Also see the History Of Oak Park Temple on the OPT Website
The following is from The Chicago Jewish Community Blue Book, 1918 (page 20):
ZION CONGREGATION OF WEST CHICAGO
Largely as a result of the stream of Jewish immigration from Germany (influenced by the European upheaval in the forties'), the Jewish population of Chicago so materially increased between 1837, when the first Jew arrived here, and 1864, that there was need of a fourth congregation in the city. The west side already at that time held some of the progressive, influential and prosperous Jews of Chicago. Several public meetings were convened in June, 1864. At the second meeting, attended by about fifty men, a permanent organization was effected, under the name of Zion Con- gregation of West Chicago. Henry Cireenebaum and Bernhard Felsenthal, through whose efforts the movement had been launched, were elected first president and rabbi, respectively. The Einhorn prayer book was adopted for all occasions of worship. The first services were held in a Baptist Church on the west side Sept. 30 (Rosh Hashonah), 1864. A house located on Desplaines street, between Madison street and Washington boulevard, later was purchased and turned into a Temple.
Under the leadership of Dr. Felsenthal, Zion Congregation became a prominent fac- tor in the spiritual and educational prog- ress of the Chicago community, and in the development of Reform in America. In 1869, pressed by the necessity of procuring larger quarters for the congregation, the members erected a new building at the corner of Sangamon and Jackson streets, and in 1884 built the present commodious Temple at Ogden avenue and Washington boulevard. At this time Rabbi Max Heller, now in New Orleans, Louisiana, was elected assistant to Rabbi Felsenthal. He remained in the position for two years. In 1886 Dr. Felsenthal retired, and in the following year Rabbi Joseph Stolz was elected his successor.
About seven years later a number of Zion Temple members who had moved to the south side of the city organized the Isaiah Congregation, taking Rabbi Stolz with them.
Zion Temple is spoken of as the "mother of Isaiah." This child-birth was extremely painful to the mother. Her resources were drained to the point of exhaustion, but, with the aid of a few loyal workers, she managed to pull through the critical period. Dr. Hirsch came to the assistance of the struggling congregation by lecturing at the Friday evening services for a period of two years, while Joseph K. Arnold officiated at the Saturday service and conducted the school.
From 1898 to 1900 Mr. Arnold was full rabbi in charge. In 1900 Jacob S. Jacobson was elected rabbi of the congregation, and held office until 1908. From 1908 to 1913 Rabbi Israel Klein was in charge. Rabbi Samuel S. Cohon, elected in 1913, is the present incumbent of the Zion pulpit.
The following men have held the office of president: Henry Greenebaum (1864-1873), David Simon (1873-1881), M. M. Hirsch (1881-1883), Henry Greenebaum (1883- 1884), L. Buxbaum (1884-1886), A. Gott- lieb (1886-1887), Max Goodkind (1887- 1889), Michael Greenebaum (1889-1891), Jacob Schram (1891-1897), Rudolph Gerber (1897-1904), L. W. Abt (1904-190.5), Benjamin Wolf (1905-1906). Alex. Cassriel (1906-1907), Harry Goldstein (1908-1909), Max Samuels (1909-1910), Frank Herst (1910-1911), Bernard Stein (1911-1912) and Benjamin Wolf (1912 — ).
In the course of time, the personnel of Zion Congregation changed. The new influx of immigrants in the '80s brought great masses of Jews from Russia and other countries. While most of the Jews from Eastern lands are unqualifiedly orthodox, great numbers of them crave for a more progressive expression of Judaism. Thus Zion Temple is no longer connected with one European spot. Its membership is drawn from the Jews of Germany, Austria, Hungary and Russia. This is the true crucible in which the various elements of Jewry are assimilated into a more spiritual Jewish union.
Officers, 1917-18 President — Benj. Wolf.
Vice-President — Maurice M. Udwin.
Secretary — Samuel Zorah Pincus.
Treasurer — Albert Bloch.
Directors — Mrs. S. Broworsky, Sig Greenbaum, Frank Herst, Emil Levit, Mau- rice Markowitz, Isaac Marks, Louis Marks, Maurice Pulver, Bernhard Stein.
