Our History
Our History
Since its establishment in 1916, Beth Israel Congregation has had a decisive influence on Jewish life in Washtenaw County. For a long time, it was the only Jewish congregation in Ann Arbor.
The congregation began informally by celebrating the Jewish High Holidays in the home of furrier Osias Zwerdling. For the next 40 years Mr. Zwerdling served as President of the congregation. Over the course of that time, Beth Israel functioned as the sole Jewish congregation in Ann Arbor, serving a diverse congregation in a traditional fashion.
The congregation, like many in smaller towns, continued without a Rabbi, hiring various functionaries who wore several hats at the same time: very often that of the Hebrew teacher, the schochet (kosher slaughterer), and the cantor. The first employee, Reverend Pincus Gropstein was paid a salary of $18 (Chai) per week to serve the 30 families of the congregation.
The congregation’s first ordained Rabbi was Rabbi Joshua Sperka who served from 1932 – 1934. Afterwards, the congregation occasionally had a Rabbi, and at times the congregation made do without one, sustained by a wonderful spirit of volunteerism.
Beth Israel’s Many Firsts
Beth Israel was one of the first conservative congregations in southeast Michigan to become an egalitarian congregation, and the first congregation in the country to choose a woman president. Participation in leading or chanting the service is an important part of the culture of the congregation. Its relaxed and comfortable services reflect Ann Arbor’s diversity.
Today
Beth Israel keeping the pace of growth alongside Ann Arbor has successfully met the challenges of expansion and change, always seeking to meet the needs of its diverse membership. Prior to moving to its current location in 1978, the congregation met in different homes, and at one time shared a building with the Hillel Foundation. The longest serving rabbis were:
- Rabbi Julius Weinberg (*1952-1961)
- Rabbi Allan Kensky (*1971-1988)
- Rabbi Robert Dobrusin (*1988 – 2018)
- Rabbi Nadav Caine (*2018 - present)
Beth Israel Congregation is proud of its past and looks confidently to the future as a strong and proactive Conservative congregation.
For more information on the history of Ann Arbor's Jewish Community, please visit the Celebrating Our Stories: Jewish Life in Ann Arbor website which can be found by clicking here.
*years of rabbinical service at Beth Israel
Fri, April 26 2024
18 Nisan 5784
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Today's Sefirah Count Is 3
היום שלשה ימים לעמר |
Today's Calendar
Chol Hamoed Pesach |
Office Closes at Noon |
Friday Evening Services - In-person and on Zoom : 6:00pm |
Aura of Kabbalat Shabbat : 6:00pm |
Candle Lighting : 8:15pm |
Friday Night
Friday Evening Services - In-person and on Zoom : 6:00pm |
Aura of Kabbalat Shabbat : 6:00pm |
Candle Lighting : 8:15pm |
Shabbat Day
Shabbat Service - In-person and on Zoom : 9:30am |
Havdalah : 9:13pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Apr 26 |
Apr 26 Aura of Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, Apr 26 6:00pm |
Apr 29 Office Closed for Passover Monday, Apr 29 |
Apr 29 Pesach Morning Service Monday, Apr 29 9:30am |
Apr 30 Office Closed for Passover Tuesday, Apr 30 |
Candle Lighting
Friday, Apr 26, 8:15pm |
Havdalah
Motzei Shabbat, Apr 27, 9:13pm |
Chol Hamoed Pesach
Friday, Apr 26 |