Overview of Norwich's Jewish Organizations
Inside Beth Jacob Synagogue
400 New London Turnpike
The history of Jewish residents in Norwich dates back more than 150 years. The first published account of a Jew living in Norwich was Adolph Chamansky. He migrated from Germany and established a business on Main Street in Norwich. He advertised his clothing store in the October 30, 1851, issue of the Norwich Evening Courier. Adolph, his wife Pauline, and his brother Joseph became the precursors of a vibrant Jewish community in Norwich.
The great exodus of Jews from Eastern Europe to the United States began in the 1880s. By 1883, Norwich’s Russian Jews had organized a religious congregation, which they called the Congregation of Norwich, Connecticut. It was an Orthodox congregation, and Yiddish was the only language spoken at their meetings.
In March of 1886, members of the congregation submitted bids in an auction for the selection of the permanent name of the congregation. Kive Lahn, the high bidder, submitted the name Brothers of Joseph in honor of his son, born that very week, the firstborn to a Russian Jew in Norwich.
Later, in 1906, the Sons of Israel, another Orthodox Jewish group, was formed by Rabbi Max Stamm on Mount Pleasant.
And, in 1929, the Beth Jacob congregation, a Conservative Jewish group, was formed and met on Church Street in downtown Norwich. They spoke English at their meetings.
A well-researched, detailed account of the development of Jews in Norwich was written in 1975 by Arthur Goldberg. Mr. Goldberg was a former teacher, curriculum director, and coach at the Norwich Free Academy. The article is available for you to read by clicking the button below.
1878-post 1929: First Hebrew Society of Norwich
The first Jewish immigrants in Norwich were German immigrant pioneers who set the tone and tempo for the next half-century of Jewish settlement. Through their initiative, the first Jewish organization was established.
There was a genuine need for a Jewish community organization to take root in Norwich. On March 28, 1869, Gabriel Plaut was born to Joseph and Rosalie Plaut in Norwich. He may well have been the first child born to Jewish parents in Norwich. Unfortunately, his may also have been the first Jewish death in Norwich, but not the first burial. Gabriel died at the young age of eight years old.
Without a local Jewish cemetery, Gabriel’s parents interred their son in the Beth Israel Cemetery of Hartford on August 22, 1877. In the following year, feeling well enough established, the Jews of Norwich formed the First Hebrew Society with Joseph Plaut, Gabriel Plaut’s father, as president.
First Hebrew Society Cemetery
42-52 Laurel Hill Road, Preston, CT
Characteristically, that organization, which was named “The First Hebrew Society,” provided for a cemetery. The first entry in the minutes of the Society, written in a beautiful, clear script, is dated Sunday, June 22, 1878, and reads as follows:
“At the request of Several Gentlemen, a meeting was held on the above date, Mr. Daniel Krause acting as chairman, Mr. Abraham Plaut as Secretary. On motion, which was carried, it was resolved to form into a Society to be called ‘The First Hebrew Society of Norwich’.”
The clearly marked graves of Adolph and Pauline (wife of son Louis), Joseph and his wife, Henrietta, and that of David Chamansky are situated in the First Hebrew Cemetery. At least one member of the Chamansky family left Norwich. Louis, the son of Joseph, the clothing store owner of Norwich, became the merchandising manager of the great R. H. Macy and Co. department store of New York. Upon his retirement, he became a director of the company.
NOTE: It is unknown when or if the First Hebrew Society of Norwich ceased its operations. If you have any information regarding this, please send an email to: Placemark@IconicNorwich.org
Acknowledgements
“The Jew in Norwich, A Century of Jewish Life,” (1975), pgs 80-81, 86-87, 90-91, by Arthur Goldberg
“Entrance to the First Hebrew Society Cemetery in Preston, CT,” by FindAGrave.com
1879-Present: Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Society
The Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Association was organized on March 22, 1879. Today, they maintain four cemeteries in Preston.
The incorporation document, shown on the left, outlines the purposes of the society. Section 2 reads:
“Said society is incorporated as a purely benevolent society, having for its object to visit the sick, bury the dead, and bestow other acts of charity on members of the society.”
