5. This small group rented a store on Nostrand Avenue in 1931 which served as their first Synagogue, with Edward I. Herbet as president.
6. This small group rented a store on Nostrand Avenue in 1931 which served as their first Synagogue, with Edward I. Herbet as president. Starting as a Modern Orthodox Synagogue, The Madison Jewish Center joined the Conservative Movement a few years later
7. In 1933, a site was selected on the eastern side of Nostrand Avenue, off Burnett Street, and a new Synagogue was constructed.
10. The congregation’s first spiritual leader, Rabbi Mordicai Simckes, was engaged in 1935. He was succeeded, in 1938, by Rabbi Hyman Solomon who continued in the development of the steady growth of the center.
11. By 1942 about 150 families were affiliated with The Madison Jewish Center.
12. By 1942 about 150 families were affiliated with The Madison Jewish Center. The Hebrew School expanded its staff to four full time teachers, including the rabbi.
13. By 1942 about 150 families were affiliated with The Madison Jewish Center. The Hebrew School expanded its staff to four full time teachers, including the rabbi. A Cantor was engaged adding dignity and musical beauty to the services, and a volunteer choir augmented the services with beautiful renditions of our sacred music.
14. During this period a Men’s Club was formed, and a publication committee devoted itself to the monthly publication as a means of communication within the center and its membership.
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18. With a membership of over 200 families, and a school with 250 students, it was time for Madison to make its move to expand. On April 2, 1949 Madison celebrated its Chai (18 th ) year by planning to build a new sanctuary.
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20. In 1951 the cornerstone of the new Synagogue was laid on the adjoining site of the original building.
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24. Engraved in stone on the outside wall of the new Synagogue is the prophetic saying: “ And I have built this house in honor of the eternal, the God of Israel” (1 st Kings 8:20)
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26. In 1952 Rabbi Joshua Lindenberg was called to the pulpit of Madison Jewish Center, beginning an exciting era of increased membership and Hebrew School attendance
36. As we entered the decade of the nineties, Rabbi Elliot J. Winograd became our spiritual leader
37. As we entered the decade of the nineties, Rabbi Elliot J. Winograd became our spiritual leader. One of his priorities was education, and he was involved with both the Hebrew School and the Adult Education program.
38. Through the initiative of Howard Madans, president, a Holocaust Torah was secured from Pisek, Czechoslovakia.
39. Transfer of the Torah from the brutal, defeated Nazi regime, to its new home here at Madison was undertaken by Elayne and Burt Schildkraut, who flew to England to bring the Torah back for the congregation.
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41. The ceremonies began with a parade through the neighborhood with the emancipated Torah in the forefront. Services in our sanctuary were led by Rabbi Winograd and Cantor Rimer. Speeches by elected officials, a Catholic Monsignor, and a Methodist Priest concluded a most ecumenical service .
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43. Rabbi Paltiel Roff was called to the Bima of Madison Jewish Center. It took just a short time for him to win the hearts and minds of the congregation with his friendly nature, and his love of education for the children and adults. His Hebrew Class of twenty women resulted in a full Saturday Bat Mitzvah for five women. This glorious day and event was a first for Madison.
44. Madison Jewish Center elected its first woman president, Linda Bell, in 1997. She provided two years of hands on management, compassion and action, and paved the way for the future female presidents of our congregation.
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46. Suddenly, in November of 1997 Rabbi Paltiel Roff was struck with a massive heart attack. Over three hundred congregants, family and friends, attended the solemn and sad funeral services in our sanctuary.
47. The resolve to create a living memorial to our late beloved Rabbi resulted in the establishment of an endowment fund. The fund provides a yearly stipend for educational uses. An illuminated plaque in the Rabbi’s honor is mounted in our main sanctuary .
48. Cantor Rimer helped us through the difficult time after Rabbi Roff’s death. He continued to serve as Cantor while taking on many of the responsibilities of a Rabbi as we searched for a suitable replacement for our beloved Rabbi Roff.
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50. Rabbi Kane has been a tremendous supporter of all our events, even helping out in our fundraising efforts. Madison continued with religious, social, and community outreach projects.
51. The twenty first century has seen a decline in Conservative Judaism in our area, but the spirit and strength of Madison Jewish Center continues to be strong. Let’s take a look down memory lane to see some of the activities of MJC during the last couple of decades. How many of these activities do you remember? How many have you been a part of?
