1899-1949 |
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| Title | 1899-1949 Congregation Bikur Cholim 50th Anniversary Chartered February 17,1899 |
| Creator | Congregation Bikur Cholim |
| Identifier | http://toto.lib.unca.edu/booklets/congregation_bikur_cholim/default_congregation_bikur_cholim.htm |
| Subject Keyword | Jewish community in Asheville ; Congregation Bikur Cholim ; Congregation Beth Israel ; Sisterhood ; Men's Club ; Hebrew Auxiliary Society ; Jewish congregation ; synagogue ; anniversaries ; fiftieth anniversary ; |
| Subject LCSH | Beth Israel (Asheville, N.C.) -- Sources Bloom, Bernard Jews -- North Carolina -- Asheville -- Sources Jews -- Southern states -- History Southern states -- Ethnic relations |
| Description | Part of the Congregation Beth Israel collection at UNCA and prepared for the fiftieth anniversary of the Congregation in Asheville in 1949. This 48 page booklet contains a listing of past officers and presidents, an anniversary message from the Rabbi, a program for the fiftieth anniversary banquet, a history of the Congregation, and a list of membership in 1949. |
| Publisher | D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville 28804 |
| Contributor | Congregation and Board of Trustees, Beth Israel Synagogue, Asheville NC ; Jay Jacoby |
| Date | 1949 |
| Type | Image ; Text ; Physical Object |
| Format | image/jpeg/text |
| Source | M2008.03.06.1 in the Congregation Beth Israel Papers |
| Language | English |
| Relation | Is part of
Congregation Beth Israel Papers (Asheville, NC), D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA ; Leah and Morris Karpen Oral History in Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA ; Sidney Schochet Family Papers, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA ; Schandler Family Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA ; Leo Finkelstein Oral History in Voices of Asheville Oral History Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA ; Leo Finkelstein Papers, 1903-1998, W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection, Belk Library Special Collections, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC ; Sol Schulman Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA ; Ada and Lou Pollock Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA ; Jacob Rosen Family Papers, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA ; "Jewish Roots in the Carolinas: A Pattern of American Philo-Semitism," Charlotte, N.C.: The Carolina Israelite, 1955, in the D. Hiden Ramsey Collection printed material - various publications (M80.5.2.6), D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA ; Choosing to Remember - From the Shoah to the Mountains, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNCA and the Center for Diversity Education ; Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, UNC Chapel Hill ; American Jewish Historical Society ; "A Portion of the People: Three Hundred Years of Southern Jewish Life," Documenting the American South, UNC Chapel Hill ; |
| Coverage Temporal | 1899-1949 |
| Coverage Spatial | Asheville, N.C. |
| Rights | No restrictions. Any display, publication, or public use must credit the D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville. Copyright retained by the creators of certain items in the collection, or their descendents, as stipulated by United States copyright law. |
| Donor | Donor number |
| Citation | D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville 28804 |
| Processed by | Special Collections staff, JF, 2012 |
| Last update | 2012-03-28 ; 2013-07-29 (page numbers corrected) cr |
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| Cover | cbca_001 | 1899-1949 Congregation BIKUR CHOLIM 50th Anniversary Chartered February 17, 1899 |
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| Page 1 | cbca_002 | DEDICATION THIS BOOKLET is dedicated to the founders of this Congregation who toiled so faithfully to maintain a house of worship and who, by their untiring work and vision, succeeded in their efforts. This Synagogue is justly a memorial to the charter members and their successors in maintaining a house of worship against almost unsurmountable odds, and is a clear illustration that nothing is impossible when the efforts of those possessing the vision and desire are directed to the establishment of a worthy cause. To the firms and individuals listed herein, whose generosity has made this booklet possible, the officers and members of The Congregation Bikur Cholim and The Men's Club are most grateful. |
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| Page 2 | cbca_003 | Rev. Louis Londow Spiritual Leader 1897 - 1912 |
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| Page 3 | cbca_004 | Mr. S. H. Michalove Charter Member |
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| Page 4 | cbca_005 | CHARTER MEMBERS A. BLOMBERG R. B. ZAGIER L. MICHALOVE H. SCHAS M. SCHAS |
