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The Synagogue in Greater Philadelphia: Recent Past, Present, and Future

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The Synagogue in Greater Philadelphia: Recent Past, Present, and Future THE SYNAGOGUE IN GREATER PHILADELPHIA: RECENT PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE RABBI AARON LANDES Rabbi Emeritus, Beth Sholom Congregation, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania and Rear Admiral (Ret.), U.S. Navy This article examines contemporary Jewish religious life and its future in the context of Greater Philadelphia's Jewry's long history. It concentrates on the last three decades and analyzes trends that may hint at the future. Distinguished rabbinic leaders from each of the four major movements describe, in historical order, their movements from within. My observations with regard to the recent past, the present, and the future of synagogue life in Greater Philadelphia follow their contributions. ^ • ^ ORTHODOX JEWISH PHILADELPHIA— AN OVERVIEW OF PAST AND PRESENT RABBI DOV AARON BRISMAN Orthodox Beth Din of Philadelphia lthough I do not specialize in historical both communities included presiding over Aevaluations, as an "insider" I hope to kashrut, rabbinic litigation, marriage and di­ present an accurate perspective on the Ortho­ vorce, and other halakhic matters. Initially dox Jewish community of Greater Philadel­ this title only represented several out of phia. Its development follows a general pat­ many synagogues in both communities. tern that reflects almost all major American Rabbi Kleinberg passed away in 1891. Jewish communities. Subsequent to Rabbi Kleinberg's passing, the four synagogues that he had served hired CHIEF RABBINATE (and imported) his son-in-law, Rabbi Dov Philadelphia's earliest congregations were Aryeh (Benard Louis) Levinthal (1865- of course Orthodox and during the mid-nine­ 1952), as his successor (Temkin, 1998). teenth century, Isaac Leeser led Mikveh Is­ Rabbi Levinthal served in this position for rael and staunchly defended traditional Juda­ nearly sixty years until his passing. During ism (Sussman, 1995). Nevertheless, the rise his tenure as Chief Rabbi of Philadelphia, of a chief rabbinate in Philadelphia awaited Rabbi Levinthal enjoyed an international the massive immigration of east European reputation for his leadership. The role that he Jews to the United States after 1881. The played in the promulgation of Orthodox Ju­ first Chief Rabbi of Philadelphia was Rabbi daism both nationally and internationally is Eliezer Kleinberg. Prior to his arrival in Phil­ beyond the scope of this article. He also adelphia, Rabbi Kleinberg served as dayan played a very significant role in the growth (rabbinical adjudicator) in Wilnius (Vilna), and development of the Philadelphia Jewish Lithuania. He was appointed to the Philadel­ community. phia position shortiy after his colleague. Although Rabbi Levinthal was initially Rabbi Jacob Joseph (also a former dayan in hired as Chief Rabbi by only four syna­ Wilnius), had been appointed Chief Rabbi in gogues, he eventually united all of the Or­ New York. The duty of the Chief Rabbi in thodox synagogues and their rabbis into one 204 The Synagogue in Greater Philadelphia / 205 unified council, the Vaad Hoeir. A united THE PHILADELPHIA BETH DIN Kashrut Council (Vaad Hakashrut) was es­ (RABBINICAL COURT) tablished, which supervised ritual slaughter (shechita) and kosher butchers. The Chief The primary function of the Beth Din of Rabbi also served as the head of a viable Greater Philadelphia, which was established in the late 1880s, is to arrange gittin (Jewish Beth Din. divorces) and dinei Torah (court actions to The integrity of these organizations adjudicate monetary disputes). Its members stemmed from the fact that they included all are in constant contact with colleagues and the Orthodox synagogues and their rabbis. It counterparts throughout the world, maintain­ seems that Rabbi Levinthal learned from the ing ties with rabbinical courts in Israel, Eu­ fiasco of Rabbi Jacob Joseph's appointment rope, and the United States. Its procedures as Chief Rabbi of New York that a tide that have been efficient and expedient. does not represent the entire community is A Beth Din comprises three rabbis who not effective (Karp, 1955). Although Rabbi are also qualified rabbinic adjudicators Jacob Joseph was a foremost rabbinical au­ (dayyanim). In order to be qualified to serve thority, his appointment was endorsed only as a dayan on a Beth Din, a special rabbinic by some New York synagogues. Other certification is required. Dayanut (judicial prominent rabbis were also declared to be ruling) is a specialty, and not every rabbi is Chief Rabbis by their adherents. Although automatically qualified to serve as a dayan. Rabbi Levinthal did not permit such history to repeat itself in his community, unfortu­ nately, this arrangement did not continue be­ KASHRUT yond