CHAPTER XII.

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CHURCHES, RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, HOSPITALS AND CHARITIES

HEBREW CONGREGATIONS

ANSHEI CHESED HEBREW REFORM CONGREGATION

    Anshei Chesed Hebrew Reform Congregation was organized in September, 1878.  Services were held in a lodge room on Water street until 1884 when they purchased their present temple on Adams street from a German Lutheran society, which had previously used it as a house of worship.  Originally the congregation numbered about 25 male, paying members, but as the number of Jewish families in the city increased the membership increased.   In 1884 the congregation divided on questions regarding the manner of conducting the services, so that now the male paying membership is only what is was at the beginning.  There are about 50 members of the congregation .   Dr. Wolff Landau was the first rabbi, and served the congregation until his death, August 29,1903.  He was succeeded after a few months by Dr. F. W. Jesselson, who is still in charge.   He resides at Grand Rapids.   The society is free from debt.

SHAARY ZEDEK CONGREGATION

    In 1884 about 12 families who believed in adhering to the old forms and methods of conducting Hebrew worship with drew from the Anshei Chesed Reform Hebrew Congregation.  Their first meetings were held in a hall on Center avenue.  They continued there seven or eight years, and then moved into their present synagogue, which was built in 1889.  The edifice will seat about 500 people.   They have 45 voting members, while the congregation numbers about 500 souls.  In 1904 a private residence adjoining the synagogue was purchased, and is to be converted into a Hebrew free school.   This property is worth about $1,000.   The value of the synagogue, including furnishings, is at least $4,000.
    In 1882 Rabbi Samuel Levine came to the congregation.  He remained about three years and was followed by Rabbi Joseph Bernstein, who stayed two years.   Next came Rabbi Joseph Taub, who served the congregation about six years.   His successor was Rabbi L. Frisch, and after him Rabbi A. Rosenthal was here three years until 1903, when Rabbi Joseph Taub returned to the congregation and has remained since that time.