TEMPLE B’NAI ISRAEL

TEMPLE B’NAI ISRAEL was founded as the Nutley Hebrew Congregation in the year 1928. During that period there were no more than six or seven Jewish families in Nutley and they met in various homes for prayer services. For one complete year they met in the Town Hall for services. The Congregation was not large enough for a Rabbi, Hebrew school or a religious school staff. For many years a part time Rabbi was called in to conduct services at various times of the year. In 1950 Rabbi Hyman Danzig assumed the spiritual leadership of the Temple. At that time only fourteen children were in the Religious School. Classes were held throughout the week with one teacher. In 1952 the Congregation dedicated its new wing to the Temple which is known as the Jewish Community Center wherein all social and athletic activities are held. A new school building was dedicated at the same time with all modern facilities for teaching. Rabbi Danzig is now beginning his tenth year with the Congregation together with a full staff of teachers and an enrollment of approximately 120 children. Mr. Morris Avirom serves as both Cantor and Principal of the school. Mrs. Morris Avirom is a full time instructor. Mrs. Sidney Karlan and Miss Susan Kliger are Sunday School teachers. Mr. Paul Kernoff is President of the Congregation. The other officers are as follows: Morton Schmall, First Vice-President; Herman Goldberg, Second Vice-President; Edward Salbin, Secretary; David Goldberg, Financial Secretary; Harold Miller, Treasurer; Meyer P. Smith, Auditor. Members of the Board of Trustees are Irving Blank, Herman Friedman, David Hunger, Herbert Koshar, Sidney Rogoff, Jacob Smith, Daniel Stern, Walter Wechsler, Abraham Weinstein, Julius Wilensky.

The Congregation has a membership of 200 Jewish families. The Sisterhood which is the main constituent organization of the Brotherhood has approximately 195 members. Mrs. Irving Blank is President of the Sisterhood.