Tribute Journal

REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL ring Celebration WeekSp end M AY 4th - 7th, 2 0 1 7 CELEBRATING OUR HISTORIC 170th BIRTHDAY HONORING THE ONGREGATION 20 celebrating 17 KI \"Century Club\" REFORM C years MEMBER FAMILILES FOR ISRAEL • 18 100 YEARS or MORE 47 • KENESETH

One of the original door handles from the Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel buildingat Broad Street and Columbia Avenue, Philadelphia. From the collection of the Temple Judea Museum. Currently on long term loan to the National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia, PA.

Sp ring Celebration Week end CELEBRATING OUR HISTORIC 170th BIRTHDAY HONORING THE KI \"Century Club\" MEMBER FAMILILES FOR 100 YEARS or MORE

2017 Spring Celebration WeekendSPRING CELEBRATION COMMITTEE Co- ChairsDenise Soloff & Robert Roseman Anne Brown Cantor Amy E. Levy Dick Brown Arnold Meshkov Fredlyn Brown Norma Meshkov Betty Cohen Diane Miller Lynore Eisman Murray MillerRobin Fine-Furman Rabbi Stacy Rigler Marc Furman Brian RissingerLiz Kaufman-Taylor Diane Rosenthal Leah Kimmet Jim Rosenthal Ann Klein Cohen Peter Soloff Dottie Klein Evonne Kruger Rabbi Lance J. Sussman Karen Langsfeld Liz Sussman Tracy Werner Andrea Yarnoff2 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017SPRING CELEBRATION COMMITTEE Patron Dessert Reception Donna & Stefan Keller Scotch Tasting Carey & Robert Roseman Silent Auction Sue & Gary Fried Tribute Journal Mark Pitkow Karen Sirota Elaine Pitkow Janice Schwartz-Donahue Jaimie Shmelzer David Pinsky Jack Myers Shabbat Dinner & Celebration Oneg Sonnie Katz & Patricia Nino Sunday Event Bonnie Klein Marketing Partners Paradigm Digital Color Graphics 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 3

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend Dear Friends, One of the main reasons I decided to come to KI sixteen years ago was because of the congregation’s illustrious past. The idea of working at an historic synagogue with rabbinic predecessors like David Einhorn and Joseph Krauskopf was thrilling to me. Although I had an inkling of the depth of KI’s heritage, it was not until I was here Rabbi Lance J. Sussman and could begin to explore the congregation’s past through its rich archives that I became fully aware of howincredible our congregation’s past has been. The opportunity to celebrate KI’s 170thyear has made that historic quest even more urgent.It would take a veritable encyclopedia of KI history to fully detail our congregation’sstory. From modest origins as Philadelphia’s fourth synagogue, to this area’s firstReform synagogue, to the dramatic decision to call the country’s leading rabbinicabolitionist to its pulpit, to the founding of the Orphans’ Guardian Society andthe founding of an agricultural college, to its leading role in the history of ReformJudaism and Reform Jewish music and to its incredible history of rabbinic andintellectual leadership, KI truly has no peer. Some of America’s most illustriousJewish families from the Annenbergs to the Guggenheims to the Rosenwalds havealso called KI their spiritual home. Indeed, we have so much to be proud of and topreserve for the future.4 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017More than anything else, it is the future of KI and Judaism in America whichis foremost today. We are the incubator, the cradle, the nursery of tomorrow’sprogressive Judaism in the United States. Our educational and youth programs fromPreschool to Confirmation are second to none. We strive toward student engagementand longtime commitment. I believe we are succeeding. Our students are bothwell-prepared and enthusiastic about Jewish life as adults. For them and for ourancestors, we need to keep striving beyond our 170th to the distant future.At KI, we are very blessed to have both a rich past and promising future. Today, wecelebrate and renew ourselves. Tomorrow, it is back to the sacred work of teaching,nurturing and growing Judaism. At KI, we do it with love in our hearts and smiles onour faces.Thank you for your continued commitment to Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel!Sincerely,Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D.Senior Rabbi 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 5

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend Dear Friends, Mazal Tov on this wonderful honor of being part of our “Century Club.” Over the last 170 years our synagogue has had the vision to build a legacy for each generation to come. Like the music of our people, we have evolved throughCantor Amy E. Levy changing times, and we express the melody that resonates within this time. We are a synagogue, acommunity that answers the call for healing, prayer, comfort, learning andsocial justice.Thank you for continuing to be a part of our rich and beautiful legacy. Thank you forunderstanding the significance of membership and commitment to our community. May the light of the sanctuary shine on all of the memories you have in your heartand remind you of the blessings that we share at KI. I pray that you always know thegift of continuity, that you are part of a chain, generation to generation, that says:“Ashreinu Ma Tov Chelkeinu” - We are happy because of heritage, and our heritagecauses us deep and meaningful happiness forever.With much love and appreciation,Cantor Amy E. Levy6 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017 Dear Friends, According to the archives, “The purpose of the school [is] to bring pure religion to the minds of our youth and with careful cultivation to fill the hearts of our children with love and respect for their hereditary beliefs.” Though much has changed (including the German instruction, one teacher for 70 students, and annual exams), the core has stayed the same. For the past 14 years, I have tried to do my part to Rabbi Stacy E. Rigler fulfill this purpose. My work here at KI has been fulfilling,challenging and a true blessing in my life.Wherever I go, I speak about the tremendous honor that Peter and I have had toserve a congregation that is 170 years old. The tradition and heritage of this holycongregation lead to a rich, vibrant culture that exceeded any of my expectationswhen I arrived.We are blessed with an amazing facility and with warm, sincere and dedicatedcongregants who are diverse, creative and inspirational. I am honored each day toserve with a team of colleagues who are as committed to their work as our founderswere, and who are true mensches.Congratulations Keneseth Israel on the 170th Anniversary and to all our congregantswhose families have been a part of KI for 100 plus years. You have all shown a truecommitment to the Jewish community of Philadelphia.Sincerely,Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler,Director of religious education 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 7

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend Senior Staff Letters..... text here Brian D. Rissinger8 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017 Dear Friends, Although the average age of a student at the Richard E. Rudolph, Jr. Preschool at KI is around 3, we join with the whole congregation in celebrating KI’s 170th year! From its earliest years, KI has dedicated itself to the education of its youth. Soon after the Civil War with guidance from Rabbi Samuel Hirsch, KI organized the Orphans’ Guardian Society. Opposed to breaking upLiz Z. Sussman families and sending children to orphanages, except under the most extreme circumstances, scores of KI volunteers visited indigent families in their homes, providing themwith material and emotional support. While still on North Broad Street, KI pioneeredthe development of “Tot Lots” in the poorest sections of Philadelphia to providehealthy recreation for the children in those neighborhoods. However, it was notuntil 1957 when KI moved to Elkins Park that it opened its own Preschool, now in its60th year. In fact, we now have the children and grandchildren of Preschool alumniworking in our school.Perhaps more than in any part of KI’s multifaceted operation, our Preschoolrepresents the future of our congregation! The good news is that we are booming andhave over a hundred students of whom nearly half are Jewish and plan to be with thecongregation for many years. This is a startling change from just several years ago!Tot Shabbat, classroom Sukkot and school Seders all point to the powerful Jewishspirit in our school. It is also important to recognize the diversity of the students inour school who literally come from every walk of life and live harmoniously underKI’s roof. Hearing the songs, seeing the children’s artwork and seeing the love makesevery day at our Preschool a thrilling experience.From “downstairs” to “upstairs” at KI, a giant Mazal Tov to all. The KI Preschool isalive, well, busy and happy; the joyous Preschool of KI’s children and our future!Sincerely,Liz Z. SussmanDirector, Richard E. Rudolf, Jr. Preschool 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 9

