Congregation Rodeph Sholom (Bridgeport, Conn.) Records

Congregation Rodeph Sholom is a synagogue in Bridgeport, Connecticut founded in 1909 by Nathan Schwarz, Samuel Graves, and Nathan Klebansky as an offshoot of Congregation B’nai Moshe, also in Bridgeport. The congregation leased space at Veruna Hall on Court Street and later purchased burial grounds in Fairfield in 1910. They dedicates the grounds in 1911. Klebansky served as the congregation's first president, and was succeeded by Schwarz, who served as president from 1911 until 1923.

In March 1923, the congregation purchased a new building on the corner of Iranistan and Maplewood Avenues, which was dedicated on August 5, 1923. In 1925, a committee was appointed to explore the possibility of forming a Hebrew school, and in 1929, the Talmud Torah was established under Rabbi Elihu Rosenblum. Harry Malin came aboard as Education Director of the Talmud Torah in 1936 and served in this position for 33 years.

In 1932 Congregation Rodeph Sholom merged with another Bridgeport synagogue, the Emanuel Congregation, and in 1934, the merged congregation hired a new rabbi, Harry Nelson. In 1945, the congregation purchased a new plot of land to build a new synagogue on Park Avenue, and the groundbreaking took place in 1947 in front of a crowd of 1,000 people. The first services in the building were held in 1949, and the next decade would witness many more additions and refurbishments, including libraries, air conditioning, the rabbi’s study, along with the Ark and Eternal Light. In 1955-1956, a new wing was built to provide more space for the Talmud Torah.

Nelson served as the congregation's rabbi until his death in 1964, and he was succeeded by Rabbi Sanford Hahn, Rabbi Israel Stein--who served from 1974 until 2003—and Rabbi David A. Cantor.

1909

The congregation is founded.

1910

The congregation rents space at Veruna Hall on Court Street.

1911

The congregation dedicates its burial grounds.

March 1923

The congregation purchases a new building on the corner of Iranistan and Maplewood Avenues.

August 1923

The new building is dedicated.

1929

The congregation's Talmud Torah is formed.

1932

The congregation merges with Emanuel Congregation.

1934-1963

Rabbi Harry Nelson serves as rabbi.

1936-1969

Harry Malin serves as Education Director of the Talmud Torah.

1945

The congregation purchases land on Park Avenue.

1949

The new building on Park Avenue is dedicated.

1959

A new wing to the Talmud Torah is built.

1965-1974

Rabbi Sanford Hahn serves as rabbi.

1974-2003

Rabbi Israel Stein serves as rabbi.