History of Chevra Tifereth Israel Anshei, Greenport
(Much of this material was published in 1992, in recognition of the 90th anniversary of Congregation Tifereth Israel. Material is also included from the 1978 celebration of the 75th Anniversary. Original materials from 1902 through 1914 have also been consulted.)
The Beginnings
The mid-to late 1800s forged America’s melting pot,” welcoming immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Lithuania and Russia. Beginning in the 1800s, over two million of these hopeful pilgrims were Jews from Eastern Europe. Most remained in the cities, where the bright colors of the American Dream often faded under grinding gray poverty. Some were determined to find a better way. Many headed west; a few came east, to rural Long Island.
Those first hardy souls struck out along the roads and railroad tracks of the island peddling such items as needles and thread, ribbons and combs. Eventually they found a spot to their liking and settled down. One of these places was Greenport. There is no record of exactly when the first Jewish immigrants came to the village, but it is known several families lived here before 1880. The heads of the households: Nathan Kaplan, G. Merzbach, Morris Appelt, Herman Sandman, William Smith and Louis Jaeger. Apparently there were no organized services — no congregation, no synagogue, no home services.
Congregation Organized
The first service was held during the High Holy Days of 1892 in the home of Lazar Kobre. Later, regular services were held in the home of Fanny Levine. In 1900, a small group of men assembled in the home of Nathan Goldin to organize the Jewish families of Greenport into a formal congregation. Samuel Levine, in a history of the first 50 years of Temple Tifereth Israel, wrote,”… their assets were mainly faith, as they were certainly poor in worldly possessions.”
At the first men’s meeting held October 5, 1902, a committee was appointed to obtain a charter and an official stamp (seal) . Fine speeches were given by the president and Schochet.
Building the Shul
The groundwork laid, the new congregation started on the task of building the Temple. Minutes of the congregation’s second meeting say that the “committee that was appointed to select a site reported that there is a lot on fourth street, 50′ X 150′ and that the asking price is $200.00, but (they) will try to get it a little cheaper.” Finally, a different site – where the Temple stands today – was selected. The parcel was purchased from J. Madison Wells for $300.00.
Through the efforts of a fund raising committee — Joseph Pushkin, Fannie Schless, Jeannie Levine, Jacob A. Schless, Ida Brown, Sarah Schless and Golde Pushkin — the cornerstone of the building was laid December 28, 1903. Rabbi Dr. Spiegel of New York conducted the formal dedication of the Temple on January 11, 1904.
The original building contained the sanctuary with a balcony for women congregants, a small kitchen, a mikva* in the basement and a Cheder (Classroom).
Woman’s Auxiliary
In January 1909, a total of fourteen members formed Temple Tifereth Israel’s new women’s auxiliary at a meeting in the home of Anna Goldin. The group was formed to organize social events and generally aid the synagogue. Calling themselves the Ladies Aid Society of Greenport, the members set dues of 10 cents a meeting. (5 cents for unmarried women.) Later the group changed its name to The Hebrew Club, but by 1934 the club had disbanded.
1964 Addition
As part of the 1964 renovation, the kitchen was enlarged and a reception room added.
In 1968, the congregation purchased the house across street as living quarters for the Rabbi and his family.
2000-2001 Expansion
In 2000–2001, Congregation Tifereth Israel completed an extension to the south side of the social hall to provide classroom space for the Hebrew School, modern washrooms, an office and additional worship space for the High Holy Days. The dedication of this new facility was held on July 8th 2001.
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