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend Dear Generations of KI, I clearly remember that when we discussed the theme for our 170th anniversary celebration last spring, I expressed my opinion that the focus should be directly on us, the members and our stories. Rabbi Sussman suggested Toledot, the Generations of KI. Each of us is part of theEvonne J. Kruger chain of members who shaped and guided Keneseth Israel through seventeen decades. Whether you havebeen a member for four generations, four years, or four months you are part of theGenerations of KI.Every day our members step forward to serve on our boards and committees, tovolunteer for social action projects, sing in the choir, help with school projects, assistin the library, facilitate adult education programs, support the museum and concerts,attend our many services and programs – the list goes on and on. We are certainlyan engaged synagogue! As we all know, it takes a combination of volunteer talent,participation, dues and charitable contributions to operate effectively. So we thankthose of you who respond generously to help us supplement our dues to create thebroad range of activities for our diverse members – we could not do what we dowithout you!I thank all of the many volunteers who have given so much of their time and talentsorganizing and executing this Spring Celebration of the Generations of KI under theleadership of our incredible chairs Denise Soloff and Robert Roseman and those whohave contributed to this book. I also thank all who have participated in our SpringCelebration. Collectively you make Keneseth Israel such a wonderful, inclusive,relevant synagogue dedicated to meeting the needs of our members, the Jewishcommunity, and our local community.Thank you,Evonne Jonas Kruger, Ph.D.10 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017 Congratulations! COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNORGREETINGS: It is my honor to join with the Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Philadelphia incelebration of your 170th anniversary. 170 years ago, Keneseth Israel was founded as the first Reform synagogue in thePhiladelphia area. Since then, it has served its members and its community well, leaving anindelible impact on the hearts and minds of everyone its work has touched. By providing religiousservices, educating preschoolers, and helping to manage a collaborative of Jewish schools in thearea, Keneseth Israel is a tremendous benefit to the Reform Jewish community. In addition, therabbis of this congregation will long be remembered for founding Delaware Valley University,standing up for civil rights, and being noted scholars and teachers at some of our nation’s mostdistinguished universities. The synagogue has also supported a music program that has producedsome of the most influential and moving Jewish liturgical pieces played in the United States. I amsure that all of you are filled with pride when reflecting upon the contributions your rabbis andsynagogue community have made to our nation and our commonwealth. I am confident thatKeneseth Israel will be an inspiration to others for years to come. As Governor, and on behalf of all citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I extendmy best wishes to the members of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel for a memorable 170thanniversary celebration. TOM WOLF Governor May 5, 2017 1 7 0225TMHainBCaIpiRtolTBuiHldinDg | AHarYrisbuhrg,oPAn17o12r0 i| 7n17g.787T.25H00 |EFaxK717I.77“2.8C28E4 |NwwTw.pUa.gRov Y C L U B ” • 1 1

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May 4th - 7th, 2017 Congratulations! Dear Members of the Keneseth Israel Family: Your venerable Rabbi Emeritus is something of an authority on venerable congregations. As many of you know, I served for five years as rabbi of the oldest congregation in the Western Hemisphere, Congregation Mikve Israel-Emanuel of Curacao. From there I was called to Chicago’s KAM Temple. The initials KAM stand for Kehillat Anshe Maarav, i.e. Congregation of the Men of the West. Back in 1847, the year that KAM was founded (and, coincidentally, the year that KI was founded), the residents of Chicago thought of themselves as Jewish pioneers of the west, Rabbi Simeon Maslin in contrast to the already well-established Jewish communities inBoston, New York, Philadelphia and elsewhere along the eastern seaboard. To further supportmy claim of authority in the area of venerable institutions, I am a graduate of both the oldestuniversity and the oldest rabbinical seminary in America.If you were to add up the ages of all those venerable institutions, you would arrive at a figurewell over one thousand years, a millennium, almost forever. And with that word “forever” wecome to the theme of this message of congratulations. The thing that I have enjoyed the mostin the now 60 years of my rabbinic career has been teaching. So now, a lesson.There is an arcane Jewish pseudo-science called gematria. It consists of figuring out thenumerical value of Hebrew words and relating those words to other words of equal numericvalue. As you may know, each Hebrew letter has a numerical value; for example, alef equals one,bet equals two, yod equals ten, kuf equals one hundred and so on. I have long enjoyed fiddlingaround with gematria, and so when I was invited to write a letter for this 170th year journal, Iimmediately began looking for the Hebrew numerical equivalent for 170. Lo and behold, it is aHebrew word that should be familiar to you – l’olam – forever, as in Baruch shem k’vod malchutol’olam va-ed or ki l’olam hasdo – God’s lovingkindness endures forever.And so this is my wish and my prayer for our beloved and venerable Congregation KenesethIsrael: May this sacred institution of prayer, assembly, learning and good deeds endure l’olam –forever, and may all the members of the Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel family and theirdescendants l’olam be inspired to deeds of loving-kindness for the sake of humanity.Shalom,Simeon J. Maslin, D.Min.Rabbi Emeritus 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 1 5

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend Congratulations! Rabbi Michael J. Cook Not only did KI shape my way to the Rabbinate as a career, but it shaped my very existence.  My parents, who met and married at KI, were Samuel Cook, of blessed memory, who served KI as “Rabbi,” and my mother Ray M. Cook, who served as your music director -- both around 1940.   Rabbi Michael J. Cook, Ph.D. Bronstein Prof. of Judeo-Christian Studies Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion Cincinnati, OH16 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017 Congratulations! People have often asked when I decided to become a rabbi. Perhaps they expected some revelation or flash of insight. None of that. The answer was Confirmation year here at KI. We were blessed with outstanding teachers who saw the Confirmation year as a means of advancing our Jewish knowledge quotient in a serious way. Ezra Staples, Horace Stern and Rose Flomenhoft were gifted caring Jews who saw their mission to pass the flame of knowledge to the next generation. Rabbi Arnold Kaiman and Dr. Bert Korn, our rabbis, served as role models, a source of inspiration and were constantly Rabbi Richard F. Address challenging us. It was those Confirmation classes that awakenedthe feeling in me that led me to Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. I was fortunate to stayconnected to KI after Confirmation through the synagogue youth group and then, while atTemple University, advising KI’s youth group. That latter connection led to my involvementwith our Camp Harlam, a relationship that still stands.Throughout my undergraduate days, KI was part of my life. I recall Rabbi Kaiman taking meto the CCAR convention in 1964. He introduced me to a professor of his from Cincinnati andtold me to take every one of the classes that Dr. Rivkin would teach, as the experience would beeducationally transformative. I did and it was. Likewise, I was blessed that Dr. Korn, who wasmy sponsor to HUC, allowed me to do High Holy Day services at KI, for what was then a smallCenter City congregation. As an undergraduate I was honored to be asked to share the bimawith Dr. William Fineshriber.As I went through my HUC training, it was not unusual that a professor would refer to me and afew others as “KI boys”. The reputation of the congregation as a place of integrity, scholarshipand a pioneer in Reform Jewish life was well known at the College and around the movement.Still today, as I travel for my work, I encounter native Philadelphians or those who know of thecongregation and its reputation. I shall be eternally grateful for the Jewish foundation that thiscongregation provided me. It is, and shall always be, my “home” congregation.Thank you.Rabbi Richard F. Address, D.Min.Jewish Sacred Aging®www.jewishsacredaging.com 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 1 7