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| Page 5 | cbca_006 | OFFICERS NEMIAH GOLDSTEIN President GEORGE COOLEY Vice-President MILTON LUREY Secretary DR. HAROLD BOOK Treasurer |
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| Page 6 | cbca_007 | SYNAGOGUE OFFICERS Nemiah Goldstein, President Sender Argintar, Honorary President George Cooley, Vice President Milton Lurey, Secretary Dr. Harold Book, Treasurer Eli Argintar, Financial Secretary DIRECTORS SISTERHOOD OFFICERS MEN'S CLUB OFFICERS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE |
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| Page 7 | cbca_008 | PAST PRESIDENTS OF OUR CONGREGATION
PAST PRESIDENTS OF OUR SISTERHOOD PAST PRESIDENTS OF OUR BROTHERHOOD |
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| Page 8 | cbca_009 | PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE THIS YEAR marks the Golden Anniversary of Congregation Bikur Cholim, It is altogether fitting and proper that this be a joyous and celebrated occasion, since a fiftieth anniversary in the life of an institution, or even in the life of a nation or a business, is indeed a momentous one. For one reason, because it signifies that, long years in the past, an idea was evolved, an idea so sorely needed and so in tune with the times and the needs of the times, that it has endured thru changing vistas and passing generations. For another thing it indicates the courage and the perseverance of a small group of early pioneers in keeping this idea alive and progressive over a length of time which surely saw many such ideas spring up, glow for a while, and then finally die out thru lack of sufficient interest and applied force. In reading over the history of our congregation, one is immediately struck by the indomitable spirit of those who founded the Congregation and of those after them who nursed the tiny flame along and kept it alive in the early years. There is no doubt but that it would have been much easier for them to have abandoned, or even to have altered a few of their ideals, rather than to have struggled as they did within their own small group. But in the true spirit of Judaism, they made no compromise with their religion, they stood fast to the principles and precepts of our fathers and as a result, we, their descendants, are blessed today with this fine active congregation. We owe a debt to them which cannot be measured in dollars and cents, nor even in paeons of praise or lofty monuments. The only way in which the debt can be even partially repaid is for us in our turn to remain true to our principles and to instruct and encourage our children to do likewise. There is a glowing future in the offing for Congregation Bikur Cholim. But, like everything else, it will not happen just by wishing for it. It's going to require work on the part of a few, assistance oh the part of others and encouragement, cooperation and support from everyone. There may be times in the future when you as an individual will be asked to assume an office or to do some work for which you may feel that you are unsuited. When this happens, I beg of you, don't just shrug it off with the trite and familiar excuses that you are incapable or too busy. We all feel that way at first. But in the final analysis, each of us is as capable as the other and there are times in life when we must make some sacrifice of time in order to keep secure the things which are dear to our hearts and which we must cling to. Sincerely yours, NEMIAH GOLDSTEIN. |
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| Page 9 | cbca_010 | 50TH ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE OF OUR RABBI RABBI MARTIN KESSLER AS TIME MOVES ON .... IT IS a long time since the First Captivity, when Ezekiel the Priest and Prophet was exiled to Babylonia. It happened two thousand five hundred and forty-five years ago. Ezekiel and many Jews of Jerusalem were captives of King Nebuchadnezzar, who did not want to scatter the group throughout the kingdom, but established them in one place as a community. They lived in the village of Tel Aviv, south of the city of Babylon, and Ezekiel, a Priest without a Temple, was still able to prophesy and to practise religious leadership among his brethren. The small exiled community would gather on Sabbaths and on Holydays to hear a word of Torah, of consolation and of Hope from their leader. It was difficult for them to preserve their faith intact and to keep up their hope, as the Temple was in Jerusalem and in their minds God's dwelling-place was the Holy of Holies. How could they then worship God in a strange land? Ezekiel had to teach the exiles that God could be found and worshipped everywhere, even in exile, even at a great distance from the Beth Hamikdash. Israel's misfortune in the meantime became tragedy. The Holy Temple was destroyed! It was then that Ezekiel showed himself in all his greatness to his people. He held that the Jewish community could survive the national disaster by their Love of God and their Faith in Him, in God who would redeem Eretz Yisroel, rebuild it and rebuild the Temple. So certain was Ezekiel of the restoration of his people to their own land that he drew up detailed plans for the future Temple on the Hill of Zion. Thus did religious worship under the spiritual guidance of Ezekiel give birth to the Synagogue! We, in our Shuhl, Bikur Cholim, still utter some of the ancient prayers with which Ezekiel fired the souls of his brethren into fervent hope for a better future for Israel. |
