Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai of Northeast Jewish Community Center.

WHEREAS, Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai was founded in 1925 by Miriam Magil Rubin in Northeast Philadelphia and in the beginning, the congregation, made up of merchants, met for religious services in the home of Morris and Fannie Pass, as well as in the homes above their stores; and

WHEREAS, Eventually an old Acme food store building, located at Tyson Avenue and Walker Street, was found and used to hold services and activities. The members then sought formal recognition as a religious organization and called itself the Northeast Jewish Community Center; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognized the congregation in 1936 and issued its Charter; and

WHEREAS, Rabbi Abraham H. Israelitan became their spiritual leader in 1947 and as the Jewish community grew larger, the cornerstone of the new building was laid in 1951. The synagogue was completed and dedicated as Temple Menorah on November 9, 1952; and

WHEREAS, The new building had a sanctuary, the Miriam Magil Rubin Auditorium, a stage, kitchen and Rae P. Levin Gift Shop as well as three modern classrooms. The older building was used for the Classroom Thrift Shop, operated by members of the Sisterhood to provide operation costs to the synagogue; and

WHEREAS, Through the years everyone worked hard to maintain the congregation and activities such as theatre performances, social dances, bridge clubs and member trips. Members volunteered at Frankford Hospital and started the “Cook for a Friend” project and even started a singles groups that resulted in several marriages; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, Temple Menorah was the first congregation to provide religious tutoring, established the Institute for the Learning Disabled and also sponsored the newsletter,

Menorah Light

;

and

WHEREAS, After the death of Rabbi Israelitan in 1987, the synagogue merged with Keneseth Chai under the direction of Rabbi Nason Goldstein and became known as Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Rabbi Sandra Berliner, Merle Crean, Amber Powers and now Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan have led the congregation with strong character, dedicated service and majestic faith; now therefore

RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby congratulate the Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai on their 80th Anniversary.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the congregation of Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai with best wishes of continued success, achievement and growth.

COUNCILWOMAN JOAN L. KRAJEWSKI

MARCH 31, 2005