ZION CONGREGATION OF WEST CHICAGO
Largely as a result of the stream of Jewish immigration from Germany (influenced by the European upheaval in the forties'), the Jewish population of Chicago so materially increased between 1837, when the first Jew arrived here, and 1864, that there was need of a fourth congregation in the city. The west side already at that time held some of the progressive, influential and prosperous Jews of Chicago. Several public meetings were convened in June, 1864. At the second meeting, attended by about fifty men, a permanent organization was effected, under the name of Zion Con- gregation of West Chicago. Henry Cireenebaum and Bernhard Felsenthal, through whose efforts the movement had been launched, were elected first president and rabbi, respectively. The Einhorn prayer book was adopted for all occasions of worship. The first services were held in a Baptist Church on the west side Sept. 30 (Rosh Hashonah), 1864. A house located on Desplaines street, between Madison street and Washington boulevard, later was purchased and turned into a Temple.
Under the leadership of Dr. Felsenthal, Zion Congregation became a prominent fac- tor in the spiritual and educational prog- ress of the Chicago community, and in the development of Reform in America. In 1869, pressed by the necessity of procuring larger quarters for the congregation, the members erected a new building at the corner of Sangamon and Jackson streets, and in 1884 built the present commodious Temple at Ogden avenue and Washington boulevard. At this time Rabbi Max Heller, now in New Orleans, Louisiana, was elected assistant to Rabbi Felsenthal. He remained in the position for two years. In 1886 Dr. Felsenthal retired, and in the following year Rabbi Joseph Stolz was elected his successor.
About seven years later a number of Zion Temple members who had moved to the south side of the city organized the Isaiah Congregation, taking Rabbi Stolz with them.
Zion Temple is spoken of as the "mother of Isaiah." This child-birth was extremely painful to the mother. Her resources were drained to the point of exhaustion, but, with the aid of a few loyal workers, she managed to pull through the critical period. Dr. Hirsch came to the assistance of the struggling congregation by lecturing at the Friday evening services for a period of two years, while Joseph K. Arnold officiated at the Saturday service and conducted the school.
From 1898 to 1900 Mr. Arnold was full rabbi in charge. In 1900 Jacob S. Jacobson was elected rabbi of the congregation, and held office until 1908. From 1908 to 1913 Rabbi Israel Klein was in charge. Rabbi Samuel S. Cohon, elected in 1913, is the present incumbent of the Zion pulpit.
The following men have held the office of president: Henry Greenebaum (1864-1873), David Simon (1873-1881), M. M. Hirsch (1881-1883), Henry Greenebaum (1883- 1884), L. Buxbaum (1884-1886), A. Gott- lieb (1886-1887), Max Goodkind (1887- 1889), Michael Greenebaum (1889-1891), Jacob Schram (1891-1897), Rudolph Gerber (1897-1904), L. W. Abt (1904-190.5), Benjamin Wolf (1905-1906). Alex. Cassriel (1906-1907), Harry Goldstein (1908-1909), Max Samuels (1909-1910), Frank Herst (1910-1911), Bernard Stein (1911-1912) and Benjamin Wolf (1912 — ).
In the course of time, the personnel of Zion Congregation changed. The new influx of immigrants in the '80s brought great masses of Jews from Russia and other countries. While most of the Jews from Eastern lands are unqualifiedly orthodox, great numbers of them crave for a more progressive expression of Judaism. Thus Zion Temple is no longer connected with one European spot. Its membership is drawn from the Jews of Germany, Austria, Hungary and Russia. This is the true crucible in which the various elements of Jewry are assimilated into a more spiritual Jewish union.
Officers, 1917-18 President — Benj. Wolf.
Vice-President — Maurice M. Udwin.
Secretary — Samuel Zorah Pincus.
Treasurer — Albert Bloch.
Directors — Mrs. S. Broworsky, Sig Greenbaum, Frank Herst, Emil Levit, Mau- rice Markowitz, Isaac Marks, Louis Marks, Maurice Pulver, Bernhard Stein.