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend Congratulations! My grandmother Carrie Starr started taking me to Sabbath morn- ing services at Keneseth Israel when I was 3 years old. I loved the music, the prayers and the Rabbis. Everyone thought I could read because I memorized all the prayers. Many mornings I sat with the Confirmation Class and they played with me. Rabbi Fibelman said to my grandmother, “Please stop bringing Earl to services; he’s causing too much disturbance.” Rabbi Finschriber immediately said, “Carrie, continue to bring him; we’re going to make him a rabbi.”Rabbi Earl S. Starr Years later after ordination, I shared this story with Rabbi Fibel-man and we had a good laugh. My Sunday school experience was excellent. Some of the teach-ers, such as Miss Greenwald and Mrs. Flomenhof, made a lasting impression. My classmatescame from all over the city. Dr. Jerry Herman and Steve Ritt became lifelong friends.The greatest blessing of my life happened because of my family’s participation at KI. I met mywife Phyllis Tatcher Starr in 1947 in the Alumni building. As the old song says, “That was thestart of something big.”My cherished friend and teacher Dr. Bertram W. Korn officiated at our wedding on June 21,1953. God has blessed us with 3 wonderful children: Jerome, Steven and Wendy and 2 grand-daughters. The rabbis at KI added to my love for Reform Judaism.Dr. Fineshriber took a great interest in me when I was young. Dr. Korn continued to inspireand help me. He hired an Orthodox rabbi to continue my Hebrew education and prepare mefor HUC. The first Jewish book I read came from the KI library and later they gifted me withthe Jewish Encyclopedia. The sisterhood under Jean Bernheim’s leadership provided me withsome funds for my studies at HUC.This is just a brief overview of how KI influenced and helped me become a rabbi. Growing upwe sang KI’s anthem, which I will paraphrase it: “KI preceptor mine Keneseth Israel mentor andfriend thou art”. I’m proud to be part of KI’s tradition, I pray that the congregation, its rabbisand community will continue to grow and prosper. May they always inspire many lives as theyhave blessed mine.Rabbi Earl S. Starr18 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017 Congratulations! Dear KI, It’s been a long time, old friend. Do you remember the Hebrew Bazooka chewing gum the gift shop used to sell? One time in third grade I used all my allowance to buy the entire box. I bet I could read those Hebrew comics now. Do you remember when Janet used to run KIFTY Canteen and weAlex Kress would all hang out before religious school? My mom used to take my sister Alyssa and me to Fill-A-Bagel on our way to KI. I alwaysgot a toasted everything bagel with cream cheese and a Diet Peach Snapple. Mmmmmm. Doyou remember my Bar Mitzvah where I called my Pop-Pop from the bimah because he couldn’tbe there?Do you remember when my sixth grade class made a mosaic of the Ten Commandments? I wasproud of that. Do you remember Raymond, the Dallas Cowboys loving security guard? I missour banter over his misguided sports affiliations.Do you remember when Rabbi Peter Rigler tried to convince me to be a rabbi at 16? I thoughthe was crazy. Now I’m almost ordained. Do you remember when we went to the Darfur Rally inDC? I brought my two best friends with us. They’re married now. Do you remember my Poppy’sfuneral, when I stood on the bimah and said goodbye?We’ve been through a lot. You taught me that being Jewish is fun and also challenging. Youtaught me that nothing is more important than your community. You taught me the power ofJewish ritual. You taught me to stand up for what I believe. You provided me with fearless rolemodels in Rabbi Sussman, Cantor Levy and Rabbi Stacy. You led me, unbeknownst to myself,straight to the rabbinate.Thank you, KI. I’ll carry you with me forever. Happy 170th!Love,(Almost Rabbi) Alex Kress 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 1 9

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend Congratulations!April 10, 2017Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D.Reform CongregationKeneseth Israel8339 Old York RoadElkins Park, PA 19027Dear Dr. Sussman,On behalf of the entire Delaware Valley University (DelVal) family, its Board of Trustees, alumniand friends, it is a great pleasure to offer my heartfelt congratulations on the upcomingcelebration of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel’s (KI’s) 170th anniversary on May 5, 2017.KI and DelVal have an important Wigure in common: Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf, Ph.D., our founderand the longest-serving rabbi at KI. Thus, it comes as no surprise that so many of the values thathelped shape KI and are still alive and well today are also shared by DelVal—in particular, apassion for serving the community and a spirit of social justice and diversity.Dr. Krauskopf helped KI grow to be the largest Jewish congregation in the U.S. for a time, andwent on to continue giving back to the Delaware River Valley by establishing DelVal as aninstitution where poor urban youth could gain training in agriculture and science. In his tenurewith both KI and DelVal, he epitomized a spirit of service and generosity that has helped somany succeed along the paths they set out for themselves.The work KI has continued to do throughout the years is very much an inspiration to those ittouches—including DelVal, as we embrace even more ways to better serve our surroundingcommunity. The Congregation’s commitment to serving the food insecure, maintaining acommunity garden, and establishing a task force to address social justice have established KI asa leader in the area, truly at the intersection of tradition and innovation.KI’s legacy, community track record, and forward-thinking Reform rabbinate are deserving ofmuch recognition and celebration. We at DelVal salute your achievement, and look forward toserving alongside you.Sincerely,Maria Gallo, Ph.D. Mr. Majid AlsayeghPresident Chair, Board of Trustees20 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

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Pictured above, KI founding document March 2, 1847 170 YEARS OF HISTORY Keneseth Israel

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend “Hazak, Hazak v’Nithazek: A BRIEF HISTORY OFREFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL, 1847-2017 Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D. Senior RabbiThere is an old and venerable custom in the synagogue that when a Book of the Torahis completed, the congregation calls out ““Hazak, Hazak v’Nithazek,.” It means “bestrong, be strong and let us strengthen one another.” As we now celebrate our 170thyear as a congregation, it would seem particularly appropriate to use these samewords as we look back at where we have come from and then turn to the future forthe work ahead. To better understand our journey and the road before us, a new andcontextually enhanced history of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, 1847-2017, isin order.The founding of Keneseth Israel is best understood in the context of a sharp increasein Jewish immigration from Germany to the United States during the 1840s. Insearch of a spiritual home for themselves and other new immigrants, nearly 50German Jewish families, not fully at ease in Philadelphia’s three existing synagoguesmet early in March 1847 to create a “synagogue for everybody,” that is, KenesethIsrael, the “Assembly of [All of] Israel” to suggest a new spirit of inclusivity for thecity’s most recently arrived Jewish immigrants. Led by an intellectual entrepreneurand newspaper publisher, Julius Stern, they quickly attracted other immigrants fromBavaria, mostly owners of small businesses, and launched a lay-led traditionalGerman style synagogue. An education program for children was established in 1849.The prior year, 1848, witnessed liberal revolutions across Europe. Jewish politicalactivists, particularly from Germany, increasingly sought asylum in the United Statesbringing their liberal politics with them. Closely associated with their progressivepolitical views was their interest in religious reform. By 1855, a small group of Jewishreligious liberals in Philadelphia came together to create a Reform Religious Soci-ety. The ever-adroit Julius Stern reached out to them and offered them a home at KI.Apparently Stern correctly understood the internal evolution of his synagogue andthe two groups easily combined forces. A rapid process of Reform from within hadbegun and proved irrepressible. A combined effort to recruit one of Europe’s most24 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017prominent Reform rabbis, David Einhorn, failed. Although Einhorn decided to goto Baltimore, he remained in touch with KI and helped them bring the music of theemerging European Reform movement to KI with its emphasis on mixed choirs andorgan arrangements. The same year, KI published a German language hymnal to pro-mote congregational singing. The practice of Confirmation was adopted in 1859 andin 1860, KI adopted Einhorn’s radical German prayer book, Olat Tamid, and used itfor its services for nearly 30 years.As American politics polarized around the issues of slavery, states’ rights and union,pro-South Baltimore became increasingly inhospitable to Rabbi Einhorn. KI, nowheaded by an Abolitionist President, Abraham Kaufman, successfully recruited Ein-horn (1809-1879) in 1861. Unrestrained by his new congregation, Einhorn spoke force-fully against slavery and attracted members to the congregation. In 1864, with theCivil War raging, KI built its first major building at North Sixth and Marshall Streets,an impressive structure in the heart of Philadelphia’s German Jewish neighborhood.Known as the “Abolitionist Temple,” it later became a Labor Lyceum hall and servedas a major venue for organized labor and progressive politics in Philadelphia forseveral generations.The year after giving his historic eulogy for the slain President Lincoln (in German),Einhorn left Philadelphia for New York in search of a larger venue for his work. Hewas succeeded by an equally distinguished but even more radical Reform rabbi, Dr.Samuel Hirsch (1815-1889). Hirsch, who had been serving as the Chief Rabbi of Lux-embourg, was well known for his advanced philosophical writings on Reform Juda-ism. Although related to Einhorn through the marriage of their children, the two mendid not get along and had a heated public disagreement over Hirsch’s liberal view ofrabbinic officiation at mixed marriages. Hirsch hosted the first national meeting ofReform rabbis in the United States in his Philadelphia home in 1869 where the twomen further collided. They also disagreed about membership in the newly formedUnion of American Hebrew Congregations which KI finally joined in 1878, five yearsafter it was first organized. Neither Hirsch nor Einhorn cared for the UAHC’s found-er Rabbi Isaac M. Wise nor his more moderate view of American Reform Judaism.Hirsch also founded the first American chapter of the international French relieforganization, the Alliance Israelite Universelle (first established in 1860 by AdolpheCremiuex), and a local Orphans’ Guardian Society, the first of KI’s many local social 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 2 5

