for not reporting about a sick member.”
    “A member who refuses to obey a president’s call to order shall be fined 25¢ the first time, 50¢ the second time and $1.00 the third time.”

Yes our constitution is quite different, yet we can gather that in days gone by, the meetings were no doubt active and stimulating. Honors and praise go to all officers and members of our congregational family who have served unselfishly, our most worthy cause. We are aware of the arduous task of the secretary-treasurers. We recall A. P. Lewis who served for some fifteen years and Harry Burrick who filled these posts for something in excess of twenty years. Harry today, serves our congregation in an active capacity. The list of those who served and served well is long. We pay high tribute to all of them, honoring them and their memories from past to the present.

We remember with pride and reverence the spiritual leaders who served our congregation during the course of its history: Rabbi Nachman, Rabbi Strauss, Rabbi Henry Segal, Rabbi Aaron Decter, Rabbi Solomon I. Moseson (of blessed memory), Rabbi Harold Schecter and Rabbi Louis Schecter.
We recall with gratitude the teachers who have served our Religious School: Mr. Ravits, Mr. Schwartz, Mr. Ralph Chazan and Mr. Louis Schiner.
We also recall with warm hearted gratitude the Cantors who served our congregation: Cantor Hoffman, Cantor Farkas, Cantor Beinhorn and Cantor Abraham Hoffman.
We are priviledged to list our present staff: Rabbi Naphtali J. Rubinger, Cantor Samuel Seidelman, Mrs. Charlotte Rubinger, Mrs. Miriam Tabonsky, Mr. Jay Sunko and Miss Laura Jaro.



Many of our records were destroyed in the fire and so for this history project, it was necessary to gather information from the recesses of human memories. We have carefully pieced together the many fragments trying always to be as accurate as possible. We apologize for any important omissions or errors as to people, places or dates