History
**The following is a part of a documented history of a rededication of
Sinai in 1951 when we moved into our first building.
Dedication of the New Sinai Synagogue,
June 15, 16, 17, 1951
The Sinai Story
Their first place of worship was at
Here Sinai dwelt and prospered for nine years. By 1944, however, it had
become obvious that the membership had grown to a point where the
The impetus for new facilities was furnished by Maurice Tucker, Julius Tucker, Ben Medow, Sam Berman, and Rabbi Maurice Parzen, and the congregation quickly put their shoulders to the wheel in the drive for funds.
In the meantime, the basement classrooms were declared unsafe, and for a year, while necessary adjustments were being made, the Y.W.C.A. generously donated many of their rooms for the use of our Sunday School classes.
Nevertheless, the campaign for funds was difficult. It is a tribute to
the extraordinary courage of Sinai’s leaders that the realization of
sufficient monies for the new building finally appeared on the horizon. Plans
for the structure were drawn, and on
The spiritual leadership of the congregation has been capably fulfilled by the following Rabbis: Rabbi Phillip Greenstein, Rabbi Hyman Cohen, Rabbi Maurice M. Parzen, Rabbi Harry Z. Schectman. In the fall of 1949, Rabbi William A. Orentlicher was elected to the pulpit of Sinai, and today heads the Synagogue.
In former years, the presiding officer was called the Chairman of the Board of Directors, but more recently, he has been called the President. Nine men have served with honor and distinction in that capacity: Jack Mooren, David New, Maurice Tucker, Sol Sandock, Julius Tishcoff, Sam Berman, Paul D. Gilbert, Harold Medow, and Ben Medow, our hard-working President since 1948.
Working side by side with the congregation always is the unfailing Sisterhood, greatly responsible for the fine achievements which are today Sinai’s. Invaluable leadership has been furnished by the following past presidents: Mrs. M.S. Fisher, Mrs. Meyer Paskin, Mrs. Isadore Richman, Mrs. Sol Sandock of beloved memory, Mrs. Max Ein, Mrs. Nathan Sutlin, Mrs. Jerome Vogel, Mrs. Sam Goldstein, Mrs. Harold Medow, Mrs. Sam Berman. Since 1949, the Sisterhood has been ably led by Mrs. Irving Mooren.
Under the skillful guidance of these groups Sinai has grown from that first handful of worshippers to a membership of two hundred and twenty-six families, and a Sunday School enrollment of one hundred and fifty-eight children.
Thus, in its comparatively short eighteen years, the rise of Sinai has been phenomenal. Its calendar is filled with numerous functions of the Sisterhood, the Men’s Club, Sunday School P.T.A., Adult Classes, and Sunday School classes. The well rounded program of religious, educational, social, and cultural activities are a credit to the young, energetic organization.
The vision and determination of its loyal leaders, the moral inspiration of its Rabbis, and the unceasing toil and honest devotion of its members have written the Sinai Story in stone and steel, with the hope that it will faithfully serve traditional Judaism and inspire the sons and daughters of Sinai in the ways of their fathers.
**Thanks to Mr. Silver for the following "History" of Sinai Synagogue.
Sinai Synagogue was dedicated to the "Traditional" mode of Jewish worship and was founded in June 1932 by twenty congregants who broke away from Hebrew Orthodox Congregation. The first place of worship was at 120 East Wayne Street on the second floor. From there, Sinai moved to the corner of Monroe and Michigan streets on the second floor. Faced with increasing size and the need for additional space, the congregation purchased a building at 410 West Jefferson and, for the first time, moved into a building of their own in 1935.
Sinai continued to grow and prosper. By 1944, Sinai was "busting at the seams" and outgrew their structure. The impetus for a new facility was furnished be Maurice Tucker, Julius Tucker, Ben Medow, Sam Berman, and Rabbi Maurice Parzen who initiated a drive for funds. In the meantime, Sunday School classes were being conducted at the YWCA who donated rooms for our use.
On August 19,1949 ground was broken by the Christman Construction Co. On June 11,1950 the cornerstone at LaSalle and Eddy was dedicated. In April 1951, Sinai opened its doors in the present building, and the congregation enthusiastically moved in.
The building was designed by architects Maurer and Maurer of South Bend.
**If YOU have information regarding the "History" of Sinai, please contact the WebMaster at webmaster@sinaisynagogue.org or mail your information to Sinai, 1102 East LaSalle Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617, in care of the WebMaster.
