Temple Beth Jacob, a Reform Jewish congregation, was established in 1854. Jews were recorded in the Hudson Valley as early as the 1650's, when Asser Levy insisted on his right to serve in the New Netherlands Guard to protect the colony. Isaac Newstadt was the first Jew known to permanently settle in Newburgh, followed by Henry Hirschberg, and Abraham Schoenfield. This trio opened their homes for worship, hosting services for each other and fellow Jews.
By 1854, seven families residing in Newburgh formed the first Jewish congregation. They rented space in Crawford Hall at the southwest corner of Front and Third Streets, purchased the Big Rock Cemetery on upper First Street, and chose the name Beth Jacob. One of the most noted Jewish scholars of his day, Joshua Ben Mordecai Falk Hakohen, became the first Rabbi. In 1873, the entire top floor of the Townsend Building, at Third and Water Streets, became the new “House of Assembly.” In 1890, the congregation decided to erect a synagogue on South Street, between Liberty and Grand, which was completed and dedicated on September 8, 1891, as a Reform synagogue.
In 1954, under the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Maurice J. Bloom, Congregation Beth Jacob celebrated its hundredth anniversary. Rabbi Bloom’s spiritual, scholarly, and civic leadership impacted the state, nation, and Jewish world at large, while the congregation grew from 44 members to over 200 families. His vision for larger quarters became the reality for others in 1958. The congregation moved to its present location at Gidney Avenue while Rabbi Norman Kahan was its spiritual leader from 1956 to 1968.
Rabbi Hirshel Jaffe began a 25-year term as our religious leader, in 1974. He opened our eyes to important Jewish issues here and around the world. When hostages in Iran included Jewish prisoners, he volunteered to go and counsel them along with non-Jewish clergy. He and Cantor Bill Satzman established a tradition of excellence in learning for our Bar/Bat Mitzvah students, who were able to lead services with a skill and understanding of their tradition. Jaffe’s book, Why Me, Why Anyone, chronicling his struggle with illness, has been an inspiration to many. Hirshel Jaffe is presently a Rabbi Emeritus of the congregation.
The congregation approached the secular world’s new millennium with the installation of Rabbi Robert L. Rozenberg. Many of the Temple’s issues, plans, and hopes echoed those of past generations. Through the Temple’s leadership, teaching our youth, inspiring our adults, creating a caring community, and developing a literate congregation whose beliefs are grounded in Torah will continue to be our focus in the future, as they were in the past. Rabbi Rozenberg is being honored as Rabbi Emeritus on November 2, 2007.
Our 100th Anniversary booklet’s forward by Rabbi Bloom says it all: “House of Jacob, let us go in the light of the Lord!” This has been the motto of the congregation for over 100 years, as it has been the motto of our people for over 4,000 years.