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| Page 10 | cbca_011 | Bikur Cholim is but 50 years old! So
young, and yet such a great force already in the tradition established by
Ezekiel. It is a House of God in which we try to elevate our souls through
prayer and through reverence to God who kept us a People ever since our
great prophet was taken into captivity. May Bikur Cholim and its members live and endure, so that in our life-time we may see not only the present partial realization but the total fulfilment of Ezekiel's vision: "Thus saith the Lord God: When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the nations, then shall they dwell in their own land which I gave to my servant Jacob .... "And they shall know that I am the Lord their God . . . ." May He, the Holy One, bless the Members of His Congregation Bikur Cholim with long life so that they may celebrate in Love of each other and in Happiness many godly and joyful anniverstries! RABBI MARTIN KESSLER. STERLING SILVER PLATE—A wedding gift presented to Mrs. Dora Rapport by the Hebrew Auxiliary Society (Sisterhood and Men's Club Combined) February 1912. |
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| Page 11 | cbca_012 | FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY BANQUET PROGRAM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1949 — 7:30 P. M. At The Jewish Community Center Toastmaster.........................................................Mr. Herbert Wadopian Invocation.............................................................Rabbi Martin Keesler Addresses of Welcome— President of the Congregation................................Mr. Nemiah Goldstein Honorary President.........................................................Sender Argintar President of the Sisterhood...........................................Mrs. Sam Robins President of the Men's Club..................................Mr. Bernard Goldstein Musical Numbers—Mrs. Bernard Goldstein and Mr. Leo Goldstein accompanied by the Maddaford Trio Recognition of Living Charter Member. Messages of Greeting— Hon. Clarence E. Morgan Mayor of the City of Asheville Chaplain (Col.) Earl D Weed Pastor First Congregational Church, President of Asheville and Buncombe County Ministerial Association Rabbi Sidney E. Unger Rabbi, Congregation Beth Ha-Tephila Response To Greetings...........................................Rabbi Martin Kessler Musical Numbers—Mrs. Bernard Goldstein and Mr. Leo Goldstein accompanied by the Maddaford Trio Introduction of Past Presidents of Congregation, Sisterhood and Men's Club Anniversary Address................................................................... Rabbi Gilbert Klaperman Rabbi, Brith Sholom Synagogue, Charleston, S. C. Benediction...................................................................................... Rabbi Sidney E. Unger |
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| Page 12 | cbca_013 | HISTORY OF CONGREGATION BIKUR CHOLIM A HISTORY complete within itself, filled with desire, ambition, fulfillment and even tragedy. That is a brief description of the first half century in the life of Congregation Bikur Cholim. The fact that it bears a striking resemblance to the history of our people as a whole for the last two thousand years is not surprising when you consider that the aims and desired results in both instances were so identical. ASHEVILLE in 1899 was only one-sixth its present size. Even then, however, it insisted that it was not just a mountain village, but a large and thriving city of 10,235 population, with railroad lines, water mains, gas and electric utilities, street cars and other modern conveniences. Actually at the time there were just six miles of paved streets and three street car lines. It is, therefore, not too difficult to imagine that the Jewish youth of this modern, progressive metropolis of the Nineties, lived and thought along the same lines as the youth of today, that the Orthodox Judaism of the elders was too restrictive and oppressive, and that certain customs and traditions which had been a part of Judaism for unknown years, were outmoded, unnecessary and too difficult to maintain. But there were still those who felt the needs for the oneness of their fathers—who had a yearning in their hearts for something that could only be satisfied by Orthodox services. And so it was one night in February of 1899 that eight men held a meeting in a room on the 2nd floor of No. 8 North Court