Notes on the History of the Congregation Bene Israel The earliest record of an attempt to organize a congregation in the city of Hamilton appears in a want-ad in the American Israelite, dated April 17, 1866, when, under the signature of Jonas Hirsch, the services of "a person capable of performing the duties of a Teacher and a Schochet" were solicited. The community had about ten families who were called together at a meeting June 17, 1866, for the purpose of organization. On July 29, the organization was completed with Moses Klein elected president; Jonas Hirsch, vice president, and Ferdinand Steinfeld, secretary.

The charter members were Jacob Maas, Jacob Grabenheimer, the first Jew to come to Butler county, David Koppel, Meyer Roth, Moses Sauer, Herman Guggenheimer,  Louis Davis, Samuel Levy, and the officers.

Because of the difficulty in raising the minimal financial requirements to meet the needs of the new congregation, its first rabbi did not come until December of that year. With the Rev. Rosenthal as its spiritual leader, the congregation worshipped in a rented room above the clothing store of Jonas Hirsch. It boasted of a Religious School which by 1879 had 30 pupils. It also had a Ladies' Aid Society, which must have been organized from the very beginning of the life of the congregation. One of the earliest contributions of the Ladies' Aid to the congregation was a silver Torah Pointer dated March 26, 1869.

In October of 1870, the congregation empowered its trustees to purchase a plot of ground opposite St. Mary's for a cemetery.

It is interesting to note that in 1873 two representatives of the congregation, Samuel Levy and Jacob Maas, attended a convention in Cincinnati, called by Isaac Mayer Wise, which brought into being the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.

In 1876 the congregation moved to larger quarters, renting the Morner property on High Street. It was during this time that the first Confirmation class exercises were held with the Rev. H. Wolff officiating.

On the sixth of April, 1878, the congregation, having grown and prospered, met to realize a long cherished dream. At that meeting it gave its trustees the authority to proceed with the building of a House of Worship. A site was purchased on Fourth Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets and the building began at once.
 

In September of that year, the new Temple was dedicated with elaborate ceremonial. Isaac Mayer Wise gave the dedicatory sermon. A large celebration marked this significant milestone in the life of the young congregation.  Mr. Gabe Mayer was then serving as the president of the congregation and served in that capacity for thirty years. He was succeeded by Meyer Strauss, who also served for many years. Rev. Lippmann Liebman was the rabbi at the turn of the century and remained until his passing in 1913.  The congregation had enjoyed the services of many rabbis during those early years, men who came to Hamilton and rendered valuable service to theJewish community. From 1913 on, the congregation obtained the services of rabbinical students from the Hebrew Union College, and from this list have come many of the distinguished personages in American Reform. The first of these was Louis L. Mann, now Rabbi of Sinai Congregation, Chicago, who is participating in this Diamond Jubilee Anniversary.

Rabbi Liebman with his  wife and grandson

The present Temple of Congregation Bene Israel was dedicated on October 28, 1923, the gift of the late Ben Strauss as a memorial to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Strauss. The removal to its new quarters was celebrated with impressive rites. Dr. David Philipson, of Cincinnati, who honors us by his presence at this Diamond Jubilee, gave the dedicatory address on that occasion. Many local dignitaries participated in the ceremonies, which highlighted this unique contribution of a man who was one of Hamilton's outstanding citizens. Rabbi Michael Aaronsohn, a participant in this seventy-fifth anniversary celebration, was rabbi  of the congregation at that time.

For most of the years since that event Max Strauss served the Congregation as its president, and during his administration its membership grew.

One of the achievements of these last years was the reinstitution of a permanent rabbi. Under the leadership of Rabbi Arthur J. Lelyveld, who served here four years, the congregation reached new pinnacles of activity and interest, aided by the effective administration of Mr. David Silver and Dr. Milton Greenwald, who succeeded Mr. Strauss as presidents in turn of the congregation.

Seventy-five years have passed since those early days. Generations of men and women have come and gone, each in  turn leaving its lasting impression upon the community and upon the life of Congregation Bene Israel. On this anniversary occasion, its present membership pays homage to those who have gone before and whose wisdom and foresightedness bequeathed a heritage of honor to the present.

 © 2000 by the Butler County Historical Society