Synagogue History

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In 1947 Rabbi and Mrs. Charles Rubel came to Macon and the first Confirmation Class was presented. In December of that year a joyful meeting was held to celebrate the United Nation's resolution to partition Palestine, creating the State of Israel.

In 1948, the two houses on First Street, next to the synagogue, were purchased for $15,000. In 1949, the congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of America, and adopted for use the Silverman Prayer Book. The Auxiliary joined the National Women's League.

The campaign to build a center was started in 1950 under the administration of Sidney Backer. For the first time the congregation elected an Honorary President, Hyman Marshall. In 1952, the Ladies Auxiliary was represented on the Board of Governors by its president, Mrs. Mose Scharfman.

In 1953, during the administration of Isidore Goldman, the center was completed. It contained a large auditorium with a stage, a kitchen, ladies lounge, rabbi's study, library and five classrooms.

In 1954, during the administration of Izzie Chanin, the Men's Club was created with Dr Hyman Katz serving as its first president. The Auxiliary changed its name to Sherah Israel Sisterhood. Rabbi Rubel left Macon in 1958 and was followed by the arrival of Rabbi Morton A. Wallach. Also in 1958, Milton Marshall was elected president, making the first father and son ever to serve in this capacity. 1958 also marked the first time a woman, Mrs. Henry Koplin, was elected to the Board of Governors. In addition, in 1958 air conditioning was installed in the sanctuary. In 1959, only six years after the center’s completion, we were able to burn the mortgage. In 1960, the newly adopted Constitution and By-Laws of the congregation granted wives the right to share their husband's vote. In January of 1960, Joe Oliner was elected president and served in that capacity for eight months. Joe Levine followed and in 1961 long time treasurer Harry Schwartz was elected to serve as president.

Congregation elections were changed from January to May. The first Bat-Mitzvah was held that year and in 1962 Dr Pierce Annes came to Sherah Israel to serve as Rabbi.
In April of 1965, during the administration of Dr Hyman Katz, a total remodeling of the Sanctuary and basement took place. The Plum Street Foyer and the Barnett Chapel were added. The congregation pledged almost the entire sum of $110,000. By December of 1970 the note for remodeling the Synagogue was paid in full.

During the 1965-66 administration of Melvin Kruger, a new cemetery was purchased at Rose Hill. During the 1966 administration of Harry Chanin the Religious School began teaching the Sephardic pronunciation of Hebrew. In 1968, Morris Cohen began a two-year term as president followed by Myron Koplin who served for one year.

In 1971, Dr. Annes retired and was given the title of Rabbi Emeritus. In 1971 and 1972, Louis Chanin served as president. In 1971, during Hershene Goldman's term as vice-president of the Sisterhood, the Journal yearbook was introduced.

That same year the first woman, Beverly Kruger, was elected as an officer and served as treasurer. In 1972 a Torah Dedication was held in memory of Mose Scharfman and the Rabbi's Study was remodeled.

Rabbi Leo Heim came to our pulpit in 1973 and served for two years. Leo Brahn was elected president serving for two years. In January of 1974, during the second administration of Myron Koplin, a decision was made to allow women to be counted toward a minyan. By August of 1974, the congregation approved calling women to the Torah for Aliyot. Rabbi Joseph Weintraub came to our congregation for one year in April of 1975. Isadore Torch was elected president and served 1974-5.

Rabbi Robert Kravitz was hired in October 1977 during Leigh Brody's term as president and new prayer books were purchased for the High Holy Days. The Tree of Life in the foyer was donated by the children and grandchildren of Elsie and Dave Kruger in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary in July of 1978. Sigfried Dayan served as president of the congregation in 1979. In June of 1979, Beverly Kruger was the first woman to be elected president of Sherah Israel.
In 1980 the Dr. Lawrence A. Haskins Memorial Trust Fund was established to give scholarships for scholastic excellence to congregational youths between the ages of 10 and 20. In March of 1982, our congregation received a gift of its first Sephardic Torah to honor the life of Roslyn Dayan. Also in March of 1981 the Sisterhood voted to dissolve and merge with the congregation in all activities regarding financial and spiritual aid. In June of that year, Dr. David Frolich was voted president. His first duty was a joyous and momentous one. After one year of study, eight adults (seven women and one man), celebrated their Bar and Bat Mitzvah with the congregation.

In December of 1981, Rabbi Irwin Cutler was hired to fill the vacated Rabbi's position. His appointment was historically significant as his father also served our congregation during the early years. In 1982, the Board of Trustees was established to oversee the General Endowment Fund insuring the future of the congregation. Also, the Mary Glyck-Edelstein Trust Fund was presented in June of 1983.

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