Square, (now Pack Square), to discuss the situation and to try to find a solution. As a result of this meeting these men decided that the type of Reform Judaism emphasized at that period was inadequate and insufficient for their needs and the needs of their children. Their answer to the problem was the forming of a new congregation to promote and conduct Orthodox religious services. The Asheville Daily Citizen, in the February 16, 1899 edition, ran the following headline and story: JEWISH CONGREGATION Articles of incorporation of the "Congregation Bikur Cholim and Kodoishy" have been filed in Superior Court Clerk Erwin's office. The Congregation is a benevolent, charitable and religious Association, its purpose being to promote and conduct orthodox religious services in the Jewish faith in Asheville and elsewhere in Buncombe County. The incorporators of the congregation are: J. B. Schwartzberg, A. Blomberg, Sam Finestein, H. Freidenberg, S. H. Michalove, A. Shenboum, M. Zageir and R. B. Zageir:' It is worthy to call atention to the optimism of the incorporators in the fact that the territory specified not only Asheville but also took in the entire of Buncombe County. |
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| Page 13 | cbca_014 | ASHEVILLE Jewry at the time was
definitely a well rooted segment of the community. On February 24, 1899, a
quarter page story appeared on the front page of the newspaper, describing
in detail the entire story of Purim. The Citizen at that time was only a
small four page daily, with only a small section on the back page devoted
to local news. A local item appearing on the front page would be
considered of monumental importance. Imagine, therefore, the significance
which must have been ascribed to the story, which began: — With the setting sun last night began among the Jews of all the inhabitable globe the observance of the Feast of Purim. The Jews of Asheville celebrated it with the Rabbi reading to the Congregation, the entire Book of Esther. Even then, as now, the names of Jewish students appeared upon the honor rolls of the city schools, especially Grange Street and Montford Avenue Schools. It is not difficult to envision the joy and satisfaction of the parents as they witnessed their sons and daughters receiving the high honors of scholarship and learning. Many of the names are familiar to us today—Sadie Emanuel, Irving Long, Dora Londow, Marras Schas, Hattie Michalove, Rebecca Leszinsky, Hannah Blomberg, Anna Schas, Joe Berman and so on. WRITTEN records of these early days of the life of Congregation Bikur Cholim are unavailable and we must depend upon the memories of our earlier members and their children for the history of the early years. Our small congregation has apparently led a somewhat sketchy and unofficial existence for some years prior to the issuance of the charter but again, no records could be found showing the organization, membership or meeting places. As a matter of fact, the congregation could not boast of a synagogue of its own for several years and we find services being held at various public places. We do know that at one time weekly services were held in the old Masonic Temple and High Holy Day services were held at the Odd Fellows Hall, 18 1/2 Church Street. Our spiritual leader during this period was Rev. L. Londow, who came from Baltimore in 1897 through the efforts of Mr. S. H. Michalove and Mr. B. Zageir. There is no doubt that the congregation flourished and grew and progressed since we have evidence that in 1904 a joint meeting was held by Congregation Bikur Cholim and Congregation Beth Ha-Tephila, presided over by Dr. Solomon Schechter, then president of the Jewish Theological Seminary, who attempted to consolidate the two groups into one congregation. THE Jewish population continued to grow and in 1911 it was felt that the time had arrived to commence the building of a synagogue. The land at the present site was purchased by the congregation for $1000, and the erection was started of a House of Worship. Just as it is now, a few of our members were wealthy but the greater number were small merchants and businessmen in only moderate circumstances and the money for this project did not come easily. It is easy for us to visualize the hardships and sacrifices that the little group |
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| Page 14 | cbca_015 | endured in order that they might some
day be able to gather in their own synagogue. Among the stalwart leaders
of that time some few are still with us, but many more have moved or
passed on. The names, unfolding like a chapter in history, and it is a
grand history, include: M. Schas, H. Schas, Morris Levitt, Abraham
Michalove, Samuel Michalove, L. H. Pollock, Ben Pollock, Abraham Bane,
Harry L. Finklestein, Maurice Swartzburg, Barney Pearlman, Morris Diamond,
Harry Levitch, Harry Seigle, Charles Book, Max Rosen, Morris Rosenfeld,
Louis Michalove, J. B. Schochet, Samuel Novick, Ike Swartzburg, and S.
