Freehold Jewish Center
Encyclopedia
The Freehold Jewish Center, also referred to as "Congregation Agudath Achim", is a synagogue
in Freehold, New Jersey
. Founded in 1911, it completed its first synagogue building by 1916, and its current building in 1957.
Eli Fishman was the congregation's rabbi from 1970 to 1997. He was succeeded by Kenneth Greene, who served for 13 years. , the rabbi was Dr. Tal Sessler, and the president was Barry Hochberg.
synagogue named Congregation Agudath Achim Anshai. Many of the founders had immigrated to the United States from Russia and Poland, and many of its leaders were merchants and professionals in the area. Raphael Riemer, who immigrated to Freehold from Russia in 1906, was the synagogue’s first rabbi and cantor. Louis Finegold, a clothing store owner, was the first President of the synagogue. In 1911, the synagogue had a membership of 40 families.
The synagogue was first built, at a land and construction cost of approximately $1,000, as a small (32' x 50') wooden structure on the corner of First Street and Center Street in Freehold between 1911 and 1916, by the Freehold Hebrew Association, which had been established in 1894. The synagogue's religious school started at that location in September 1914. Dues were $6 ($ today). The synagogue added a second floor to the building in 1916.
The synagogue formed a sisterhood in 1920, and that year a mikva was constructed below the synagogue. The synagogue also established a cemetery on Route 33 in Freehold, which it has maintained for over 90 years.
became active in the Howell Township
area, and members of the synagogue regularly patrolled the synagogue grounds armed with shotguns to protect it against Klan members. In 1943, during World War II, American soldier and Freehold Jewish Center member Jack Steinberg found an old Torah covered in soot and ash in the burned wreckage of a synagogue in a small Jewish village in Italy. He shipped it back to the synagogue, where it was restored 47 years later and is now displayed. Synagogue membership in the synagogue had grew to 100 families by 1943, and 184 families by 1950.
During the 1950s and 1960s, synagogue membership in the synagogue reached 400. It changed its name to Freehold Jewish Center in the 1960s. Eli Fishman was the synagogue's rabbi
from 1970 until he retired in 1997. He was succeeded by Kenneth Greene.
of the U.S. First Army killed in the Battle of the Bulge
, who for his gallantry was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart
and the Silver Star
. Family members had constructed the synagogue's ark and benches by hand after his death.
In 2006, the synagogue had a membership of 260 families. By 2010, membership had fallen to 175 families.
In 2011, to commemorate its centennial year, the synagogue planned a series of events. Past president Jerry Einhorn said: “I think it’s absolutely wonderful we have reached our 100th year. It’s a beautiful synagogue, and I look forward to its next 500 years.” That year marked Greene's 13th year as the congregation's rabbi.
, the congregation's rabbi was Dr. Tal Sessler and the president was Mr. Barry Hochberg.
and his wife as guests of honor. David Metz was president of the synagogue at the time. In 1973, an addition was added to the synagogue, containing classrooms and offices, and expanding the sanctuary.
The synagogue's sanctuary and extension are flanked in stained glass
windows. The building also houses 12 classrooms, social halls, a 350-person formal ballroom, a youth lounge, a library, a gym, and kosher kitchens.
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
in Freehold, New Jersey
Freehold Borough, New Jersey
Freehold is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,052. It is the county seat of Monmouth County....
. Founded in 1911, it completed its first synagogue building by 1916, and its current building in 1957.
Eli Fishman was the congregation's rabbi from 1970 to 1997. He was succeeded by Kenneth Greene, who served for 13 years. , the rabbi was Dr. Tal Sessler, and the president was Barry Hochberg.
Early history
In July 1911, a charter was drawn up for the formation of an OrthodoxOrthodoxy (disambiguation)
Orthodoxy in its original sense referred to the State church of the Roman Empire*Sundry Christian Churches that style themselves Orthodox claim to be the continuation of the above:** Eastern Orthodoxy accepts 7 Ecumenical councils....
synagogue named Congregation Agudath Achim Anshai. Many of the founders had immigrated to the United States from Russia and Poland, and many of its leaders were merchants and professionals in the area. Raphael Riemer, who immigrated to Freehold from Russia in 1906, was the synagogue’s first rabbi and cantor. Louis Finegold, a clothing store owner, was the first President of the synagogue. In 1911, the synagogue had a membership of 40 families.
