Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue is a synagogue located at 1457 Griswold Street in Detroit, Michigan, US. The Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit holds services jointly with the Isaac Agree Synagogue.[1]
History
The Isaac Agree Memorial Society was formed in 1921 by the Agree, Canvasser, Kaplan, Rosin and Zatkin families.[2] The synagogue went through two periods when it did not own a permanent building. The congregation purchased its location on Griswold Street and Clifford Street, its third home, from the former Fyntex department store. In the past, the shul had hundreds of members, joined by Jewish businessmen visiting and working in the city. Six hundred worshipers attended the synagogue's High Holiday services in 2007, which were open to all.[3]
In 2000, the congregation drew 25 to 30 worshipers for Shabbat services on Saturday mornings.[4] Rabbi Ariana Silverman has served as its rabbi since 2016.[5] In 2008 the Shabbat morning prayer services were the only weekly scheduled services offered by the synagogue;[3] however, by 2014 the weekly offerings expanded to include Thursday morning and Friday evening services.[6]
As of 2008[update] patrons and staff of a neighboring club had joined together to develop a plan to help revitalize the synagogue. A contractor estimated that it would cost US$450,000 to repair the building and convert the top two floors into living and work space. The group approached the board with the proposal.[3]
In 2022, the synagogue marked its centennial with a block party and groundbreaking on a US$ 5 million project to expand and renovate its building. [7]
As of 2023[update], the synagogue is the last in Detroit city limits.[8]
On October 21, 2023, Samantha Woll, the synagogue's president, was found stabbed to death outside her home in Lafayette Park.[9][10]
See also
References
- ^ "History; Services". Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ^ Downtown Synagogue, The Lost Synagogues of Detroit. Accessed December 18, 2008.
- ^ a b c Aguilar, Louis. "Saving Detroit's last synagogue", The Detroit News, December 18, 2008. Accessed December 18, 2008.
- ^ Staff. "Downtown synagogue rabbi and members keep the faith", The Detroit News, December 27, 2000. Accessed December 18, 2008.
- ^ "Staff". Accessed October 22, 2023.
- ^ "Services". Accessed November 29, 2014.
- ^ Lapin, Andrew (August 15, 2022). "Detroit's last synagogue, now turning 100, hopes to be a beacon of the city's Jewish communal future". Jewish Telepathic Agency. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ Sabur, Rozina (October 21, 2023). "Prominent Jewish leader found stabbed to death in Detroit". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ Ikonomova, Violet (October 21, 2023). "Detroit synagogue president Samantha Woll found dead outside her home". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ Smart, Sara; Tucker, Emma (October 21, 2023). "President of Detroit synagogue found stabbed to death outside home, police say". CNN. Retrieved October 21, 2023.