REFORM CONGREGATION OHEB SHOLOM
13th and Perkiomen Reading PA 19602 (610) 373-4623
NEW ADDRESS - 555 Warick Drive, Wyomissing Hills, PA 19610
Phone 610 375-6034
In 1864, the Jews of Reading, feeling the need to organize,
met to form a congregation. They chose the name Oheb Sholom- He who loves
peace. The founders were: Henry Loeb, L. Furth, B. Drufos, Sol Hirsh, Al
Speier, M. Einstein, Aaron Henlein, Solomon Weil, Isaac Schwerein, Marcus
Lyons, R. Aust:rian, Isaac Mann, Isaac Hirshland, Joseph Loeb, Jacob Levy,
H. Arnold and Aaron Einstein.
For the first twenty years services were held in rented space at several
locations. In 1884 a church was purchased and renovated and became the home
of the congregation. That same year, a committee was formed and worked on
a more reformed or moclified way for religious services- a revolutionary
new concept. A Reform prayer book was then used by the 34 member families.
In 1919 it was decided to design and build a new home for the Congregation.
A considerable sum was pledged for a new building at the gala birthday celebration
for Henry Loeb, the only living charter member.
Aware
of the importance of social action, both in st:rengthening community relations
with the non-Jewish community, and within the Jewish community world-wide,
the Temple has played an important part in cementing relationships. The
Connection program- the proponent of the Caring Community, has been the
initiator to develop programs for the needs of our senior citizens. The
Temple has received national recognition several times for its programs
and has been one of only two in the country to be so honored.
Rabbi Weitzman, the spiritual leader of the congregation for twenty-four years,
retired in August 1998, leaving the pulpit to Rabbi Brian I. Michelson.
In 1977, the Congregation started to use the Gates of Prayer- the newly
adopted prayerbook of the Reform movement. This prayerbook utilizes more
Hebrew in its services and has brought about the choice of more t:radition
for those who wish that direction while remaining liberal in its approach.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah have become more important plateaus on the path to the
ultimate milestone In the Reform movement of Confirmation. The Liberal movement
welcomes the opportunity to educate those wishing to become part of the
Jewish religion and Oheb Sholom recognizes the importance of encouraging
those of Jewish heritage to remain involved In Judaism.
Oheb Sholom's most recent presidents have been: Col. Stanly Folkman, Arthur
Hammel, Samuel Cohen, Irvin Berger, Dr. Harold Nazimov, Joseph Sherman,
Dr. Gerald Frank, Bruce A. Cohen, Dr. Ellis F. Friedman, Murry Knoblauch
and Barbara G. Stein. Barbara Stein is the first woman president of the
125 year old Congregation. Her husband was Jack Loeb Stein, great, great,
grandson of one of the original charter members, Henry Loeb. To date, their
son Kenneth M. Stein, Is the last living direct descendent of a charter
member of the Temple.
Photo: G. Issod
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