Silverman. Naturally the progress of building was slow. We find evidence that the struggle to raise the necessary funds was a difficult and arduous one. But the reward was correspondingly great. For each time the members would visit the building they would delight in its emergence from the customary eyesore of uncompleted buildings into a beautiful edifice worthy of its purpose. For over twelve years the hearts and hopes of the group was directed towards acquiring its own house of worship and while this one was small, it had one of the most beautiful interiors of any synagogue in the state. Arranged strictly according to Orthodox precepts, the skilled work was done exactly in keeping with the Scriptures and many people visited the synagogue solely to admire its beauty. Although not fully completed until four years later, the synagogue was first used for High Holy Day Services in 1912. ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1916, on the eve of Rosh-Hashonah, the synagogue stood complete in all its glory, anticipating and welcoming the High Holy Days so near at hand. And then tragedy struck! A fire of unknown, mysterious origin, destroyed the building to such an extent that only the brick walls were left standing. An article in the following morning's Citizen quoted Mr. S. H. Michalove, President, as stating that the building had just been completed at an additional cost of $2,100, after it had stood in a state of partial completion for four years. The front of artistic brick work had just been finished. The total cost had been in excess of $11,000 and it was a total loss. Records show that a total of $3,000 insurance was carried but the balance of the loss was stupendous to the small struggling group. Of equal importance with the monetary loss was the realization that all the work and planning and saving of seventeen years had vanished in smoke and flames and it would all have to be done over again. But an indication of the spirit of these pioneers can be surmised from a statement of a member that "it is a terrific blow but we passed through the struggle once and I guess that we are better fitted for it another time." Can you not see the same spirit motivating our ancestors in Canaan and in Egypt, even in Germany and Poland during the time of Hitler's infamous reign? Immediately following the catastrophe, we witness that trait, peculiar to the American people, the helping hand to those in misfortune, the eagerness and the willingness to give succor and aid to the unfortunate victims of life's vicissitudes. From all directions offers of aid, cash donations, building material and even the services of four Protestant ministers were offered. In the interim, services were |
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| Page 15 | cbca_016 | ducted by Rev. D. Hector in the rooms
of the YMHA in the Sondley building. Mr. L. Londow volunteered to go to
Knoxville to secure a Torah for temporary use. THE rebuilding of the present Synagogue was immediately started and went forward with dispatch. During this period a minor rift in the congregation developed between two divergent groups and each group sought control of the synagogue. Through the efforts, however, of the impartial moderates in the group, a compromise was reached and permanent division averted. Apparently the rebuilding was completed finally in 1924, since we have documentary evidence of a loan in that year which apparently was for the completion of the building. The records of this loan are a story within itself. We observe that the notes were endorsed by such pillars of the community as S. Finestein. H. L. Finkelstein, L. H. Pollock, S. I. Blomberg, A. Blomberg, D. S. Schandler, L. Michalove and I. Michalove. There were nine notes, maturing annually, of S250 each, and a final note of $2750. That it was not an easy task to retire these small annual notes is borne out by the notation on several of them of partial payments, $30, $44, etc. When the final note came due in 1934 another crisis developed, and this time it looked desperate. The congregation simply did not have the funds to retire the final note of $2750 and it seemed for a while that nothing could be done to prevent foreclosure. A meeting of desperation was called and under the leadership of Leo Finkelstein, Leo Cadison and L. H. Pollock, a sum of around $1800 was raised on Yom Kippur Eve. Mr. Pollock then negotiated with the holder of the note and was successful in effecting a settlement for that amount in full payment of the mortgage. OTHER than just the purely religious aspects, however, the congregation was ever on the move with expanded and improved duties and activities. The Ladies Auxiliary, which today is known as the Bikur Cholim Sisterhood, stood shoulder to shoulder with the Congregation and much credit is due them for the present day busy