Our History
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Want to see more photos? Louis Davidson, whose work can be found at Synagogues360.org, visited us in the summer of 2016. His panoramic photos and slideshows of the Rutland Jewish Center can be seen HERE. Google Maps also has some great 360° views. |
The first recorded presence of an organized Jewish community in the Rutland area appeared with the establishment of the congregation Anshei Sholom in West Rutland in 1906, but Jews were living in Vermont prior to the Civil War. The gravestones of East Poultney display dates from the early 1800’s.
By 1910, a movement of Jewish families from West Rutland to Rutland and a small influx of new families to the area served as theimpetus for the Rutland Jewish community to take on an identity of its own, called Adath Israel. For another score of years the Jews of Rutland held their services, meetings and classes in various building around town, including the old Marble Bank on Merchants Row. In February of 1927 the congregation purchased its present home, the former Baxter Memorial Library, for the princely sum of $12,500. The Congregation of Adath Israel was very proud of its new building, which had been designed by the same architect who designed the old Temple Emanuel on 43rd Street and 5th Avenue in New York City. It had "gas lights, an earth floor in the basement and a very poor furnace.” However, the Rutland Evening News of August 14, 1927 observed that the synagogue “…is really one of the most attractive buildings in the state.” |
inThe original building, which is listed in the National Historic Register, was enlarged in 1956. The addition provided space for events, an office for the rabbi, and classrooms.
Several rabbis have served as spiritual leader for the RJC over the years. They have included Rabbi Mazure, Rabbi Max Weine, Rabbi Ludwig Rader and Rabbi Jacob Handler. In 1960 Rabbi Solomon and Marilyn Goldberg came to our congregation to lead and to teach. Rabbi and Mrs. Goldberg retired as leaders of the RJC in April 2002. In August 2002, Rabbi Jerry Seidler became the congregation's first new rabbi in 42 years, serving as RJC's rabbi until March 2005. Rabbi Douglas Weber served from August 2005 through July 2017, and is now rabbi emeritus. Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman served as our spiritual leader October 2017 until June 2019. In July 2019, we welcomed Rabbi Ellie Shemtov as our spiritual leader.
Volunteer community service has always been at the heart of the Rutland Jewish Center. Since 1938, the congregation's longest ongoing commitment has been the Hospital Book Wagon. Members of the RJC collect and distribute magazines and softcover books to the patients at Rutland Regional Medical Center, and supply reading material to the waiting rooms. During World War II, RJC Sisterhood members rolled bandages for the Red Cross War effort and sold bonds. Although the Rutland Jewish Center no longer hosts a Sisterhood, our members continue to staff the canteen at Rutland's annual Red Cross Blood Drive, as they've done for more than 30 years.
The Rutland Jewish Center has undergone many periods of growth and change, both physically and spiritually. With newcomers to the area and longtime Vermonters comprising its members, the congregation looks forward to continued growth and development, to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse membership.
Several rabbis have served as spiritual leader for the RJC over the years. They have included Rabbi Mazure, Rabbi Max Weine, Rabbi Ludwig Rader and Rabbi Jacob Handler. In 1960 Rabbi Solomon and Marilyn Goldberg came to our congregation to lead and to teach. Rabbi and Mrs. Goldberg retired as leaders of the RJC in April 2002. In August 2002, Rabbi Jerry Seidler became the congregation's first new rabbi in 42 years, serving as RJC's rabbi until March 2005. Rabbi Douglas Weber served from August 2005 through July 2017, and is now rabbi emeritus. Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman served as our spiritual leader October 2017 until June 2019. In July 2019, we welcomed Rabbi Ellie Shemtov as our spiritual leader.
Volunteer community service has always been at the heart of the Rutland Jewish Center. Since 1938, the congregation's longest ongoing commitment has been the Hospital Book Wagon. Members of the RJC collect and distribute magazines and softcover books to the patients at Rutland Regional Medical Center, and supply reading material to the waiting rooms. During World War II, RJC Sisterhood members rolled bandages for the Red Cross War effort and sold bonds. Although the Rutland Jewish Center no longer hosts a Sisterhood, our members continue to staff the canteen at Rutland's annual Red Cross Blood Drive, as they've done for more than 30 years.
The Rutland Jewish Center has undergone many periods of growth and change, both physically and spiritually. With newcomers to the area and longtime Vermonters comprising its members, the congregation looks forward to continued growth and development, to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse membership.