Congregation Adath Israel Moves Into Its New Home

By Laurie Borst

Friday, September 7, was a joyous occasion for Congregation Adath Israel as members moved into their newly completed synagogue on Huntingtown Road. Rabbi Shaul Praver led members in prayer and song during a procession from the original synagogue, which opened its doors at 111 Huntingtown Road in 1919, to the new synagogue two doors down at 115 Huntingtown.

Following a tradition of historic significance, the transfer of the Torah scrolls from the Ark in the original synagogue to the Ark in the new building marks a milestone in the history of the congregation in Newtown.

The celebration began with the doors of the Ark being opened by Erica and Ben Federman, siblings from the young generation of Adath Israel. Rabbi Praver, assisted by Gabbi Mark Rebb, led approximately 250 congregants in prayer.

Following the prayers, members of the founding families removed the Torah scrolls from the Ark to begin their journey. Members of the Nezvesky, Goosman, and Goldberg families proudly carried the scrolls out of the old synagogue and passed them to representatives of the next generation of families to join the congregation.

In all, the scrolls passed through 14 exchanges before being placed in the Ark in their new home. Bill Hillman blew the shofar, or ram’s horn, one blast to stop the procession, and then three blasts to signal moving to the next exchange point.

Joyous chaos reigned as the congregants moved in loose parade fashion with the scrolls under the chupah, or canopy, along Huntingtown Road.

The next to last exchange occurred in the synagogue when the Silver, Rubin, and Henry Danziger families, all instrumental in the planning of the building, arrived at the bema. A bema is the platform from which services are conducted.

At the foot of the bema, members of the young generation received the scrolls. Floren Schertzer and Aaron Nezvesky are cousins, members of a founding family. Zach Silver is a longtime volunteer in caring for the building.

The young adults then passed the Torahs to President David Wiener, Past President Eric Israel and volunteer builder Kim Danziger, who placed them in the Ark.

Sam and Emily Wiener, Brian Danziger and Alex Israel, representing the youth of the congregation, opened the Ark doors.

The Danzigers placed the first Torah on behalf of all those who brought the building to completion. The Israels placed the second Torah on behalf of the past leadership of Adath Israel. The Wieners placed the third Torah to honor Adath Israel’s future.

Songs and prayers followed. The doors of the Ark were closed. The congregation then sang “The Star Spangled Banner,” followed by “Hatikva,” the national anthem of Israel. A family Shabbat service followed.

The celebration continued the following evening. With more than 200 in attendance on Saturday, September 8, the congregation held a Community Dedication. Mr Wiener narrated as Janis Nezvesky-Schertzer recounted the arrival of the founding families from Eastern Europe in the early 1900s.

Bob Rubenstein, who led the congregation in the 1980s, recalled the challenges they faced during those changing times. Kim Danziger told of his family’s motivation to build Adath Israel’s new home. The Danzigers are second-generation Holocaust survivors.

Mr Wiener then spoke of the growth and change coming to the congregation as members occupy their new synagogue.

Among the local dignitaries in attendance were State Representative and Adath Israel member Julia Wasserman, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, and State Representative DebraLee Hovey. The Reverend Robert E. Weiss, pastor of St Rose of Lima Church, and the Reverend Terry W. Pfeiffer, pastor of Newtown United Methodist Church, also shared in the celebration.

The completion of the $1.5 million building project brings welcome changes even in mundane areas. The old synagogue was too small for all grades of Hebrew school to meet at the same time. Grades 1–3 had been meeting at 8 am on Sunday mornings, with Grades 4–7 meeting at 10 am.

“Now, all classes are held at 9:30,” said Barb Danziger, “making for many happy parents.”

The Nezvesky School for Jewish Education honors the Nezvesky family, which has been instrumental in providing land and support for the synagogue since its earliest days.

The congregation celebrated the groundbreaking for the new building in April 2005, and construction began in June 2006.

Kim J. Danziger, a local building contractor and congregant since the early 1990s, supervised the construction.

“It’s an honor to volunteer my time to supervise the synagogue’s construction, and an exciting challenge to blend the things we loved about our original building with the needs we want to meet in our new one,” Mr Danziger said.

A press release issued last month explained the care taken in design to fit the rural residential character of the neighborhood, including wood siding with a stone facade, a terraced stairway, and gardens to the lower level.

“Kim connected us with skilled custom craftsmen who created the simple but beautiful lines in our sanctuary’s cherrywood beams, cabinetry, and Ark,” said Mr Wiener. “Kim and Building and Interior Design Committees chose bronze Ark doors, which were cast in California, to complete the sanctuary’s warm and inviting atmosphere.”

The new facility includes an elevator, making it more accessible to elderly and handicapped visitors. It also incorporates energy-saving features in heating, cooling, and lighting systems that qualify for Connecticut Light & Power’s energy conservation program.

Along with substantial donations from its own members, the congregation received diverse support from the community through fundraising dinner dances and golf outings. Mr Danziger said more than 20 area building businesses donated materials and services to the project.

Rabbi Praver said fellow clergy at Newtown’s churches have been very supportive. “All our congregations are building and expanding, and we support each other,” he said.

The new synagogue includes the sanctuary, Hebrew school, new offices, the rabbi’s study, a media center, upstairs and downstairs social areas, and six new bathrooms. The building offers the amenities needed for weekly worship, and an expanded schedule of events for the congregation and community.

“A full range of religious services including the upcoming High Holiday Schedule will be celebrated in our new building,” said Mr Wiener. “Years of planning, effort, and hard work finally made this dream come true. Adath Israel truly retains its agricultural feel. The vista from the Sanctuary looks out on a large valley, its wildflowers, and the Narragansett tributary. [This is] a place for spiritual renewal, learning, and contemplation.”