| Object ID |
XXXX.027 |
| Object Name |
records |
| Abstract |
The Temple Beth Jacob (Pontiac) Collection consists of documents, photographs, and artifacts pertaining to the organization, history, and dissolution of Temple Beth Jacob in Pontiac, MI, the first Reform Jewish Congregation to be established in Oakland County.
A majority of the Temple's bulletins from 1941 to 1991 are in the collection, as well various other programs, brochures, and news clippings concerning various Temple events. Board of Directors' meeting minutes and correspondence, mostly from the closing years of the late eighties, are included, as well as property records and other financial documents.
There is some material on the Temple Beth Jacob Sisterhood, including meeting minutes and yearbooks.
There are oversized materials and artifacts in the collection, such as numerous notebooks, photographs, Torah covers and breastplates, and other ceremonial artifacts. |
| Admin/Biog History |
As the Jewish population of Pontiac, MI appreciably increased during the years of World War I, the need arose to organize the community. At first, Jews met only for High Holy Days. Eventually, religious instruction was held for their children, and the "Ladies Aid Society," later Sisterhood, was formed in 1918. An extension school out of Temple Beth El in Detroit was organized in 1919. B'nai B'rith Lodge No. 820 was formed by twelve men in 1920 and Temple Beth Jacob began as the Jewish Community Center of Pontiac, incorporated October 19, 1923 with a membership of fifty. Their building on Orchard Lake Road was dedicated in 1924. Orthodox and Reform Jews conducted separate services, but otherwise worked together. For the first several years of its existence the organization had no permanent rabbi. Laymen and neighboring rabbis conducted services, with Dr. Leo M. Franklin confirming the first graduation class in 1926. In 1932, Elmer Berger was elected first permanent rabbi and the community center changedits name to Temple Beth Jacob, in part to honor one of their most influential founding fathers, Jacob Kovinsky. In 1934, Temple Beth Jacob elected to go completely Reform. In 1955, Temple Beth Jacob dedicated a new building on Elizabeth Lake Road, and added a Nursery School in 1956. A Religious School addition was dedicated in 1970. One of Temple Beth Jacob's major fundraisers in its later years, beginning in 1976, was running a concession booth for Lions football games and other events at the Pontiac Silverdome. Due a shift in the Jewish population throughout the 1970s and '80s, a severe decline in membership occurred. This resulted in major financial difficulties for Temple Beth Jacob, ultimately forced to close its doors. Closing services were held in 1991 and the corporation was officially dissolved in 1993. The vast majority of its remaining members transferred to Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills, where the Temple's papers and artifacts were also transferred.
A more detailed account of
Temple Beth Jacob's history can be found in the various publications in the collection, most notably the 1955 new building dedication book, and various anniversary programs. |
| Creator |
Temple Beth Jacob, Pontiac, MI |
| Catalog date |
08/29/2001 |
| Collection |
Temple Beth Jacob (Pontiac) Collection |
| Container |
6 MS, 5 OS |
| Dates of Accumulation |
c.1991-92 |
| Finding Aids |
A finding aid is available. |
| Language |
English |
| Level of description |
Fonds |
| People |
Franklin, Seymour H./ Davidson, Joseph/ Rom, Melvyn Meyer/ German, Ben/ Katchka, Etta Rachel/ Katchka, Joseph Hirsch/ Rom, Jack/ Birnkrant, Saul/ Weiss, Richard A./ Franklin, Leo M./ Berger, Elmer/ Kovinsky, Jacob/ Goldberg, Nellie/ Goldberg, Leon/ Goldberg, Joe Neal/ Steinman, Irving/ Dickstein, Bea/ Dickstein, Herman/ Steinman, Mae/ |
| Home location |
Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives Stacks. |
| Related unit of descrip |
The National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods Collection contains material on the Temple Beth Jacob Sisterhood.
Many members of Temple Beth Jacob later became members of Temple Beth El. Materials pertaining to them may be found in other Beth El collections within the Franklin Archives. |
| Search Terms |
Detroit Reform Congregations/ Temple Beth Jacob (Pontiac)/ Ladies Aid Society/ Sisterhood of Temple Beth Jacob/ Jewish Community Center of Pontiac/ religious textiles/ Torah covers/ Torah breast plates/ tea set/ seder plate/ |
| Title |
Temple Beth Jacob (Pontiac) Collection |
|
