history
As the only Synagogue in Hoboken, New Jersey,
today the United Synagogue of Hoboken gives living expression
to over 135 years of Jewish settlement in our community.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Hoboken was a major immigration port, and the Port of Embarkation for the Allied Forces in World War 1. Many local commercial and retail businesses were owned by Jewish residents of Hoboken, who probably numbered over 3,000 men, women and children. Jewish life in Hoboken was at its peak just after World War I, when there were six synagogues.
TWO COMMUNITIES UNITED
The United Synagogue of Hoboken was organized in 1947 through the union of the Hoboken Jewish Center -- founded in the 1920's as a Conservative congregation -- and the Congregation Star of Israel -- organized in 1910 as an Orthodox congregation.
The Hoboken Jewish Center was established by former members of the Star
of Israel seeking a more liberal environment in the then-emerging Conservative
movement. They purchased, occupied, and renovated a circa-1890 brown stone
residence at 830 Hudson Street, adding a 120-seat sanctuary, gymnasium,
and offices; and upstairs residences, occupied by the rabbi and the rabbi's
family, a Learning Center teacher, and, at times, a caretaker.
In the 1940's and '50s, the upper floors were used as Hebrew School classrooms. From 1947 until 1997, 830 Hudson Street served as the United Synagogue of Hoboken's office, social and educational center, and rabbinical residence.
The Star of Israel Congregation built and occupied in 1915 a beautiful
sanctuary and social hall at 115 Park Avenue. The building exemplifies
traditional European 19th century synagogue architecture and sanctuary
design. Although in need of extensive restoration, its classic lines,
extraordinary acoustic qualities, historic wood, murals, and stained glass
finishes offer members and visitors a truly beautiful and inspiring place
for prayer, study and celebration. In the 1960's and '70s, the building
was only used for High Holy Day services, as Shabbat services and most
community functions were held at 830 Hudson Street.
RESURGENCE OF HOBOKEN JEWISH LIFE
Post-World War II suburbanization reduced the community's size to less than 300 by the early 1970's. In the 1980's, however, the community began to experience a resurgence, as young Jewish singles, couples, and families began to move into Hoboken and neighboring towns. In the late 1980's, the Children's Learning Center was founded to provide supplementary Jewish education to the children of the congregation.
The United Synagogue of Hoboken engaged part-time rabbis with orthodox smicha until the early 1980's. Since then, its pulpit has been occupied by graduates of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. In 1985, the United Synagogue of Hoboken embraced an egalitarian policy, and soon thereafter became formally affiliated as a member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. In 1989 the congregation hired Rabbi Stephanie Dickstein, one of the first women graduates of the Rabbinical School of JTS.
OTHER HOBOKEN JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS
To this day, Post 55 of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States maintains an active presence, although their numbers are dwindling. Past Post Commander and World War II veteran Stanley Silver z''l was an active member of the Synagogue Board of Trustees for over 20 years; he also served as General Chairman of the annual Hoboken UJA Campaign.
From the 1930's into the 1960's, Hoboken boasted active chapters of the Hadassah, Histadrut, Pioneer Women, Zionist Organization of America, and an annual Israel Bond Campaign.
We witnessed in the 1990's a remarkable revival of both shul-centered and community-wide Jewish religious and cultural activity. A young and vigorous section of the National Council of Jewish Women was established and carries on an active program of events and community service projects. The United Synagogue of Hoboken was instrumental in the re-organization of the Jewish Family Service of Jersey City, Bayonne, and Hoboken; Hoboken had never before been a part of this well-established social service organization.
The United Jewish Communities Young Leadership Division conducts the annual UJC Campaign in Hoboken.
A special group has arisen in the past few years: J*YAH, an outlet for Jewish young adults (in their 20's and 30's) to meet and connect with other Jewish young adults in the greater Hoboken area.
SYNAGOGUE ACTIVITIES AND ATMOSPHERE
The Rabbinical leadership represents the Jewish community through participation in the Hoboken Clergy Coalition, and also among Hudson County's Jewish clergy. The synagogue has received a number of grants and awards for innovative programming.
In recent years, our Children's Learning Center has steadily grown to a current enrollment of over 100 children. The Learning Center has been the recipient of grants from the Hordes Foundation of Hudson County. A full program of adult education classes is also offered. The last ten years have brought an influx of young adults to Hoboken, including large numbers of Jewish singles in their 20's and 30's. A very diverse and transient Jewish population challenges the congregation's ingenuity and creativity to embrace all who come: young, old, traditional, and alternative lifestyles.
Shabbat and Festival services are remarkable for their degree of member participation and leadership. Over the years, a small core of long-time members with synagogue, cantorial, and Jewish communal leadership skills has taught those skills to others, producing significant numbers of members prepared and qualified to lead services, read Torah, chant Haftorah, lead discussions, and deliver D'vrei Torah. Children, even if sometimes noisy, are always welcome in the sanctuary during services.
THE NEXT STEP
In 1997, the historic decision was made to sell
the aging Jewish Center building at 830 Hudson Street, using the proceeds
to partially fund an addition to the Star of Israel building at Park Avenue
to include classroom and office space and elevator access to all floors.
An extraordinarily successful capital campaign, spearheaded by loyal and
generous members of the community, enabled us to raise the necessary funds
for this project, which was dedicated in the Spring of 2000 as The
Kaplan Family Learning Center. A second campaign is currently underway
to renovate the Star of Israel sanctuary and social hall.
RABBIS -- PAST and PRESENT
| 1997 - Present | Rabbi Rob Scheinberg | For Rabbi Scheinberg's sermons and D'vrei Torah, see the
Rabbi's Page. Contact Rabbi Scheinberg. |
| 1995 - 1997 | Rabbi Lia Bass | |
| 1989 - 1995 | Rabbi Stephanie Dickstein | |
| 1987 - 1989 | Rabbi Kenneth Katz | |
| 1982 - 1987 | Rabbi Jeff Marker | |
| 1980 - 1981 | Rabbi Mark Urkowitz | |
| 1974 - 1980 | Rabbi Alex Pronman |