2017 Spring Celebration Weekendjustice projects. In 1887, Hirsch was compelled to retire by the congregation andmoved to join his son, Emil Hirsch, a leading Reform rabbi in Chicago, where he diedtwo years later.By the 1880s, the cultural situation of Philadelphia and of KI was changing rapid-ly. Within the congregation, the adult children of the founding generation wantedthe congregation to adopt their native English as the language of congregationalbusiness and worship. Externally, increasing numbers of East European Jews werebeginning to arrive in Philadelphia, first through Port Dickinson and later through theEmigration State at Pier 53 in South Philly. Moreover, KI’s membership wasphysically on the move gravitating westward to North Broad Street in and aroundthe new campus of Temple University. North Broad Street was quickly becoming the“Fifth Avenue” of Philadelphia and was attracting numerous Jewish and cultural orga-nizations. By contrast, the western suburbs beyond City Avenue were restricted andunavailable to Jewish settlement. The time had arrived to reinvent KI from a Germanimmigrant to an American congregation in Philadelphia’s rapidly growing affluentNorth Broad Street corridor.The person chosen to lead the transformation of the congregation was a young,energetic rabbi, Joseph Krauskopf (1858-1923), German-born but American raised,Krauskopf was committed to the radical reform program of Einhorn and Hirschbut recast as a modern American expression of Judaism. Already well known forhis public speaking abilities and popular publications, Krauskopf, a graduate of thefirst ordination class of the Hebrew Union College (1883), was a bold proponent ofevolution and did not object to the critical study of the Bible like the president of hisrabbinic school. Before coming to KI, Krauskopf had already sparked the writing ofthe classic statement of contemporary Reform Judaism, the 1885 Pittsburgh Platform,and was involved in a number of social welfare projects as rabbi of B’nai Jeshurun inKansas City.Arriving in Philadelphia in 1887, the young Krauskopf went right to work and in timebecame KI’s longest serving rabbi. He edited his own prayer book, an English lan-guage anthology vastly more radical than both Einhorn’s Olat Tamid and the soonto be standard Reform prayer book, the old Union Prayer Book, first issued in 1892.Under Krauskopf, KI remained a ritually unique Reform congregation. His weeklySunday discourses attracted thousands of listeners and were then published and sold26 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017on the street. Seemingly in perpetual motion, Krauskopf revived Philadelphia’sdefunct Jewish Publication Society turning it into America’s premier publisher ofclassic Jewish texts and contributed to its classic 1917 English translation ofHebrew scriptures.Under Krauskopf’s leadership, KI moved to North Broad Street above ColumbiaAvenue where it built a massive Vatican-like structure with a 1,700 seat sanctuary. Aneducational annex was subsequently built which also housed a “Free Library” in an-ticipation of Philadelphia’s public library system. Within the Jewish community, KIdemonstrated considerable influence when one of its leading members, Jacob Gimbelof the Gimbel Department Store family, became the first president of the PhiladelphiaJewish Federation in 1903. Despite Krauskopf’s radical Reform religious beliefs, hetoo was active with all sectors of Philadelphia Jewish life and played a leading role inthe first American Jewish Congress held in Philadelphia late in 1918 in preparationfor the Paris Peace talks at the end of World War I. Nearly 100 KI members served inthe American military during the “war to end all wars”. Five were killed.Krauskopf was a world traveller. He visited Germany regularly, and also traveled toIndia and the early kibbutzim in Turkish Palestine, reporting often on these journeys.His most famous trip was to Czarist Russia in 1894. Concerned about the increasingtide of East European Jewish immigrants to the United States, Krauskopf hopedto create a reverse flow of immigration into Siberia. Having failed to convince theRussian government of his plans, he sought the support of the Russian novelist LeoTolstoy. Meeting at Tolstoy’s estate, south of Moscow, the Russian Count convincedKrauskopf to encourage Jewish immigrants to travel to America and go into farm-ing, and to help them by offering farming education opportunities. These conver-sations led Krauskopf to raise funds to create in 1896 the National Farm School inDoylestown, PA (now called Delaware Valley University). It became the outstandingJewish-sponsored agricultural program in the U.S., as well as a general social upliftprogram and scientific education program. Today, “Del Val” and KI remain historical-ly connected, one of the greatest partnerships in the American Jewish experience.A progressive in every respect, Krauskopf maintained a personal relationship withPresident Theodore Roosevelt. A full scale 1919 Roosevelt Memorial Window, advisedby Philadelphia artist Violet Oakley, remains on display in the KI lobby to this day.Under Krauskopf, the role of women in the congregation expanded as well; first, as 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 2 7

2017 Spring Celebration Weekendteachers in the Sunday School and later, as Trustees of the Congregation. The KISisterhood was founded on his watch as well in 1912, one year before the creation ofthe National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. In 1923, a Men’s Club was formed atKI to reinvigorate religious life among the congregation’s adult males as well.KI’s golden years on North Broad Street were fortified by the work of two long-termPresidents. Alfred Klein served from 1903 to 1922. He was followed by Joseph J.Hagedorn who presided over the Trustees from 1922 to 1938. Their long tenures,paralleled by the long tenures of the rabbis with whom they worked, afforded thecongregation unparalleled continuity and stability. Although historians of religionin America often talk about an American religious depression in the 1920s and 1930s,first because of affluence and then because of the Depression, KI remained vigorousduring the entire Interwar Period, a fortress of uptown Jewish life and faith.With the death of Rabbi Krauskopf in 1923, KI turned to its first American-born rabbi,William Fineshriber. Born in St. Louis, Fineshriber (1878-1968) was educated at theHebrew Union College, Cincinnati and then settled in Memphis, Tennessee. AtCongregation Children of Israel, Fineshriber achieved national fame for his progres-sive role during the Scopes Trial and in his courageous battles against the Klu KluxKlan. Recruited by KI, Fineshriber took a number of steps to bring KI back into themainstream of Reform worship. First, he replaced the Krauskopf prayer book with theUnion Prayer Book. Second, in addition to choral music, he hired Romanian-bornBenjamin Grobani as the synagogue’s first Cantor. Together with Rabbi Louis Wol-sey of sister congregation Rodeph Shalom, he organized a “Normal School” for thetraining of teachers for Reform religious schools. Most significantly, in 1931 RabbiFineshriber restored the practice of Bar Mitzvah at KI. Ironically, Bertram W. Korn,later Fineshriber’s rabbinic successor, was one of his first Bar Mitzvah students onNorth Broad Street.Rabbi Fineshriber had several outstanding assistants North Broad. From 1925 to 1936,Rabbi Julian Feibelman worked alongside Fineshriber at KI before going to TempleSinai in New Orleans where he excelled in interfaith and civil rights work. In 1937,Fineshriber invited Rabbi Sam Cook to serve as his assistant. Subsequently, RabbiCook became the founder of the National Federation of Temple Youth. In 1938, he28 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017hired the first woman Director of the KI Religious School, Rose Kohn, who in turncreated the Elinor Kohn Tot Lot in memory of her daughter. The KI Tot Lot becamea model of social service support to Philadelphia’s indigent children during the De-pression and beyond.At the national level, Fineshriber was involved as an ombudsman in labor negotia-tions in the textile industry as well as in a major business dispute at The PhiladelphiaInquirer involving the Annenberg family who were then members of KI. He alsoplayed an important role in creating the ratings system for the American cinema.Much of Fineshriber’s correspondence with Sam Warner and other studio headsremains available in the KI Archives. His interest in movie ratings reflected a mix ofconcerns for good interfaith relations and promoting positive images of Jewsin films.Deeply concerned about domestic anti-semitism, KI did little during the Nazi era torescue European Jews. However, one 1913 KI Confirmand, Gilbert Kraus along withBrith Shalom lodge and the support of KI members like developer Albert M. Green-field were able to bring scores of Austrian Jewish children to the United States justprior to the outbreak of the war. In 1934, Rabbi Fineshriber reached out to AlbertEinstein who had recently settled in nearby Princeton, NJ and offered the famousscientist membership in the congregation. Einstein accepted and over a thousandpeople attended the special ceremony at KI in which Einstein proclaimed that“destiny had brought us together.”During the war, Fineshriber strongly supported “the win the war effort.” A MemorialChapel was established at the synagogue to support the numerous Gold Star KI fam-ilies. On the other hand, Fineshriber strongly objected to the creation of a JewishState on the grounds that it would compromise the political wellbeing of AmericanJews. It was a minority position within the larger Reform movement and was notwithout its challengers inside the congregation as well. Nevertheless, Fineshriberwas joined by leading KI congregant and President of Sears & Roebuck, LeesingRosenwald, as well as Congregation Rodeph Shalom’s Rabbi Wolsley in supportingthe anti-Zionist American Council for Judaism for several years. Fineshriber retiredas Senior Rabbi in December, 1947 and was made Rabbi Emeritus, a role in which heremained active until his death in 1968. 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 2 9

