Golf Manor Synagogue

The Golf Manor Synagogue also known as Congregation Agudas Israel is an orthodox Jewish synagogue located in Golf Manor, Ohio. The synagogue is affiliated with the Union of Orthodox Congregations of America. The synagogue is currently led by Rabbi Hanan Balk. Rabbi Stuart Lavenda is the Assistant Rabbi. The sanctuary appears to be constructed like an inverted ark with stained glass and colorful tapestries depicting Mount Sinai and the Holy Ark that carried the Ten Commandment tablets.

History

The synagogue was founded in 1902 as the B'nai Israel Congregation. In 1933, the congregations of Anshei Shalom and Bnai Jacob congregations merged to form Congregation Agudas Israel Beth Hakneseth. The name was later shortened to Agudas Israel. (This is disputable without a reliable source! Please cite a proper reference.)

Rabbi David I. Indich

In 1952 as the Jewish population moved from Avondale to the Roselawn/Golf Manor area, the synagogue considered the move. Rabbi Indich led the expanding congregation's High Holiday services in the Golf Manor Civic Hall in 1955 and in 1956 a committee was formed to oversee the new relocation to Golf Manor. Groundbreaking was held that year, followed by the first services in temporary quarters in 1957. It would take ten years for the current beautiful synagogue structure to be completed. During this time, Rabbi Indich's warmth and passion led to a membership of close to 300 families. Most of the families were raised in a traditional environs but were not necessarily fully observant. Rabbi Indich's regard for his congregants and his vibrant personality was greatly responsible for being able to hold on to such individuals, many of whose children would leave orthodoxy. At the time, the shul was firmly established as the major orthodox congregation in Cincinnati as well as a leading orthodox congregation in the midwest. (This is disputable without a reliable source! Please cite a proper reference. This is also almost plagiarized word for word.)

External links

• Golf Manor Synagogue
• Children tell Hanukkah story in radio program
• Shulchan Cover in Golf Manor Synagogue