Their first cemetery was established ten years later, in 1889, at Brewster Neck in Preston (42-52 Laurel Hill Road, Connecticut Route 12) next to the First Hebrew Society Cemetery and the Brothers of Joseph cemetery.
In 1904, the Brothers of Joseph transferred a portion of their land to the Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Association.
For the next several decades, the Association maintained Cemeteries 1 and 2 at Brewster Neck. The membership thrived during this period, and many events, such as annual picnics, were attended by the community.
In the 1960s, as their first two cemeteries neared capacity, 78 additional acres of land were purchased a few miles away in Preston, a portion of which was to become Cemetery 3. In 1998, discussions began to address the needs of multifaith families, which resulted in the establishment of Cemetery 4 directly adjacent.
Info Source 1 provides more details of the Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Association.
Acknowledgements
Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Association website
1887-Present: Congregation Brothers of Joseph ~ Norwich
The document shown below provides a detailed history of the Brothers of Joseph Synagogue from 1887-1987. Today, Congregation Brothers of Joseph is a growing Orthodox shul that serves a community of Jews representing all ages, backgrounds and levels of observance
The history of the Congregation Brothers of Joseph Synagogue dates back to 1883. That is when a group of primarily Eastern European Jews who lived in Norwich organized a religious congregation, calling themselves the Congregation of Norwich. The same year saw the formation of a Burial Society by the Congregation of Norwich, with land for a cemetery purchased at Brewsters Neck in Preston, adjacent to the First Hebrew Society’s land.
In 1886, the members participated in a bid for a permanent name for the congregation. In the resulting auction, Mr. Kive Lahn was the high bidder. And, the name Brothers of Joseph was designated in honor of Kive’s son, Joseph, born that very week. In 1886, the Congregation adopted its first constitution. This constitution remained in effect until 1954, when a new constitution was adopted.
Services were held in a building on Cove Street between 1884 and 1898, and in various buildings throughout the city, such as T.A.B. Hall, Germania Hall, and Lucas Hall.
With a substantial donation from the Reverend Fromenson, the congregation built its own synagogue on West Main Street, which opened in 1898. In 1909, Rabbi Joseph Rosenberg came to Norwich and became the first Rabbi of the synagogue. He had such an outstanding personality that Norwich soon became recognized as a prominent center for Judaism.
In 1914, the Norwich Hebrew Institute was organized. Classes were held in various buildings throughout the city until 1924, when the Institute moved to Fairmount Street. In 1953, the Norwich Hebrew Ladies Society reorganized as the Brothers of Joseph Sisterhood, later becoming the Rachel Leah Sisterhood, named after the mother of Jacob Slosberg. In the early 1950s, a men’s club was also organized.
Former Brothers of Joseph Synagogue
Built in 1898 at 230 West Main
This Jewish congregation worshiped in the West Main Street Synagogue from 1898 until 1966, when it built a new edifice.
In 1960, the Congregation of United Brothers (from the 40 High Street Synagogue) voted to merge with the Congregation Brothers of Joseph on Main Street.
Today’s Brothers of Joseph Synagogue, which sits on the corner of Washington and Broad Streets, was built in 1966 on the former Osgood property. It is a unique modern architecture that exhibits the familiar Star of David to the heavens above. In addition to a modern sanctuary, the building includes a large hall, a stage, and two professional kitchens.
The Brothers of Joseph Synagogue continues smaller in size but strong in spirit. They welcome in friendship all who wish to observe traditional Judaism in a modern setting.
*Place cursor over image to magnify
Congregation Brothers of Joseph ~ 2 Broad Street
Acknowledgements
“Brothers of Joseph Synagogue 100th Anniversary, 1887-1987, Nov. 7, 1987,” by Congregation Brothers of Joseph
“The Jew in Norwich, A Century of Jewish Life,” (1975), by Arthur Goldberg
“Legends of Jewish Community Recalled on High Holiday,” (2005), by Bill Stanley
Courtesy of Rob Ladd, Norwich Ct. Pictures, USA webpage
Congregation Brothers of Joseph Facebook website
1906-1960: Sons of Israel Synagogue ~ High Street
Sons of Israel Synagogue
40 High Street
*Place cursor over image to magnify
The Sons of Israel Synagogue was erected on September 19, 1906, and the cornerstone was laid at 40 High Street. In 1907, the Congregation of United Brothers was organized initially under the name of Sons of Israel and established a synagogue on 40 High Street. This synagogue was to function according to the traditional form of Orthodox Judaism. The founders, with an eye to the vicissitudes in life, set down the injunction to future generations that this synagogue, under all circumstances, remain firm in its orthodoxy.
