Chicago Sinai Congregation

Chicago Sinai Congregation[lower-alpha 1] (founded 1861) is a notable American Jewish congregation associated with Reform Judaism located in Chicago. The current synagogue was designed by architect Dirk Lohan; completed in 1996, it includes stained glass by British artist Brian Clarke.

History

Founded in 1861, Chicago Sinai Congregation was the first Reform congregation to be established in Chicago.[1] During the nineteenth century, the congregation helped pioneer and promote the controversial ritual reform of the Sunday Sabbath (substituting Saturday for Sunday) for Jewish communities in America.[2][3]

In the late nineteenth century, the congregation became the site of speculation concerning the possibility of a woman rabbi in the United States. In 1897, Hannah G. Solomon of Chicago was touted in the press as America's first woman rabbi following her preaching at the congregation.[4][5] Solomon later reported that the invitation to speak was offered by Rabbi Emil Hirsch and that Hirsch's practice to allow Jewish women to speak from the pulpit was later adopted by other congregations.[6]

Architecture

Rabbis

The early rabbis to have served in the congregation include Bernhard Felsenthal (served from inception in 1861-1864), Isaac Leow Chronik (served from 1866-1871),[2] Kaufmann Kohler (served from 1871 to 1880),[3] Emil G. Hirsch (served from 1880-1923).[7][8] Rabbis in the twentieth century include Richard C. Hertz (served from 1947-1953),[9] and Philip N. Kranz (served from 1971-1980).[10]

  • Chicago Tribune reports the resignation of Rabbi Kaufmann Kohler from Chicago Sinai Congregation
    Chicago Tribune reports the resignation of Rabbi Kaufmann Kohler from Chicago Sinai Congregation
  • Sinai temple building depicted in 1912
    Sinai temple building depicted in 1912

Notes
  1. Also referred to as Temple Sinai or Sinai Temple.

References
  1. First Reform synagogue Chicago, www.chicagosinai.org.
  2. Olitzky, K. M. (1985). Sundays at Chicago Sinai Congregation: Paradigm for a Movement. American Jewish History, 74(4), 356-368.
  3. Olitzky, K. (1982). The Sunday-Sabbath Movement in American Reform Judaism: Strategy or Evolution?. American Jewish Archives, 34(1), 75-88.
  4. "The First Woman Rabbi". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, Vermont. 16 Mar 1897.
  5. "The First Woman Rabbi". Brandon Mail. Manitoba, Canada. 18 Mar 1897.
  6. Solomon, H. G. (1946). Fabric of My Life: The Autobiography of Hannah G. Solomon. New York: Bloch Publishing Company, pp. 111-112.
  7. Adler, C. and Vizetelly, F. H. (1906). Hirsch, Emil Gustav. Jewish Encyclopedia. Volume 6, pp. 410-411.
  8. Heilbrunn, B. A. (2012). Faith as motive for reform: Emil G. Hirsch and Chicago Jewish Progressives. University of Houston.
  9. A Finding Aid to the Richard C. Hertz Papers Manuscript Collection No. 675 American Jewish Archives.
  10. Rabbi Philip N. Kranz Papers, The Berman Museum.

41.8989°N 87.6287°W / 41.8989; -87.6287

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