2017 Spring Celebration WeekendWith World War II over and the State of Israel newly established, Reform Congrega-tions again faced unprecedented challenges. Long-term trends in Jewish residentialpatterns in Philadelphia had carried the community up North Broad Street and intoMontgomery County. As early as 1930, Temple Judea, an independent offshoot of KI,was formed in West Oak Lane to provide closer access for Hebrew School families.The synagogue functioned for 50 years before merging into KI. Post-war affilia-tion patterns significantly drove up membership, in part connected to the growingdemand for Bar Mitzvah and by the 1970s, for Bat Mitzvah. Moreover, the suburbansynagogue was increasingly viewed as a social center for men, women, children andfamilies necessitating a new kind of multi-functional suburban synagogue architec-ture.Where to locate KI became an increasingly important question after World War II.The Temple University location of the North Broad Street facility was no longer cen-tral. A small population still remained in Center City and needed close access there.Temporary facilities for programming were found near the city line on CheltenhamAvenue and a joint venture with RS was opened in Elkins Park for youth and youngcouples programs. However, what was really needed was a new permanent location.The task fell to Arlin M. Adams (1921-2015) who became president of the synagoguein 1955. Adams was a young attorney and later would serve as a distinguished Federaljudge. Basically, there were three options: 1. Build in town near the Philadelphia ArtMuseum and wait for the population to return; 2. Create a center near the juncture ofWest Oak Lane and Cheltenham to catch new population leaving the city, or 3. Find alocation in Elkins Park on the Old York Road corridor. Despite its close proximity tothe new Frank Lloyd Wright project of Beth Sholom Congregation, Elkins Park provedto be the best place for the new KI, and Adams secured a large corner property on thesoutheast corner of Routes 611 and 73.The new KI, the synagogue’s third major location, was formidable. With a footprintof over 100,000 square feet, it had a sanctuary with 1,100 permanent seats, expandableto 2,500. The worship space was wired for live radio transmission. Its new auditoriumincluded a commercial grade kitchen and professional stage. The religious schoolincluded a permanent library with room for 10,000 books, a book bindery and a largeyouth lounge. The included a large, sunken state-of-the-art playground. The parking30 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017lot had over 300 spaces and a second chapel could accommodate 120 worshippers ontraditional wooden benches. As one architect later commented, “it seemed like anaircraft carrier!”The rabbi chosen to lead KI on the suburban frontier was one of its own, Bertram W.Korn (1918-1979) who had grown up at KI. After ordination, he served as a Chaplainin the Pacific during World War II and subsequently became a Rear Admiral in theChaplain Reserve. Korn was also an original and productive scholar of AmericanJewish history, and wrote the most important work on American Jews and the CivilWar, in addition to numerous other full-scale research works and monographs, mostlyon 19th century American Jewish history. He also taught American Jewish history ata number of colleges and universities.Under Korn’s leadership, KI grew to its maximum membership of around 1,800families. At one point, there was actually a waiting list to join the congregation. Anadditional auditorium and set of offices were built at the southern end of the buildingto accommodate the needs of the 1,000-plus student religious school. Korn also sup-ported the new Reform summer camp program and encouraged KI families to sendtheir children to the Pocono-based UAHC Joseph and Betty Harlam Camp-Institute,now an integral part of KI culture.Just before his death, Korn hired Rabbi Ruth N. Sandberg to head the KI ReligiousSchool. Educated at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Sandberg was the firstwoman rabbi to work at KI. Subsequently, she was one of the first women in the Unit-ed States to earn a Ph.D. in Talmud. Rabbi Sandberg studied under Professor JudahGoldin at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1989, HUC ordained Shoshana Perry whobecame the first women KI pulpit rabbi.Rabbi Korn was a religious liberal but as a military person was reserved aboutAmerica’s involvement in Vietnam and did not take a leading role in the Civil Rightsstruggle. Ironically, his scholarship debunked the myth of broad Jewish oppositi0n toslavery priory to the Civil War. On the other hand, Korn actively encouraged the con-gregation to become active in the securing of immigration rights for Soviet Jews andled a 90 member tour to Israel in 1969 and bringing the congregation full circle intothe American Zionist camp. He was an outstanding interfaith activist and inspirednearly a dozen members of KI to follow him into the rabbinate. 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 3 1

2017 Spring Celebration WeekendPerhaps the apex of Rabbi Korn’s career and the 20th century history of KI was theinstallation of the Sanctuary’s massive Jacob Landau Windows in 1974. Originallyenvisioned by the wife of President Louis Schwerin, Ruth Schwerin headed the effortto commission ten 23’ x 5’ monumental windows on the theme of “The PropheticQuest.” Modern, provocative and colorful, the windows added both beauty and reli-gious depth to the synagogue’s main worship space and are universally viewed as thesignature artistic expression of KI culture.Finally, under Korn’s leadership a proper synagogue Archives was established at KI.Today, with over 100,000 pages of material, it is one of the largest, best organized ar-chives of its type. The organization of the Archives was headed up by member PhyllisDucker Sichel whose father, Sylvan Drucker, served as KI president, 1959-1961. Dr.Korn’s sister, Jean, also served as a long-term volunteer KI Archivist and publishedseveral volumes on Korn family history. Dr. Korn died unexpectedly during a visitto New Orleans to visit Rabbi Julian Feibelman in 1979. He was buried at ArlingtonNational Cemetery with full military honors.The last quarter of the 20th century was a time of profound transition for the Reformmovement in American Judaism and for KI. The process of suburbanization slowed,mixed marriage increased, a counter culture growing out of the anti-Vietnam Warmovement was changing American society, a digital revolution was beginning andanti-Semitism in America was receding. Reform Judaism was changing too. ClassicalReform was in retreat. Neo-traditionalism was unevenly growing and a philosophyof “personal autonomy” was waxing. Issues of authority, authenticity and relevancewere being broadly debated.Into this uncertain mix, compounded by the loss in continuity following Rabbi Korn’sdeath, KI appointed Rabbi Simeon “Shim” Maslin (1931-) as its sixth senior rabbi. Har-vard educated and descended from a distinguished Orthodox family, Rabbi Maslinwas well known as one of the outstanding rabbinic orators of his generation. A fieryopponent of the Orthodox establishment in Israel, Maslin also advocated for greatertradition in American Reform Judaism. His book, the Gates of Mitzvah, publishedin 1986, quickly proved to be one of the most important religious texts of the Reformmovement in the 20th century. In 1990, Rabbi Maslin wrote One God, Sixteen Hous-32 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017es, which chronicles the history of the synagogues and churches along the Old YorkRoad corridor. From 1995-97, Rabbi Maslin served as president of the Central Confer-ence of American Rabbis where he worked tirelessly to mitigate the spread of rabbin-ic officiation at mixed marriagesRabbi Maslin’s wife Judith served as the founding Director of KI’s Temple JudeaMuseum. Following the merger of Temple Judea and KI, a new home for the syna-gogue’s outstanding art collection was created in KI’s main lobby. Judith Maslin wassucceeded by Dr. Susan Isaacs. Since 1997, The Temple Judea Museum has been ledby Rita Rosen Poley, who also established a KI Artists Collaborative and is creatingan online catalogue of the Museum’s 4,000 objects. In 2015, Judith Maslin publishedRabbi and Judy: A Memoir, an autobiography of her life which provides remarkableinsights into the life of a clergy family and the social history of KI.Following his term as president of the CCAR, Rabbi Maslin retired from KI in 1997.Bradley N. Bleefeld followed briefly as the seventh senior rabbi before the synagogueentered into a period of uncertainty and transition. Thus, KI entered the 21st centurywith the full realization that “the times they are a-changin’”. The density of Jewishsettlement in the Old York Road corridor was beginning to diminish, particularlychallenging because of the intense amount of Jewish institutional infrastructure thathad been developed north of Cheltenham Avenue since the 1950s. The demographicshift included an expansion of the most senior sector of the demographic spectrum.Second, the rate and longevity of congregational membership was, according to allnational surveys, beginning to shrink from a lifetime commitment to a matter of a fewyears. Finally, mixed marriage was changing the cultural landscape of Jewish life andnew strategies both for inclusiveness and Jewish authenticity were needed.To meet these and other challenges, KI invited Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D. (1954-)to serve as its 8th Senior Rabbi. A dual career rabbi in Binghampton, NY, RabbiSussman, was teaching full time at Binghamton University and also serving full-timeas the Rabbi of Temple Concord there. Once at KI, he developed a multi-prong planto secure KI’s future. First, he was to build to the congregation’s long-term commit-ment to first class programming in adult education, both sacred and classical musicand KI’s Temple Judea Museum. Second, Sussman developed innovation in worship 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 3 3

