JEWISH COMMUNITY

JEWISH COMMUNITY. Religious group. Jewish settlers to Dubuque generally immigrated to this area from Poland, Germany, and Russia. Many settled between 14th and 17th STREETS along Elm, Pine and Maple. In 1840 an estimated fifteen Jewish families lived in Dubuque.

In October 1884, Jewish residents of the Fifth Ward founded the Hebrew Benevolent Society. Like similar BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES of its day, the organization was established to aid needy members. In 1897, according t news articles of the day, a "Hebraic organization" was formed in the city. The population of Jewish residents increased to an estimated one hundred by 1900, but declined to fifty by 1950.

A Talmud Tar, Hebrew school, was opened in a building at the corner of White and Eleventh streets in October 1900. The school only gave religious instruction, and classes were held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The following month, the Hebrew Independent Political Club was established with 150 charter members. Officers of the organization included Louis Motulsky, president; J. Blumenthal, secretary; G. Blumenthal, treasurer; and L. Conigsky and I Manhoff, trustees. The announcement for the club stated that the organization would take an active role in elections and encourage the members to vote as a bloc.

Articles of incorporation were filed for the Dubuque Protective Club in December 1902. The purposes of the organization were stated as social and intelectual improvement of the membership and holding religious meetings.

In February 1928. a Hadassah chapter was organized in Dubuque. Local officers included Mrs. Louis Rotman, chairman; Mrs. Myer Goodman, secretary; Mrs. Charles Ochter, assistant secretary; Mrs. Louis Belsky, cultural chairperson; and Mrs. Freda Paul, visiting chaperson. With the specific goal of health work in Palestine, Hadassah chapters in the United Staes had already accomplished the maintenance of five modern hospitals, forty rural stations, sixteen infant stations, and a tuberculosis sanatorium. At the time the Dubuque chapter was formed, the organization hd broadened its involvement into prviding pre-natal and post-natal care, school lunches, eye and teeth treatment, and general public education in hygiene.

Meeting first in private homes with services provided by visiting rabbis, the Jewish residents of Dubuque led by Alexander LEVI waited until 1856 to organize into a congregation known as B'nai Jechurum. This group met at 5th and Locust streets in a rented hall. Dissatisfaction within the congregation led thirty members to organize Knesses Israel. This group purchased a two-story house and lot at 1760 Maple Street for their meeting place. In 1900 members of this group founded the Jewish Ladies Aid Society, renamed the Sisterhood of Beth El in 1947.

The synagogue, an achievement of B'nai B'rith, was built in November 1939. Louis Rotman, president of the Congregation Beth El, presided at the ceremonies. Rev. Charles Carriel, pastor of [[WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, represented the Protestant churches of Dubuque while Herbert J. Hoffmann represented Dubuque's Catholics.

Prominent Dubuque residents of the Jewish faith have included Ben SAMUELS, Abraham SLIMMER, and HERZBERGER, Magda.