From the mid-1800s onward, the greater Hartford region has been blessed with talented rabbis and cantors who have led our communities. This exhibit introduces some of the early leaders of the area’s synagogues, who played such an important role in building and shaping Jewish life in central Connecticut.
The biographies are arranged alphabetically; scroll through using the arrows or buttons at the bottom. Click anywhere on the slide to find additional information.
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Isaac Avigdor
Sanz, Poland
United Synagogues, 1962-1993
Published hundreds of articles in Jewish and Yiddish press describing his concentration camp experiences
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Avraham AvRutick
Kherson, Russia
Agudas Achim, 1946-1982
Led largest Orthodox synagogue in Connecticut; president of Rabbinic Council of America
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Hans Bodenheimer
Bad Nauheim, Germany
Tikvoh Chadoshoh, 1949-1996
Founded and led synagogue for German refugees
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
William Cohen
New York City
Beth David, 1946-1995
First rabbi of West Hartford’s first Orthodox synagogue; active in Zionist movement
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Abraham Feldman
Kiev, Ukraine
Congregation Beth Israel, 1925-1968
Leader in national Reform movement; co-founded Jewish Ledger; active in interfaith and civic causes
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Cemach Hoffenberg
Lithuania
Ados Israel, 1899-1938
Renowned Talmudic scholar
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Isaac Hurewitz
Kovno, Russia
Ados Israel, 1893-1897; Agudas Achim, 1897-1935; and Bet Hamedrash HaGadol (Garden St Synagogue)
First Eastern European rabbi in Hartford, known as Hartford’s “Chief Rabbi”; instrumental in founding Hartford’s Talmud Torah
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Stanley Kessler
Bethlehem, PA
Temple Beth El, 1954-1992
Founding rabbi of Beth El; involved in civil rights and civic organizations
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Arthur Koret
Hartford
Emanuel, 1949-1991
Hartford’s first native-born cantor; prominent nationally; produced radio program “Hartford Jewish Life"
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Philip Lazowski
Belitza, Poland
Beth Sholom (Hartford), 1954-1969; Beth Hillel, 1969-2000
Emanuel, 2011-
Author of Faith and Destiny describing his Holocaust experiences; led key Conservative synagogues
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Haskel Lindenthal
Wyzan, Poland
Teferes Israel, 1956-1996
Came to Hartford after training with Haganah in Palestine and assisting with Jewish immigration during the war
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Isaac Mayer
Alsace, France
Congregation Beth Israel, 1859-1867
The first rabbi of Hartford’s first synagogue; moved congregation towards Reform
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Abraham Nowak
New York City
Emanuel, 1920-1922
Emanuel’s first full-time rabbi
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Morris Silverman
Newburgh, NY
Emanuel, 1922-1961
National leader in Conservative movement, known for his prayer books; oversaw growth of Emanuel; involved in interfaith and civil rights causes
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Leon Spitz
Ponwez, Lithuania
Emanuel, 1919
Organized the first Conservative synagogue in Connecticut and several others in the northeast
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Leon Wind
Turka, Poland
Temple Beth Sholom (Manchester), 1945-1979
Led Manchester synagogue during period of growth
Name:
Birthplace:
Synagogue(s) and dates served:
Notable for:
Meyer Zywica
Bialystok, Poland
Ahavath Achim (Colchester), 1947-1950; Chevry Lombday Mishnayes, 1950-1974
Studied at yeshiva in Shanghai during WWII; important link to the Torah scholars of Europe