2017 Spring Celebration Weekendthrough the introduction of one of the country’s first major “Visual Tefillot” program(contemporary technology to project on large screens both prayers and visual imag-ery), live online streaming of services and the development of the KI Puppet programfor the Richard E. Rudolph, Jr. Preschool. Finally, as a historian, Sussman reinvigo-rated the KI archives, and is seeking to make the totality of KI’s rich past availableonline for professional researchers and casual users alike. Sussman is also well-knownfor his 1995 book, Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism. Sussman alsoteaches at Princeton University, Hunter College and Gratz College.For its part, the congregation developed a series of strategic plans, recommitted tothe Elkins Park location, conducted several major financial campaigns and commis-sioned the writing of a new Torah scroll as an act of spiritual renewal. A groundswellof activity in recent years has resulted in an expansion of social justice activitiesincluding a tutorial and partnership program with an inner city school, a monthlydinner for the food insecure and the formation of a Social Justice Policy Task Force todeal with issues of hate crime, social discrimination and economic injustice. KI alsoactively began searching for partners to help sustain itself resulting in one Conser-vative synagogue, Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El, permanently leasing space at KIto house its own operation and forging an educational alliance with two other areaConservative synagogues.As KI moves beyond its 170th year, it remains a vital, active Reform congregationcommitted to its historic mission of providing deeply engaging approaches toJudaism and modern Jewish living. While the successes of the past do not guaranteean equally successful future, the depth of KI culture and the passion of its leadersand members suggest great promise for the congregation both today and tomorrow.Just as when a book of the Torah is completed in the annual cycle of its reading inthe synagogue and the congregation calls out “Hazak, Hazak V’Nithazaik - Let us bestrong, remain strong and continue to strengthen one another,” so, too, do we recom-mit to KI and to continuing its sacred work for another 170 more years and beyond!May we continue to go “from strength to strength!”34 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017 Music History JEWISH MUSIC AT KI Hazzan David F. Tilman, DHL Conductor, Shir KI Adult Choir and Pastoral Outreach On Shabbat evening, March 3, we began our 170th anniver- sary celebration by presenting the world premiere of “To Bigotry No Sanction,” commissioned by Cantor Amy Levy Cantor David Tilman and written by Cantor Jonathan Comisar. It is fitting that ourleadership undertook this project with great enthusiasm, because Jewish music, in allits diverse and varied forms, styles and idioms, has been an essential component ofJewish life at KI since the congregation’s inception in 1847.Our founders understood the essential role of Jewish musical expression in all as-pects of congregational life: as a vehicle to elevate the prayer experience by inspiringcongregants to communicate with Almighty G-d, as a builder of Jewish communalexpression, and as an educational vehicle to teach Jewish values.The congregational Constitution of April 23, 1856 announced that “our services willbe uplifted with an organ and a well-trained choir.” William Fischer was hired as thefirst organist and choirmaster. Maestro Fischer communicated with the great Europe-an Synagogue composers of the era, and was instrumental in bringing works of thegreat synagogue masters, Louis Lewandowski, Salomon Sulzer and Samuel Naum-bourg, to the early KI worshippers.The KI leadership took the unusual action of compiling its own German/JewishHymnal titled “Gesänge für Israelitische Reform Gemeinden,” published in 1867, con-taining German lyrics of the congregation’s hymns. 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 3 5

2017 Spring Celebration WeekendOn Saturday evening, September 10th, 1892, the “New Temple Keneseth Israel” wasthe scene of an auspicious organ recital, inaugurating the new Roosevelt Organ in-stalled in the North Broad Street sanctuary. Mr. Marits Leefson, organist of KenesethIsrael, invited five other organists from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to play in thishuge program. The 1932 edition of the Union of American Hebrew CongregationHymnal was adopted as an essential worship text. It was placed in the pews alongwith the Reform prayerbook. This hymnal contained music for the service liturgyand for original English texts on Jewish themes.KI engaged several music directors and organist/choirmasters to train the choir forShabbat and Holiday services, and to compose new music for the liturgy. IsadoreFreed served as KI music director from 1933 to 1947. During this period, he composedmany works that are components of the American Reform repertoire, especially “TheSacred Service for Shabbat Morning”. To this day, we sing Freed’s Mi Chamocha set-ting from his Hasidic Service. Cantor Richard Allen served KI from 1976 to 1997.On April 28, 1961, the new main sanctuary Phyllis K. Goldsmith Organ was dedicated,and was celebrated by an organ recital series featuring world-class artists. During the1961-1962 season, organist/choirmaster Earl Ness mounted major oratorios on Biblicalthemes. On January 28, 1962, he conducted a complete performance of Avodath Ha-kodesh/Sacred Service by Ernest Bloch, the most famous Jewish composition of thefirst half of the twentieth century.For the 125th celebration, Michael White was commissioned to write an unusualShabbat evening service for two choirs and two organists! This work was premieredon March 24, 1972.Following the death of Rabbi Bertram Korn, the KI leadership celebrated his illustri-ous career with a series of annual music commissions. Ben Steinberg, Samuel Adler,Bonia Shur, Max Janowski and Cantor Charles Davidson wrote new liturgical set-tings. Cantor Davidson created “A Celebration of Light” for the KI Children’s Choir,conducted by his daughter Alyssa. This work was premiered on December 4, 1987.36 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017Cantor Amy E. Levy was engaged as Cantor in 2004. She has brought many innova-tions. Cantor Levy leads the prayers with sincerity, beauty, authenticity and cre-ativity, combining traditional Jewish musical modes with contemporary AmericanJewish music. Cantor Levy designs the “visual presentations” that are projected atevery Shabbat, Festival, and High Holiday Service. She leads Jewish Musical experi-ences for congregants of multiple generations including yoga and healing activities,and teaches the very latest in Jewish music to the Confirmation class. Cantor Levysupervises the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program, and directs many ensembles, includingShir Joy Children’s Choir, conducted by Liz Z. Sussman, the teenage ensembleShir Glee, Shir KI Adult Choir, which I have been honored to conduct, and the KIband Hebrew Hammers. Her monthly Shabbat for the Soul Services, co-led by herbeloved husband Ross M. Levy, touches the “Neshamot” of KI congregants. CantorLevy introduced the Hineynu software package which helps organize our pastoralwork. She brings abundant charm and vivacious personality to her interactions withour families.In 2011, Cantor Levy invited virtuoso organist and pianist Andrew Senn to join hermusical team. In August, 2011 I was invited to join the team. Cantor Levy foundedthe King David Harp Society to provide major financial support for the KI Jewishmusic program.Cantor Levy commissioned new music from Michael Isaacson, who wrote an EitzHayim setting, and Elkins Park native Ari Sussman, whose “Hinei Anochi” from theprophet Malachi was featured in the “Hear the Songs: See the Light” 40th Anniver-sary Celebration of the Landau Stained Glass windows. Most recently, she commis-sioned the composer Jonathan Comisar to create the masterpiece “To Bigotry NoSanction,” set to excerpts from President Washington’s letter to the Jews of Newportin August 1790, which so touched worshippers who attended the premiere.Our traditional and new Jewish music helps us to stand firmly “at the corner oftradition and innovation,” KI’s motto. We pray that we can continue to reach out toAlmighty G-d, to teach Jewish values and identity, and to develop a great love for theJewish people through the medium of Jewish music for many years to come! 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 3 7

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend Pictorial History Pictured above KI Confirmation Class of 1880, KI’s first president Julius Stern 1847, Albert Einstein becoming an honorary member of KI December 4, 1934 at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia38 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017 HONORING KI’S \"Century Club\" FAMILIES AND MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN AT KI FOR AT LEAST 100 YEARS1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 3 9

