Congregation of Moses

Founded in 1891

The second Jewish congregation established in Kalamazoo focused on the teachings, practices and customs of Conservative Judaism. The Congregation of Moses, currently headquartered in their synagogue at 2501 Stadium Drive, was established in 1891 “by a small group of dedicated Jewish residents in Kalamazoo. They felt that the Jewish tradition had to be perpetuated and they knew that a house of worship, study and religious brotherhood was the indispensable means of safe-guarding the growth of their precious heritage.”

The Articles of Incorporation for the Congregation of the Children of the House of Moses were filed with the city of Kalamazoo in 1891, but it wasn’t until 1902 when property near the corner of E. South and S. Pitcher Street was purchased at the cost of $1100. The congregation’s first building wouldn’t be constructed until four years later at 431 E. South Street. In 1905, the name of the congregation was officially shortened to the Congregation of Moses by a vote of its sixteen members. Founding members included Jacob Gumbinsky, J. Lewis, Abram Brand, J.F. Silverman, M. Sustein, Mitchell Sternfield, J. Rooden, J. Schacufsky, Abram Goldberg, J. Blaskey, and J. Shinberg. In 1907, the unpretensious, brick synagogue was dedicated, and opened to its members. That same year saw the congregation purchase a parcel of land in Riverside Cemetery that would provide for burial plots for their members. Over the coming decades, the synagogue developed a variety of programs that addressed both religious, cultural and civic concerns, including the development of a Hebrew school, a Youth Group, a Men’s Club, and a Sisterhood of the Congregation of Moses.

“By 1911 the synagogue boasted a Ladies Aid Society. Young boys were being trained for Bar Mitzvah, services were being conducted and holidays were being observed. Meanwhile an indefatigable group of dedicated women were in the synagogue kitchen preparing refreshments for all these occasions. In addition they were tirelessly sponsoring parties, bazaars, suppers and raffles to enrich the coffers of the synagogue. Charitable deeds were also a significant part of their work. Many a struggling local family were recipients of the Ladies Aid unobtrusive largesse, as bags of groceries and tons of coal found their way to needy households.”

–Congregation of Moses 100th Anniversary, 1891-1991

As the community grew, so did the congregation, and by the 1940s, the synagogue was looking to expand into larger quarters. In 1946, they purchased the former building of Temple B’nai Israel at 621 S. Park Street. This was also the year the mortgage for the first building was paid off. In 1954, the congregation broke ties with Orthodox Judaism, becoming a charter member of the United Synagogue of America. As the 1950s came to an end, synagogue leaders once more considered the need to expand. So, in 1960, a campaign to raise funds for a new building took place, leading to the cementing of the cornerstone of a brand new facility that would provide the congregation with updated amentitites, including space for a sanctuary, auditorium, library and school classrooms. In June of 1961, the new synagogue opened its doors to 160 families on 12 acres of land. The sleek, modern building reflected the architectural details of the International Style with its open floor plan, horizontal orientation, rejection of ornamentation, and flat roof. After moving into their new building, the second synagogue on Park Street was slated for demolition, eventually being torn down in November of 1965.

Past Rabbis of the Congregation

1899 Abraham Smith

1901 Julius Yudelson

1904 Samuel Burack

1905 Abraham Hoffman

1911 Elias Schofield

1912 Abraham Hoffman (or Kaufman)

1913 Rockmiel Goller

1915 Samuel Finkelstein

1916 Meyer Faber

1924 Zachary Kramer

1929 Moses Teitelman

1931 Jacob Klitzer (or Klitzner)

1937 Herman Price

1943 Nathan Levinson

1944 Aaron Segal

1944 Abraham J. Tuchman

1947 Nathan Levinson

1952 Herman Grossman

1957 Hyman Cohen

1959 Arthur S. Hollander

1960 Myron Movsky

1970 Samuel Levenberg

1974 Kenneth Berger

1979 Richard Spiegal

1988 Harvey Spivak

2016 Jeremy Szczepanski

2018 Harvey Spivak

2021 Hannah Estrin

2023 Shelley Goldman

Source: Congregation of Moses 100th Anniversary, 1891-1991

Article written by Ryan Gage, Kalamazoo Public Library staff, May 2025