Freehold Jewish Center

"Congregation Agudath Achim Anshai" redirects here. For similarly named congregations, seeAgudas Achim.

Freehold Jewish Center; Congregation Agudath Achim
Façadeof the Freehold Jewish Center
Religion
Affiliation	Judaism
Rite	Unaffiliated
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Synagogue
Leadership	Rabbi Ira Samuel Grussgott
Status	Active
Location
Location	59 Broad Street,Freehold Borough,New Jersey
Location inNew Jersey
Geographic coordinates	40°15′31″N74°16′48″W
Architecture
Date established	1911(as a congregation)
Groundbreaking	1947
Completed	1916(First Street) 1957(Broad Street)
Website
freeholdjc.org

TheFreehold Jewish Center,also referred to as "Congregation Agudath Achim",is anunaffiliatedJewishcongregation andsynagogue,located inFreehold,New Jersey,in the United States. The congregation was founded in 1911 and it completed its first synagogue building by 1916, and its current building in 1957, with an additions to the current building completed in 1973.

Eli Fishman was the congregation'srabbifrom 1970 to 1997. He was succeeded by Kenneth Greene, who served for 13 years. As of September 2016, the Rabbi is Ira Samuel Grussgott, and the president is Jeffrey Malkin.

History

Early history

In July 1911, a charter was drawn up for the formation of anOrthodoxsynagogue namedCongregation Agudath Achim Anshai.Many of the founders had immigrated to the United States fromRussiaandPoland.Raphael Riemer, who immigrated to Freehold from Russia in 1906, was the synagogue’s first rabbi and cantor.Louis Finegold, a local merchant, was the first President of the synagogue.In 1911, the synagogue had a membership of 40 families.

The synagogue was first built at a land and construction cost of approximately $1,000, as a 32 by 50 feet (9.8 m × 15.2 m)wooden structure on the corner of First Street and Center Street in Freehold between 1911 and 1916, by the Freehold Hebrew Association, which had been established in 1894.The synagogue's religious school started at that location in September 1914.Dues were $6 ($170 today).The synagogue added a second floor to the building in 1916.

The synagogue formed a sisterhood in 1920, and that year amikvawas constructed below the synagogue.The synagogue also established a cemetery onRoute 33in Freehold, which it has maintained for more than 90 years.

1940–2000

In the 1940s, theKu Klux Klanbecame active in theHowell Townshiparea, and members of the synagogue regularly patrolled the synagogue grounds armed with shotguns to protect it against Klan members.An old Torah on display in the synagogue was rescued from a ruined synagogue in Italy by World War II veteran Jack Steinberg and later restored.Synagogue membership had grown to 100 families by 1943,and 184 families by 1950.

During the 1950s and 1960s, synagogue membership in the synagogue reached 400.It changed its name to Freehold Jewish Center in the 1960s.Rabbi Eli Fishman was the synagogue'srabbifrom 1970 until his retirement in 1997.He was succeeded by Rabbi Kenneth Greene, who retired in 2011. In 2011, the synagogue was led by Rabbi Dr. Tal Sessler.

21st century

In 2002, the synagogue commissioned the writing of a newtorah scroll,for $30,000.The following year, it was one of a number of area synagogues that took part in helping fund the building of a new home for a family, under the auspices of the Freehold AreaHabitat for Humanity.In April 2003, the synagogue named its chapel the Oglensky Chapel, after David Oglensky, a synagogue member and soldier who had been a lieutenant and commander in the 740th TankBattalionof theU.S. First Armykilled in theBattle of the Bulge,who for his gallantry was awarded posthumously thePurple Heartand theSilver Star.Family members had constructed the synagogue's ark and benches by hand after his death.

In 2006, the synagogue had a membership of 260 families.By 2010, membership had fallen to 175 families.

In 2011, to commemorate its centennial year, the synagogue planned a series of events.Past president Jerry Einhorn said: “I think it’s absolutely wonderful we have reached our 100th year. It’s a beautiful synagogue, and I look forward to its next 500 years.”That year marked Greene's 13th and final year as the congregation's rabbi.

As of 2016 the congregation's Rabbi is Ira Samuel Grussgott, the Cantor is Aron Heller, the Executive Director is Marvin Krakower and the President is Jesse Glick.

Broad Street Synagogue building

Ground was broken in 1947 for a new synagogue, on lots measuring 175 by 250 feet (53 by 76 m) that were purchased in 1943 and 1945, responding to the need for a larger facility.In 1957, the new synagogue was completed on the corner of Broad Street and Stokes Street.The synagogue was dedicated on August 25, 1957, with GovernorRobert B. Meynerand his wife as guests of honor.David Metz was president of the synagogue at the time.In 1973, an addition was added to the synagogue, containing classrooms and offices, and expanding the sanctuary.

The synagogue's sanctuary and extension are flanked in beautifulstained glasswindows.The building also houses 12 classrooms, social halls, a 350-person formal ballroom, a youth lounge, a library, a smaller chapel, and kosher kitchens.

See also

• Synagogues in the United States

External links

• Freehold Jewish Center website
• Freehold Jewish Center facebook page
• 70 years of Jewish life in Freehold: 70th year, Congregation Agudath Achim, Broad St., Freehold, N.J.,Congregation Adugath Achim (Freehold, N.J.)
• 75th diamond jubilee anniversary, April 12th, 1986,Congregation Agudath Achim (Freehold, N.J.), 1986