Bay City Daily Times
May 4, 1929
Page 5

Jews Boast Grand Temple

        Perhaps among the smaller and more recently erected churches of the city, the most beautiful is the Temple of Abraham.  This synagogue, erected by a mere handful of the orthodox Jews here, is located on Jackson street between Tenth and Eleventh streets.
        The Temple of Abraham is one of the three Jewish churches of the city;  there is another orthodox synagogue and a temple erected by the reformed Jews.  It is among the more recent of the churches of the city, its history dating back to but 1914.  It represents considerable sacrifice and work on the part of the Jewish people who belong to the congregation that supports it and founded it.   At one time there was a quite large colony of orthodox Jews in the city.  This colony, however, during the past few years has dwindled considerably, and neither of the orthodox churches boasts a very large congregation.
        It was during the time that the colony started to dwindle that the Temple of Abraham congregation was formed.   A mere handful of men, intent on the purpose of erecting a new and more beautiful synagogue, banded together in January and lad the foundation and plans for the new congregation.   It was on January 25, 1914, that this meeting was held.   There was no delaying at the meeting.   They set to work to form an organization and laid the plans for the erection of the temple.   Thomas E. Miller was named president and the other officers who formed the charter head of the organization were: H. Helper, vice-president; J. Beckman, secretary, and H. Hirschfield, treasurer.   The men present at the meeting and the original charter members of the congregation were: A. Hirschfield, M. Levenson, William Hutton, Max Kern, M. Goldin, S. Scheidemann, D. Lutren, M. Hirshorn, W. Goldberg, J. Brenner, R. Biller, J. Blumlo, R. Goldin, M. Fivenson, P. Goldman, J. Beckman, J. Ginsberg, N. Hirshorn, and S. Symon.
        The contract for the erection of the temple was let to James J. Kerns and Sons of Saginaw, on April 27, 1914, a short time after the land at 259 North Jackson street had been purchased.   Work was started immediately and within two months the cornerstone had been laid and work on the upper structure began.
        In the fall of the year the temple was completed and ready for services.   With their synagogue ready the parishioners sent out a call for a rabbi to minister at their parish.  Rabbi A. M. Feirstein was given the call and accepted.   He came here in time for the holy days of the fall of the year of 1914.
        It was during the Rev. Feirstein's pastorate that the congregation began to grow with rapid strides.   It was financially successful, and the orthodox Jews of the city boasted a temple that compared favorably with any in cities the size of Bay City throughout the country.
        Rabbi Feirstein remained here until 1916, and was succeeded by Rabbi K. Sable, who also remained at the synagogue for two years.  He in turn was succeeded by Rabbi M. Katz, a venerable minister and cantor, beloved by his parish.  Rabbi Katz remained in the pastorate of the temple until the time of his death a little more than two years ago.
        With the death of Rabbi Katz, the congregation obtained the services of Rabbi Harris Wolenski.  He remained in charge of the temple for two years, to be succeeded by Rabbi M. Glantz.
        Rabbi Glantz was not a stranger among the Jewish people of the city.  Some six months previously he concluded a pastorate of two years at the Schaary Zedeck synagogue, another of the orthodox Jewish churches of the city, and during his pastorate there won for himself a host of friends.
        Rabbi Glantz, in addition to minister to his flock, also is a cantor.  He has a wonderful voice, and is very well versed in the Jewish hymns and chants.
        The present officers of the Temple of Abraham congregation are: George Kahn, president, Morris Goldberg, vice-president, Alex Kahn, secretary, and Phillip Koffman, treasurer.  The congregation, although not large, is quite flourishing, and their work during their few years of existence, has a monument in the beautiful temple in which they worship.