Post by Marc LeVine on Aug 17, 2006 17:32:51 GMT -5
Freehold ‘Center’ celebrates 95 years
by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth
When Congregation Agudath Achim Anshai Freehold was chartered in 1911, the Orthodox synagogue was housed in a small room above a store in the Main Street area.
The congregation, now housed at Broad and Stokes streets after moving several times throughout the years, continues to maintain its links to the past while preparing for the future.
The synagogue, now called Freehold Jewish Center, will celebrate its 95th anniversary with a dinner-dance on Sunday, June 25.
The synagogue reflects the colorful history of the community, according to Rabbi Kenneth Greene, who has been the religious leader at the center for the past nine years.
The congregation actually dates back to 1909, when Jewish merchants and farm families fleeing religious persecution in Russia and Poland began to settle in the area. They formed a group called the Freehold Hebrew Association; two years later, in July 1911, a charter was drawn up for an Orthodox synagogue, and the group officially chose Agudath Achim Anshai Freehold as its name. The English translation is a bit loose; the words mean “group of brothers” and “people of Freehold.”
By 1911, the congregation had a membership of 40 families and relocated to a private home on First Street; they rented a small hall on Main Street for High Holy Day observances. Raphael Riemer, who came to Freehold from Russia in 1906, was the synagogue’s first acting rabbi and cantor (six rabbis have served as the congregation’s religious leaders since the founding).
The group soon purchased a lot on First and Center streets and erected a small wooden building (construction costs were approximately $1,000); the synagogue’s religious school began at that location in 1914. Dues were $6 per year.
During the next 10 years, membership continued to grow and a sisterhood was formed in 1920. During the next several years, a mikva was built below the synagogue, a second floor was added, and the basement was converted into a recreation area. By 1943, however, with a membership of 100, the synagogue needed larger quarters and raised money to purchase the tract where it currently stands. A ground-breaking ceremony took place in 1947, and by 1950, the building was operational.
The synagogue was expanded in 1973, with the addition of classrooms and offices and the extension of the sanctuary. In addition to the sanctuary, there are now 12 classrooms, a banquet hall, youth lounge, social hall, library, and daily chapel.
The synagogue grew with the surrounding Jewish community. During the 1920s, social activities blossomed, along with a Jewish Boy Scout troop and the establishment of a YMHA.
In addition to farmers, congregants were now merchants, attorneys, and doctors. Many stores on Main Street were owned by Jews, some of them members of the synagogue. Congregants built homes in town and referred to their synagogue as “the center of life,” according to Greene.
“Their businesses, homes, and synagogue were all here,” he said. “That made them active members of the Freehold community. Freehold was a unique, pluralistic community and was a place where different cultures and religions could coexist. Each group maintained its own sense of identity, but all worked together for the good of the community.”
During the 1930s, however, when the country was in the midst of the Great Depression, many of the synagogue’s member families fell on hard times. Records show that the synagogue tried to offer food and other types of assistance to members in need.
The population in western Monmouth County grew substantially during the 1940s, but not all residents extended a warm welcome. The Ku Klux Klan had become active in the Howell Township area, and members of Agudath Achim, armed with shotguns, regularly patrolled the synagogue grounds to ensure that the Klan did not venture onto the property.
At its peak during the 1950s and 1960s, synagogue membership reached 400; at present, 260 families belong to the synagogue. Many, including the Sagotsky, Oglensky, Friedman, Niemtzow, and Zlotkin families, are direct descendents of the founding families.
Spirit of continuity
Congregation Agudath Achim changed its name to the Freehold Jewish Center during the 1960s; the name change also mirrored the times, Greene said.
“In the 1960s, there was a growing concept of a synagogue/center, a place of worship and social activities,” he said. “It was the core of life in the Jewish community. The name change reflects this concept.”
Although the Freehold Jewish Center maintains a classical approach to its traditions, it also regards the future as a time of spiritual growth. The synagogue’s small, daily chapel stands as an example, Greene said.
The chapel is named for David Oglensky, a synagogue member and army lieutenant who was killed during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Shortly after his death, his family members donated the chapel and constructed its benches and ark by hand.