The synagogue was first built, at a land and construction cost of approximately $1,000, as a small (32' x 50') wooden structure on the corner of First Street and Center Street in Freehold between 1911 and 1916, by the Freehold Hebrew Association, which had been established in 1894. The synagogue's religious school started at that location in September 1914. Dues were $6 ($ today). The synagogue added a second floor to the building in 1916.
The synagogue formed a sisterhood in 1920, and that year a mikva was constructed below the synagogue. The synagogue also established a cemetery on Route 33 in Freehold, which it has maintained for over 90 years.
1940–2000
In the 1940s, the Ku Klux KlanKu Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
became active in the Howell Township
Howell Township
Howell Township may refer to:* Howell Township, Michigan* Howell Township, New Jersey...
area, and members of the synagogue regularly patrolled the synagogue grounds armed with shotguns to protect it against Klan members. In 1943, during World War II, American soldier and Freehold Jewish Center member Jack Steinberg found an old Torah covered in soot and ash in the burned wreckage of a synagogue in a small Jewish village in Italy. He shipped it back to the synagogue, where it was restored 47 years later and is now displayed. Synagogue membership in the synagogue had grew to 100 families by 1943, and 184 families by 1950.
During the 1950s and 1960s, synagogue membership in the synagogue reached 400. It changed its name to Freehold Jewish Center in the 1960s. Eli Fishman was the synagogue's rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
from 1970 until he retired in 1997. He was succeeded by Kenneth Greene.
21st century
In 2002, the synagogue commissioned the writing of a new torah scroll, for $30,000. The following year, it was one of a number of area synagogues that took part in helping fund the building of a new home for a family, under the auspices of the Freehold Area Habitat for Humanity. In April 2003, the synagogue named its chapel the Oglensky Chapel, after David Oglensky, a synagogue member and soldier who had been a lieutenant and commander in the 740th Tank BattalionBattalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of the U.S. First Army killed in the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
, who for his gallantry was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
and the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
. Family members had constructed the synagogue's ark and benches by hand after his death.
In 2006, the synagogue had a membership of 260 families. By 2010, membership had fallen to 175 families.
In 2011, to commemorate its centennial year, the synagogue planned a series of events. Past president Jerry Einhorn said: “I think it’s absolutely wonderful we have reached our 100th year. It’s a beautiful synagogue, and I look forward to its next 500 years.” That year marked Greene's 13th year as the congregation's rabbi.
, the congregation's rabbi was Dr. Tal Sessler and the president was Mr. Barry Hochberg.
Broad Street Synagogue building
Ground was broken in 1947 for a new synagogue, on lots 250' x 175' that were purchased in 1943 and 1945, responding to the need for a larger one. In 1957, the new synagogue was completed on the corner of Broad Street and Stokes Street. The synagogue was dedicated on August 25, 1957, with Governor Robert B. MeynerRobert B. Meyner
Robert Baumle Meyner of Phillipsburg, New Jersey was an American Democratic Party politician, who served as the 44th Governor of New Jersey, from 1954 to 1962...
and his wife as guests of honor. David Metz was president of the synagogue at the time. In 1973, an addition was added to the synagogue, containing classrooms and offices, and expanding the sanctuary.
The synagogue's sanctuary and extension are flanked in stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
windows. The building also houses 12 classrooms, social halls, a 350-person formal ballroom, a youth lounge, a library, a gym, and kosher kitchens.
External links
- Freehold Jewish Center website
- Freehold Jewish Center facebook page
- 70 years of Jewish life in Freehold: 70th year, Congregation Agudath Achim, Broad St., Freehold, N.J., Congregation Adugath Achim (Freehold, N.J.)
- 75th diamond jubilee anniversary, April 12th, 1986, Congregation Agudath Achim (Freehold, N.J.), 1986