Upon the founding of this congregation, Rabbi Max Stamm became its spiritual leader. The Sons of Israel, however, fell upon difficult times financially. In 1910, the synagogue was saved from the auctioneer’s gavel by George Greenberger, and the congregation was reorganized as the Agudas Achim (Congregation of Brothers). It managed to survive through numerous financial crises.
The Congregation of United Brothers gave its unrestrained support to worthy causes in general and to the ideal of rehabilitating Palestine and Hebrew education in particular.
NOTE: The 1914 map shown on the left shows the location of both the Sons of Israel Synagogue and the Mount Calvary Baptist Church.
Acknowledgements
“The Jew in Norwich, A Century of Jewish Life,” (1975), p 93, by Arthur Goldberg
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1914, Sheet 26
1929-Present: Beth Jacob Synagogue ~ Norwich
Beth Jacob Synagogue from 1929-1979
63 Church Street
Beth Jacob Synagogue was founded in 1929 by a group of 29 families, mainly first and second-generation Americans. Their religious convictions were deep enough for them to be concerned about providing a traditional Jewish education for their children. Still, they wanted a form of Judaism that allowed them to better integrate their secular and religious lives. The philosophy of the Conservative movement provided the answers these founders sought.
In October of 1929, several men met in Abner Schwartz’s store and sent a message to the Jewish Theological Seminary requesting a Rabbi. Thus was marked the advent of the third, and now the largest Jewish congregation in Norwich. While the two previous congregations had been Orthodox, Beth Jacob, named in honor of Jacob R. Slosberg (1881-1974), was organized as a Conservative congregation with sermons in English and other relaxations from the rigidity of the traditional liturgy. Thus, a new epoch in the history of Jewry in Norwich was initiated.
In November 1929, the group purchased the former Second Congregational Church edifice, shown on the left. The synagogue was consecrated in April 1930. At that time, the Torah Scroll was carried through the streets from its temporary residence on Shetucket Street to its permanent home, where the new ark was dedicated.
The Beth Jacob Synagogue has prospered over the years. In May 1942, it added the Berkman Memorial Library (named in honor of Bessie Berkman), paid off its mortgage (June 12, 1944), opened its own Religious School (1930), and in 1956 erected a large new religious school building. In 1948, it built a chapel in honor of Abraham Ableman, and in 1952, it refurbished the vestry. Under Rabbi Marshall J. Maltzman, it continued to grow and to extend its services.
The congregation broke ground for a new building in October 1978 and dedicated it in 1979, relocating due to the deteriorating physical plant of the old church on Church Street.
Beth Jacob Synagogue ~ 1979-Present
400 New London Turnpike
Beth Jacob extended full and equal religious rights to women in 1975. Shortly thereafter, Beth Jacob’s leaders sought a means to relocate the synagogue because of the deteriorating physical plant and environment on Church Street.
Groundbreaking for the new synagogue building took place on October 8, 1978, and the building was dedicated in 1979.
Today’s Beth Jacob Synagogue is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Acknowledgements
“Beth Jacob Synagogue,” by BethJacob-Norwich.org
“The Jew in Norwich, A Century of Jewish Life,” pp 93-98, (1975), by Arthur Goldberg
“Diverse, Historic, Spiritual: Norwich Centers of Worship Reflect Changing City,” (12/27/2007), by John-Manuel Andriote
“Beth Jacob Synagogue 1929-1979,” Courtesy of Rob Ladd
“Beth Jacob Synagogue 1979-Present,” by BethJacob-Norwich.org website