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY LISTINGS: HOW WE DID IT!The compilation of over fifty 21st century families with histories dating back over100 years at KI says a great deal about our congregation. The fact that 20 of thoseoriginal date back to the first 30 years of KI, is a remarkable statement of continuity.The counterpart of the picture is that KI would not be the vibrant community it istoday if not for the 900+ families that started their affiliation over the most recent 100years, many in just the last 10 years.The KI Archives’ collection of marriage records (from 1861), confirmation lists (from1880), the Religious School Registry (1877-1929), membership lists contained inthe congregation’s annual yearbooks of 1890-1929 and a collection of family treesdocuments the lineage of the self-identified families. The indexed portion (1847-1857) of the translation of early Board Minutes also provided us with early data. Thisprocess was augmented by reviewing US Census records (1850-1940), various deathrecords and city directories of the period to gain a picture of these families over thegenerations. Please note that the membership from the 1860s to the 1880s must stillbe culled from the Board Minutes as separate lists were not routinely maintained. Aswe continue to further index our archives, we will be able to add to the early familyhistories developed over these past six months.It was not surprising to find that within our KI Century Club there are many sets ofsiblings and cousins. For example, seven of the 20 early families mentioned can allbe found to have a common 18th century ancestor. There are even more instancesof “overlapping” family trees where an individual, through marriage and siblings,could be a part of more than one family history. Luckily KI’s early families valueddocumenting their personal history and we have many of their sources.Thank you to all who so generously shared their recollections of personal familyhistory. It is pleasing to know that this project has provided new information to someof those mentioned on the enclosed pages and has given our whole congregationinsight into its origins and development.Jack Myers, KI ArchivistRabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D40 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017 CAROL MONHEIT SCHWARTZ AND ALAN SCHWARTZ AND DAVID AND RACHAEL SCHWARTZ AND JULIE AND BEN GINSBERGCarol Monheit Schwartz and her family have the longest family affiliation with KI,dating back to Carol’s great-great-great-grandparents Julius and Henrietta AdlerStern. Julius Stern was the first to sign the KI membership petition in 1847, and isconsidered the founder of KI. Julius served as KI’s first president and then servedtwo additional terms. All subsequent generations were married at KI as follows:Carol’s great-great-grandparents Henry and Rosa Stern Bamberger (1866), great-grandparents Arthur Julian and Florence Myers Bamberger (1898), grandparentsAlbert and Lillian Monheit (1916) and Alan Stern and Rosalind Bamberger Goodman(1921) and parents Richard and Jane Goodman Monheit (1943) who had threechildren, Carol, Alan and Nancy. Carol and Alan Jay Schwartz were married in 1968with Rabbi Korn officiating. They have three married children, Julie (Ben Ginsberg),Amy (Chris Seymour) and David (Rachael) and all three celebrated their B’naiMitzvah and Confirmations at KI. Carol and Alan collectively have 7 grandchildren.Their granddaughter Maddie Ginsberg was recently confirmed at KI. It has been animpressive and ongoing history of devotion to KI over its 170 years. EDITH WOLFSONEdith Wolfson and her family’s connection to KI dates back to our congregation’svery beginning. Gustov Lazarus Waldauer, the great-grandfather of Edith’s latehusband Harold, was one of the original 52 founders of KI in 1847. Edith joined asocial group at KI when she was a teenager, before she was even a member. Whenshe met Harold, she was so happy to learn that he belonged to KI, and that it wouldnow be a permanent part of her life. Edith and Harold Wolfson were among the firstKI couples to be married after the war in 1946 at KI when it was on Broad Streetand Columbia Avenue. Rabbi Fineshriber officiated at that ceremony. The Wolfsons’two sons Randy and Brian became B’nai Mitzvah at KI and were also confirmedthere. Edith remembers her mother-in-law Blanche Wolfson talking about attendingKI Shabbat morning services at a church on 22nd and Chestnut Street after thecongregation moved to Elkins Park. 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 4 1

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend RACHEL TAYLOR BROWN AND MICHAEL MELTZERRachel Taylor Brown has enjoyed decades of family connections to KI. Rachel’sgreat-great-great-grandfather on her mother’s side, Moses Simon, married FannyStraus in 1850 at RS. The couple moved to Tennessee where Rachel’s great-great-grandfather Marcus Simon and a sister were born. The family returned toPhiladelphia in the mid-1850s and had four more children. Moses was an active KImember in the late 1800s; his eldest daughter Caroline was married at KI in 1876.Rachel’s parents, Richard and Joanne Taylor Brown, were married at KI, and Rachel(confirmed in 1997) was raised here also. She is excited to raise her daughter in thesame warm place which has been so meaningful to her. ADAM GUTH AND ELENA MARGOLISAdam Guth and Elena Margolis have had a long connection to KI. Adam’s great-great-great-grandfather Aaron Mayer joined KI in 1852 and registered his childrenEva (Adam’s great-great-grandmother) and Joseph in the KI religious school in 1881and 1877, respectively. Eva married Solomon Kraus and had two children, Edna andGilbert. Edna married Albert M. Greenfield (Adam’s great-grandparents), and Edna,her brother Gilbert and his wife Eleanor led a successful rescue of 50 Jewish childrenfrom Vienna. Albert and Edna’s daughter Elizabeth married Leonard Zeidman(Adam’s grandparents) in 1943, and in 1959 their daughter Janet and Bernard Guth(Adam’s parents) were married at KI. The legacy of this long-standingfamily continues. ALAN H. AND LOIS MEYERSAlan H. and his wife Lois Meyers have been active members of KI. Their threedaughters, Karen, Jessica and Julie, were all confirmed at KI. Alan was confirmed atKI in 1956. His parents, Stuart and Aline Hahn Meyers, were both members of KI’s1928 Confirmation Class. They were married at KI in 1936. Stuart’s two older sisters,Ruth Printz and Eleanor Sondheim, were also confirmed and married at KI. Alan’sgrandparents, William Meyers and Ray Kahn Meyers, who were married at KI in1902, were both from KI families. Ray was one of six children of Charles and BinaKuhn Kahn who were confirmed at KI between 1879 and 1894. William was the son ofSamuel Meyers and Fannie Lowenstein, who were married at KI in 1871.42 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017 JACK AND LAURIE MYERSJack Myers and Laurie (nee Farber) Myers have found their family’s earliestancestral records relating to KI date back to 1861 with the marriage of HenriettaMyers to Samuel E. Massman by KI’s Rabbi David Einhorn. This was the firstrecorded marriage in Philadelphia by Rabbi Einhorn. Henrietta was the sister ofSolomon Myers, Jack’s great-grandfather. In all, Solomon and six siblings were KImembers. Each generation that followed is included in KI marriage, Confirmationand activity records. Through his father’s descendancy from the Fleisher and Kohnfamilies and his mother’s Simon and Armon lineage, Jack is related to severalother Century Club members. Jack’s father Albert S. Myers, Jr. was Temple CouncilPresident. Laurie volunteers in the KI Library and participates in the monthlyHaMotzi community dinners. Jack taught at KI for 25 years and is currently the KIarchivist. Their twin sons, Aaron and Seth, both celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah andConfirmations at KI. DOLPH SIMONSIN MEMORIUM: Dolph Simons (1920-2016), a lifelong member and generoussupporter of KI, was the great-grandson of Abraham Kaufman, KI’s president (1861-1863). His parents, Julius Simons and Hortense Nadel, were married at KI in 1920.Hortense’s sister Blanche married Samuel Axelroth at KI in 1907. Jacob Nadel andSarah Kaufman, Dolph’s grandparents, were married at KI in 1884. JEANNE VOGEL SEMLESSIN MEMORIUM: Jeanne Vogel Semless (1923-2016) was one of several KImembers who trace their ancestry to Samuel Meyers, who, after his first wife RoseKlein, died in 1869, married Fanny Lowenstein at KI in 1871. Jeanne was confirmed atKI in 1939 and married Frank Semless at KI in 1951. There were two Vogel brotherswho were married at KI in 1863 and 1867. 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 4 3