Rabbi Levinthal's career. Kashrut is one major area vital to the Another important aspect of Rabbi existence of any Jewish community, but one Levinthal's communal work was his willing that has undergone great changes. In the participation in any Jewish organization, Philadelphia community until some twenty even those of an irreligious and secular na­ years ago, rabbinic supervision of kashrut ture. This commitment transcended the was almost entirely restricted to ritual boundaries of the position of Chief Rabbi slaughtering (shechitah), local butchers, and and clearly reflected his multifaceted person­ meat purveyors (such as sausage manufac­ ality. turing). Old age homes and caterers were Rabbi Ephraim E. Yolles (1897-1989) also supervised. succeeded Rabbi Levinthal as Chief Rabbi of About twenty years ago the last "shechita the Orthodox Rabbinate of Philadelphia; plant" closed its doors. Because there is no Rabbi Yolles was internationally renowned local ritual slaughter in Philadelphia, kosher as a halakhic authority and was noted for his and glatt kosher meats must be imported encyclopedic erudition. A small sampling of from central sources. As a result, only a few his halachic studies was published in a book independent kosher butchers are still open in (Yolles, 1982). Greater Philadelphia, and they must compete Rabbi Baruch Halevi Leizerowski (1910- with the supermarket, where many kosher 2000) followed Rabbi Yolles. Rabbi Leizer­ items including meat and poultry have been owski, a Holocaust survivor, was installed as available for many years. The future ramifi­ Chief Rabbi of Munich after World War II. cations of this shift from small shops to A well-known orator. Rabbi Leizerowski supermarkets have yet to be evaluated. was recognized for his great scholarship and The demands of supervising kashrut have wise counsel. A small sampling of his greatiy expanded over the past two decades. halachic work was published (Leizorowski, Supervising rabbis and agencies now certify 1978). bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, and facto- SUMMER 2002 Joumal of Jewish Communal Service / 206 ries.' Supermarkets also vie for the business eruvin in Center City and at the University of of the kosher consumer and have large Ko­ Pennsylvania campus. sher sections. Several such markets have also It is forbidden for a Jew to carry in the developed special glatt kosher delis under public domain on Shabbat. An eruv is a way accepted national rabbinic supervision. to construct "door-ways" or enclosures around a given area and render it a closed ORTHODOX JEWISH EDUCATION domain in which one is permitted to carry items on Shabbat. Jewish education has changed drastically Twenty-five years ago, there were very during the past two generations. Before that few eruvin, and Orthodox Jews simply did time, most Orthodox-affiliated Jewish youth not carry any items outside of their home or attended public school, and during the after­ synagogue. Even the talit was brought to noon attended classes in the synagogue (the synagogue before Shabbat or worn to shul on "Talmud Torah") (King, Lakritz, Wachs, Shabbat; it was never carried. Today's eru­ 1986). This system offered a very limited vin allow families with young children to go education and did not inspire continuity. out for strolls and visits with their infants and Gradually, Jewish day schools emerged. strollers. The eruv provides a more pleasur­ The Philadelphia area hosts five Orthodox able Shabbat for its adherents and has been day schools from pre-school through high strongly encouraged where feasible. school. Graduates of these institutions often continue their studies in yeshivot and semi­ NEIGHBORHOODS naries, both in the United States as well as Israel. Secular education is also offered on a Orthodox Jews first settled in the Center high level. Many graduates attend leading City section of Philadelphia and moved over universities (in some cases in addition to the the past fifty years or so to Northeast Phila­ yeshiva studies). The Philadelphia Orthodox delphia and to the suburbs. Elkins Park and community's greatest source of pride has various enclaves in Bucks County have an been the success of its educational system. emerging Orthodox presence. The excellent academic standards of University of Penn­ ERUVIN sylvania have attracted Orthodox students Another strong indication of the progres­ from all parts of the country, many of whom sive growth of the Orthodox Jewish commu­ have yeshiva backgrounds. In addition to nities of Greater Philadelphia is that virtually having their own minyan, this student com­ every neighborhood with a significant Ortho­ munity also offers many Torah study ses­ dox presence has a viable eruv. The North­ sions on various levels. east, Overbrook, Bala Cynwyd, Cherry Hill, A major factor in the recent renaissance and Elkins Park all maintain eruvin. There of Orthodox Judaism
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