“The chapel is a symbol of our past, present, and future,” said Greene. “It was created in honor of a young man who died serving his country. Our members have worshiped and studied there ever since. Our Jewish traditions and culture will be observed there by the next generation. This is an example of the spirit of continuity that has always been a part of this congregation.”
by Jill Huber
NJJN Bureau Chief/Monmouth
When Congregation Agudath Achim Anshai Freehold was chartered in 1911, the Orthodox synagogue was housed in a small room above a store in the Main Street area.
The congregation, now housed at Broad and Stokes streets after moving several times throughout the years, continues to maintain its links to the past while preparing for the future.
The synagogue, now called Freehold Jewish Center, will celebrate its 95th anniversary with a dinner-dance on Sunday, June 25.
The synagogue reflects the colorful history of the community, according to Rabbi Kenneth Greene, who has been the religious leader at the center for the past nine years.
The congregation actually dates back to 1909, when Jewish merchants and farm families fleeing religious persecution in Russia and Poland began to settle in the area. They formed a group called the Freehold Hebrew Association; two years later, in July 1911, a charter was drawn up for an Orthodox synagogue, and the group officially chose Agudath Achim Anshai Freehold as its name. The English translation is a bit loose; the words mean “group of brothers” and “people of Freehold.”
By 1911, the congregation had a membership of 40 families and relocated to a private home on First Street; they rented a small hall on Main Street for High Holy Day observances. Raphael Riemer, who came to Freehold from Russia in 1906, was the synagogue’s first acting rabbi and cantor (six rabbis have served as the congregation’s religious leaders since the founding).
The group soon purchased a lot on First and Center streets and erected a small wooden building (construction costs were approximately $1,000); the synagogue’s religious school began at that location in 1914. Dues were $6 per year.
During the next 10 years, membership continued to grow and a sisterhood was formed in 1920. During the next several years, a mikva was built below the synagogue, a second floor was added, and the basement was converted into a recreation area. By 1943, however, with a membership of 100, the synagogue needed larger quarters and raised money to purchase the tract where it currently stands. A ground-breaking ceremony took place in 1947, and by 1950, the building was operational.
The synagogue was expanded in 1973, with the addition of classrooms and offices and the extension of the sanctuary. In addition to the sanctuary, there are now 12 classrooms, a banquet hall, youth lounge, social hall, library, and daily chapel.
The synagogue grew with the surrounding Jewish community. During the 1920s, social activities blossomed, along with a Jewish Boy Scout troop and the establishment of a YMHA.
In addition to farmers, congregants were now merchants, attorneys, and doctors. Many stores on Main Street were owned by Jews, some of them members of the synagogue. Congregants built homes in town and referred to their synagogue as “the center of life,” according to Greene.
“Their businesses, homes, and synagogue were all here,” he said. “That made them active members of the Freehold community. Freehold was a unique, pluralistic community and was a place where different cultures and religions could coexist. Each group maintained its own sense of identity, but all worked together for the good of the community.”
During the 1930s, however, when the country was in the midst of the Great Depression, many of the synagogue’s member families fell on hard times. Records show that the synagogue tried to offer food and other types of assistance to members in need.
The population in western Monmouth County grew substantially during the 1940s, but not all residents extended a warm welcome. The Ku Klux Klan had become active in the Howell Township area, and members of Agudath Achim, armed with shotguns, regularly patrolled the synagogue grounds to ensure that the Klan did not venture onto the property.
At its peak during the 1950s and 1960s, synagogue membership reached 400; at present, 260 families belong to the synagogue. Many, including the Sagotsky, Oglensky, Friedman, Niemtzow, and Zlotkin families, are direct descendents of the founding families.
Spirit of continuity
Congregation Agudath Achim changed its name to the Freehold Jewish Center during the 1960s; the name change also mirrored the times, Greene said.
“In the 1960s, there was a growing concept of a synagogue/center, a place of worship and social activities,” he said. “It was the core of life in the Jewish community. The name change reflects this concept.”
Although the Freehold Jewish Center maintains a classical approach to its traditions, it also regards the future as a time of spiritual growth. The synagogue’s small, daily chapel stands as an example, Greene said.
The chapel is named for David Oglensky, a synagogue member and army lieutenant who was killed during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Shortly after his death, his family members donated the chapel and constructed its benches and ark by hand.
“The chapel is a symbol of our past, present, and future,” said Greene. “It was created in honor of a young man who died serving his country. Our members have worshiped and studied there ever since. Our Jewish traditions and culture will be observed there by the next generation. This is an example of the spirit of continuity that has always been a part of this congregation.”