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend DAVID HAYS SOLIS, IVDavid Hays Solis, IV is a descendant of the well-known early American Jewishfamily which dates back prior to the Revolutionary War. David is the grandson ofAlbert Solis and Blanche Meyers. Blanche’s parents, Samuel Meyers and FannyLowenstein, were married at KI in 1871. Albert was the youngest child of David HaysSolis and Elvira Nathan. His older sister Emily Grace Solis married Dr. Solomon Solis-Cohen, their first cousin. David’s mother Beatrice Stern is the sister of Harry Stern,KI president from 1941-48. David and his wife Nancy and 3 sons who all had B’naiMitzvah and confirmations at KI. MICKEY AND SUSIE SNELLENBURG AND JEFFREY G. AND LORI SNELLENBURG AND JANET SNELLENBURG-KLINE AND STEVEN KLINEMickey is the great grandson and Jeffrey G. Snellenburg and his sister, JanetSnellenburg-Kline, are the great-great grandchildren of Nathan Joseph Snellenburg,who, along with his brothers owned well-known regional department storesand clothing manufacturing company N. Snellenburg and Company, which wasestablished in 1869. Brother Samuel Snellenburg married Hannah Eichholtz in 1877at KI; and the remaining Snellenburg children subsequently married at KI as well.Recent KI B’nai Mitzvah and KI Confirmation students include Jacob Snellenburg,Taylor Lauridsen, Rebekah Kline, and Samuel Kline. Laina Snellenburg will become aBat Mitzvah at KI this spring. PETER MYERSPeter Myers has family roots at KI via both sides of his family. His great-grandparents Daniel Meyers and Clara Wiler were married at KI in 1871. Hisgrandparents Joseph Davis Myers and Floretta Krauss were married at KI in 1904.His other grandfather Clarence L. Meyers, who married Estelle Maas Seidenbachat KI in 1911, donated the funds for the Meyers Library of KI, a legacy that remainstoday. Peter’s parents Edward N. Myers and Nancy Meyers were married by RabbiFineshriber in 1940. Peter remembers KI as a place where people come to make andkeep friends.44 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017 DR. FRANK AND ELLEN MEYERS ABRAHAMSDr. Frank and Ellen Meyers Abrahams have a long history at KI via both families.Ellen’s family’s history dates back to 1871 when her great-grandparents Daniel andClara Weiler were married at KI. Her other great-grandparents Beno Goodman andRose Hope were also married at KI in 1887. Ellen’s grandmother Elsie Goodmanwas confirmed at KI and married Isadore Meyers at KI in 1915; Rabbi Krauskopfofficiated. Ellen’s parents David (confirmed at KI in 1942) and Betty Lamb Meyerswere married by Rabbi Fineshriber at KI in 1942. Frank’s parents Arthur and ElaineStein Abrahams were married at KI in 1943. In his later years, Arthur single-handedlybegan the weekly Shabbat service at Rydal Park led by Rabbi Sussman, and thatservice continues today. Ellen and Frank met while in KI’s 4th grade. Frank became aBar Mitzvah in 1960 and both he and Ellen were confirmed at KI in 1963. Rabbi Kornofficiated at their wedding in 1969. They were both involved in the KI Youth Group.Frank played the organ and other music for the youth choir, and as Professor of MusicEducation at Westminster Choir College, he has brought his choir and their beautifulmusic under his able direction to KI for many Shabbat programs. Frank also served aschair of the Search Committee that recommended Cantor Amy Levy join the KI staff.Frank says, “KI is part of who we are”. LYNN GEISENBERGER BARBELL AND ALAN BARBELLLynn Geisenberger Barbell has a long family history at KI. Lynn’s great-great-grandparents were Samuel and Fannie Lowenstein Meyers, whose son, WilliamMeyers and his wife Regina Kahn were Lynn’s great-grandparents.  Their daughter,Lynn’s grandmother, was Eleanor Meyers who married Jerome Printz in 1931. Theirdaughter Rosalind Printz and Jacques Geisenberger (Lynn’s parents) were marriedat KI in 1956. Lynn and Alan Barbell were married in 1992. They both are activeat KI with Alan serving on the KI Board and having served as an Officer of thecongregation. Alan and Lynn are proud of the KI B’nai Mitzvah and Confirmations oftheir children Robyn and Elliot. 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 4 5

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend JOHN AND GAY BINSWANGERJohn Binswanger and brother Frank Goldstein Binswanger, Jr. are the sons ofFrank G. Binswanger, Sr. and Elizabeth Bacharach who were married at KI in 1902.Their grandparents, Barnett Binswanger and Martha Goldstein, were also marriedat KI in 1887. Barnett’s mother, Elizabeth Sophia Polack, niece of Aaron Levy, isdescended from a Revolutionary War era Dutch family. Frank Binswanger, Jr. and hiswife Suzanne Hirch were married at KI in 1950. The Binswanger family generouslydonated the Family Statue that sits at the circular entrance of KI.Pictured left to right: Rabbi Bertram Pictured left to right: Frank Binswanger,Korn, Frank Binswanger, Paul Jaffe Elizabeth Binswanger, Bobby Wolfe, John K. Binswanger46 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL

May 4th - 7th, 2017 MICKEY AND JUDY LANGSFELD AND MARK AND KAREN LANGSFELDMickey and Judy Langsfeld and Mark and Karen Langfeld are proud of theirfamily’s multi-generational connection to KI. The Langsfeld branch dates backto 1878 when Jacob Langsfeld married Ida Silberman at KI. Mickey’s maternalgrandmother’s family, the Harrisons, joined KI in 1862. There is a Jacob and LeahHarrison Bible in the KI archives with their names engraved. Jacob’s mother, Mickey’sgrandmother, Fannie Harrison Grossman, and his great-aunt, Matilde Harrison, havetheir Confirmation papers from 1907 in the KI Archives as well. Mickey, a longtimeKI Board member, and Judy raised their family at KI. Mickey and Judy’s children,Mark, Elizabeth and Benjamin, all attended KI Religious School and celebrated theirB’nai Mitzvah and Confirmations at KI as well. Mark and Karen Langsfeld’s childrenJordan and Max are the 8th generation at KI. Karen currently is a KI officer, servingas Associate Secretary Pictured left to right: Leah Fuerst Harrison Mickey’s great- great grandmother on his mother’s maternal side, David and Sarah Amsel - Mickey’s great-great-grand- parents on his mother’s paternal side Pictured left to right: Anna Neubauer, Mickey’ great- great-great aunt on his mother’s maternal side, Jacob Abram Harrison, Mickey’s great-great- grandfather on his mother’s maternal side 1 70 TH B I RT H DAY h o n o r i n g T H E K I “C E N TU RY C LU B ” • 47

2017 Spring Celebration Weekend EDWIN AND CLAIRE SCHWERINEREdwin Schweriner and his family began their membership and deep connection toKI in 1898 when his grandparents Herman and Bertha Lachman Schweriner weremarried. Their children, including Ed’s father were confirmed at KI in the early 1900s.Edwin and Claire were married in 1963 in Pittsburgh and their children Randi andJeffrey celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah and Confirmations at KI. Claire had an adultBat Mitzvah at KI in 2006. Ed was the Scoutmaster of KI’s Troop 492 for many years.Claire has served on the KI Archives Committee for 26 years and Ed chaired KI’sSafety and Security Committee. Claire and Ed enjoyed traveling to Eastern Europewith Rabbi Sussman. SUE SCHWERIN FRIED AND GARY FRIEDSue Schwerin Fried traces her family’s roots at KI to the 1880s. Her great-grandfather Louis Schwerin, great-uncle Leon Schwerin and great-aunt PaulineSchwerin were all active KI members. Pauline was a KI Religious School teacher.Louis Schwerin was KI President (1968-71). Sue’s father Norman Schwerin has fondmemories of the dynamic Rabbis Fineshriber and Korn, and remembers how patrioticKI was then. Sue married Gary Fried and are both proud of KI and of their family whohave been active for so many decades. CAROL STERN McMICHAELCarol Stern McMichael traces her KI family history to her great-grandparents SidneyMorris and Rose Goldsmith Stern who were married at KI in 1892. Carol’s parentsHorace and Joan Stern were married in 1949 by Rabbi Fineshriber. Horace was deeplywoven into KI and the Reform Movement, teaching religious school at KI for decadesand serving on the KI Board and the Union of American Hebrew CongregationsBoard (now URJ). Horace was the KI Board’s resident parliamentarian and servedproudly as KI President (1976-78). Carol was confirmed at KI in 1971 and marriedthere in 1976.48 • REFORM CONGREGATION KENESETH ISRAEL