Baltimore Jewish History

History:

Founded 1921-22

Originally worshipped at 4230 Park Heights Avenue, before purchasing a lot in 1923 at 4303 Park Heights Avenue in the cottage on the sight.

The first High Holiday services were held in 1921 “in Maple Cottage at Shirley Avenue and Ludwig Lane (Cottage Avenue).¹

The congregation built a new building at 4239-4247 Park Heights Avenue in 1929, “built in Byzantine style of architecture … by Edwin H.C. Browne, architect.” The new building would have a seating capacity of 1,000 and would be approximately 80×120 feet, and would cost “in the neighborhood of $200,000.”

This was the 2nd congregation established on Park Heights Avenue following Shaarei Zion (which is still there, and magnificent, as well).

This building, as we see above, was dedicated on September 22, 1929. Rabbi Louis B. Friedlander was the rabbi between 1926 and 1941.

The rest of the building was built in 1941.

By 1969, this building was closed, and temporary offices were set up at 5506 Narcissus Avenue, the home of David Schnaper, with services moving to Ohr Knesseth Israel-Anshe Sphard (AKA Rogers Avenue Synagogue).

In 1970/71, Agudas Achim Anshe Sphard was merged into Randallstown Synagogue Center (founded 1962), 8729 Church Lane. The merger ceremony took place March 14, 1971, at the Emerald Gardens, at which time Rabbi Israel O. Goldberg was installed as rabbi. The new name would be Ahavas Sholom Agudas Achim Anshe Sphard, the Randallstown Synagogue Center.

Rabbis:

Rev. H.N. Finesinger, first rabbi

Rabbi S. Zeldner

Rabbi Hyman Oppel

Rabbi Louis B. Friedlander, 1926-1941. Died May 6, 1978. Founded Shaarei Tzedek Congregation.

Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro, 1941-1955.

Rabbi Harry Bolensky late 1950’s.

Rabbi Hersh M. Galinsky, installed 8/21/1960. Left for Brith Sholom Beth Israel, Charleston, South Carolina, in 1963. Previously rabbi of Congregation Sons of Jacob in Providence R.I., 1958-1960. Semicha RIETS. Grandson of Rabbi Ephraim Zalman Halpern.

Rabbi Louis Schwartz.

Rabbi Jacob Kurland, 1962-1969.

Memories:

Notes from Etta (Nechamkin) Friedman: Rabbi Friedlander, learned in yeshiva in yeshiva in Oswiecim (Oshpitzin as called by the Jews) in Poland. His daughter was Elaine, two sisters were Rosenblatt from Annapolis – Gary Rosenblatt’s mother, and Francis Zywica, secretary at Isaac Davidson school, who was married to a Holocaust survivor, Rabbi Meyer Zywica. Rabbi Zywica gave the kosher certification at Pepsi Cola. When Rabbi Friedlander came to the U.S., he came as a boarder to Rabbi Hyman Samson on the 3700 block of Reisterstown Road.

1. Pruce, Synagogues, Temples and Congregations of Maryland: 1830-1990, 11. ↩︎