and active congregation. They were always ready to answer any call for assistance and they voluntarily took over many duties connected with the building. One of their leading activities was the holding of various fund raising affairs in order to bolster the finances of the Synagogue and we can picture the joy and satisfaction they took in each large social affair and other events which provided a few dollars for the sadly depleted treasury. Down through the years, as far as our records provide, we note the names of the presidents, Mrs. Etta Londow Rond, Mrs. Dora Rappaport, Mrs. Sam Book, Mrs. Max Scherr, Mrs. Sam Carp, Mrs. J. J. Goldstein, Mrs. I. Fagan, Mrs. Dave Adler, Mrs. N. J. Tureff, and more recently, Mrs. Irving Ness, Mrs. Harry Torn and Mrs. Aaron Schandler. |
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| Page 16 | cbca_017 | The Men's Club of Bikur Cholim was
formed in 1944. Its purpose was to assist the congregation in business and
financial affairs, also to provide a vehicle for social and recreational
events which could not be conducted by the congregation. In its short life
it has become the dominant factor of the Synagogue and is today filling
many needs and gaps which existed prior to its organization. The first
president of this group was George Cooley, followed by Milton Lurey, Harry
Freeman, Harold Book, and the present incumbent, Bernard Goldstein. ALONG with the evolution of Bikur Cholim from that small Orthodox group in 1899 to the large Conservative membership of today, came the modern, progressive changes in our Sunday School and Talmud Torah. Under the present inspired leadership of Rabbi Martin Kessler, our educational program is active and alive. From the early methods of Hebrew taught only to read and taught with the use of a yardstick for emphasis, to the present more logical and infinitely more attractive and effective method of conversational modern Hebrew taught by speech methods and progressing to the reading of more difficult Biblical passages, this within itself is an evolution. That it is attractive and satisfying, however, is borne out by the fact that classes are well attended and the children evidence interest rather than the customary boredom which is the result of pedantic and uninspired teaching. This history would not be complete without mention being made of the men who furnished the lay leadership as presidents of the congregation, and of the men who served us so well as spiritual leaders. As mentioned previously, our records of the past are sketchy and incomplete, so if any name is omitted, it is due entirely to this reason and not to any desire on the part of the historian to slight or neglect anyone. The Rabbinical leadership during the fifty years of existence was provided by Rabbis Londow, Elias Fox, Lazarus Lehrer, D. Hector, Scharfman, Goodcovitz, Kaplivitz, S. Wrubel, G. Berkman, D. Wachfogel, L. Leifer, R. Meier, J. Seidler, and our present leader, Rabbi Martin Kessler. The lay leaders of the Schule, bearing the brunt of financial matters, and the practical operation of the congregation included such names as S. H. Micha-love, Harry Finkelstein, I. Goldstein, Sender Argintar, J. J. Goldstein, Sam Finestein, M. Jarmuth, Sam Reevin, Sam Carp, G. C. Book, Harry Lavitt, Sigbert Loeb, and the present incumbent, Nemiah Goldstein. YES, it is very true that years behind us saw many hardships and tragedies, with but few joyous occasions to compensate. But of late the Synagogue has taken on a new life, due in part to the installing of a group of young and aggressive officers. We take pride in our growing membership, in our large and interested attendance at our weekly Sabbath night services, and in our well-balanced educational program, which embraces both our Sunday School and the Community Talmud Torah, which is open to any child, regardless of its parents' affiliation with either congregation or with none. By dint of much effort, we were able to secure a home for our Rabbi and we feel that this acquisition puts |
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| Page 17 | cbca_018 | us in a very good position insofar as
spiritual guidance is concerned. We have resumed publication of the
monthly bulletin and hope that it will become a permanent feature. We owe
a tremendous debt to those eight men who sat around a table in 1899, and
to the men who have carried on since, but if we will cling to the
principles and precepts of Judaism and teach them to our children to carry
on after us, our ancestors will consider themselves well re-paid.
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| Page 18 | cbca_019 | FELICITATIONS
FROM OUR CHILDREN
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| Page 19 | cbca_020 | MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION
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