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]
| Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Leadership | Rabbi Ariana Silverman, Executive Director Rachel Rudman |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 1457 Griswold Street Detroit, Michigan,  United States |
| Geographic coordinates | 42.33450°N 83.05016°W |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Isaac Agree Memorial Society |
| Date established | 1921 |
| Website | |
| downtownsynagogue | |
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 Fintex department store. In the past, the congregation 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 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] which had been in poor condition and lacked office space for the synagogue's five full-time staff.[8] The building reopened in August 2023 and now houses offices for several local Jewish nonprofit organizations along with a community gathering space and a newly renovated sanctuary.[8]
As of 2023, the synagogue is the last in Detroit city limits.[9] It has a membership of 425 families.[8]
On October 21, 2023, Samantha Woll, the synagogue's president, was found stabbed to death outside her home in Lafayette Park.[10][11]
See also
References
- "History; Services". Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- Downtown Synagogue, The Lost Synagogues of Detroit. Accessed December 18, 2008.
- 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 Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- Gazman, Yevgeniya (August 24, 2023). "Grand Re-Opening of Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue". Detroit Jewish News. 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.