Dedicate Synagogue Sunday
Daily Times News
October 1, 1956

     Public dedication of Synagogue Center at the corner of Brown and Crosslanes took place Sunday afternoon
with over 250 persons attending.  The ceremony marked the formal opening of the new religious center for the
Central Michigan Jewish Community Association.
     T. George Sternberg of Bay City, president of the Michigan Region of the United Synagogue of America,
presented the charter of membership.  Guests at the service included Mayor G. R. Denison, the Reverend
Stanley P. Kirn, and Dr. C. L. Anspach, as well as rabbis from Saginaw, Flint and Grand Rapids.
     Rabbi J. Kratzenstein of Bay City gave the dedication address.  Eugene Traines served as chairman of
the ceremony.
     Construction began on the Synagogue a year ago, and the cement block building, with a front made
of Roman brick and glass blocks, measures 40 by 67 feet. 
     While membership numbered 18 families when the building was started, 27 families from six counties now
attend services, some coming from Harrison, Gladwin, Big Rapids, and Ithaca.
     Officers of the association are Sam Wunderbaum, president; Carvel Wolfson, vice-president; Doris Mehl,
secretary; ad Gene Traines, treasurer. Board members include:  Dr. P. Silvert; Ben Simon, Carl Feldman and
Robert Klein.

Additional notes:  The cornerstone for the Temple was laid on October 26, 1955.  Temple Benjamin is located at 502 North Brown Street. 

Original Members:

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ginsbert            Mt. Pleasant
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Traines          Mt. Pleasant
Mr. and Mrs. Irwin J. Traines         Mt. Pleasant
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Traines         Mt. Pleasant
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Simons              Alma
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mel                    Gladwin
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Goldberg         Gladwin
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Berman            Ithaca
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Klein                  Big Rapids
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Wunderbaum    Mt. Pleasant
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Klein              Mt. Pleasant
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Traines               Mt. Pleasant
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Traines          Mt. Pleasant
Mr. and Mrs. Leo Simons                Alma
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Simons                 Alma
Mr. and Mrs. Carvel Wolfson           Gladwin
Dr. and Mrs. Silvert                         Vestaburg
Mr. and Mrs. Stirling Berman            Ithaca
Mrs. Abe Rice                                 Gladwin
Mr. Sam Wunderbaum                     Mt. Pleasant 

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