BETH
EL TEMPLE |
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BETH
EL TEMPLE |
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The first Jewish Synagogue in all Southeast Missouri was Beth-El Temple, built in Flat River, 405 W. Main Street, in 1925-26. The cornerstone was laid Dec. 27th, 1925 with an impressive service conducted by Rabbi Julian Miller of St. Louis [see article below]. During the past year another Synagogue has been erected in Southeastern Missouri, at Cape Girardeau and these two are the only Synagogues in Southeast Missouri.
The Beth-El Temple, one of the most beautiful buildings in Flat River was dedicated Oct. 24th, 1926 with Rabbi Louis Witt of St. Louis as the principal speaker.
The present officers are: Max Manesberg, president; Sam Miller, vice president; Meyer Nudelman, secretary; Jack DeHovitz, treasurer; Mrs. J. Goodman, president of the Beth-El Sisterhood. In addition to the officers, the following families are numbered among the membership: Leadwood--Mr. and Mrs. Phil Sherman, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Goodman; Desloge--Mr. and Mrs. M. Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kirshon, Mr. and Mrs. Max Manesberg; Bonne Terre--Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Nudleman, Mr. and Mrs. A. Gordon, Mr. and Mrs. A. Goodman, Mr. and Mrs. H. Sklar, Mr. and Mrs. D. Moskowitz; Flat River--Mr. and Mrs. J. A. DeHovitz, Mrs. Pauline Silverman, Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Mergentheimer, Mr. and Mrs. A. Tucker, Mrs. S. Goodman.
The Temple does much in the field of charity, both local and foreign. As an illustration of foreign charity undertaken by the local group during the past year, the Temple sent funds to the Joint Distribution Committee at New York for relief of the opressed in Germany.
The Beth El Sisterhood is a womans organization formed to assist in Church activities and finances and to do charitable work through the country.
A Sunday School, with a present enrollment of about 16 children is conducted in the Temple. This group is taught by Jules Nodel of St. Louis.
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Last Sunday afternoon was one of the coldest experienced in this district for a number of years, but even in the face of this discouraging fact, a large number of people turned out for the ceremonies marking the cornerstone laying of Beth El synagogue, the new Jewish temple, being erected on West Main street, Flat River. Due to the low temperature, which prevailed, the program, which had been planned for outdoors, was given in the Presbyterian Church directly across the street from the new temple. All services were held there except the final brief ceremony of actually placing the stone.
The program, both interesting and entertaining, was carried out in full with the single exception of an address by Judge Hartman, prominent jurist and leader in Masonic circles of St. Louis. Because of illness, Judge Hartman was unable to attend and sent his sincere regrets. Greetings to the new member of Flat River's church family were extended by the Rev. E. M. Romine, pastor of the First Christian Church, Flat River, and the Rev. Fr. J. A. Cunningham, pastor of the Desloge and Rivermines Catholic churches. Samuel J. Rusack of St. Louis acted as master of ceremonies and carried the program through in splendid style. The principal address of the occasion was delivered by Rabbi Julian Miller, prominent St. Louisan, and his talk was a delight to his hearers. Ladies, comprising the Ladies Auxiliary of the Beth El organization, took part in the ceremony with a song service, and the inside services were concluded with the singing of "America" by the audience.
In the cornerstone, which was placed immediately following the services, was placed a copy of last week's issue of The Lead Belt News, a page each from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Globe-Democrat, names of charter members of Beth El organization and the Ladies Auxiliary and a copy of B'Nai Brith, a Jewish paper of the current month.
Beth El will be of pleasing architectural lines, as will be noted from the cut which we are printing in this issue. It will be sufficient to accommodate members, not only in this immediate vicinity, but many additional from Southeast Missouri, who have formerly been forced to go to St. Louis upon occasions marked by special religious ceremonies in the Jewish faith. It is a welcome addition to our long list of churches and will fill a long-felt want for those who have brought it into existence.
The Beth-El Sisterhood held a meeting at the temple in Flat River, Monday evening. There was the regular election of officers. The following were elected:
Mrs. Mergentheimer is the retiring president and she was elected as a delegate from this Sisterhood to the state convention which is to be held in Joplin this fall. Mrs. Meyer Huddleman of Bonne Terre, is the chairman for the summer activities.
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