Temple Anshe Amunim (Pittsfield, Massachusetts)
Encyclopedia
Temple Anshe Amunim is a Jewish congregation located at 26 Broad Street in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
. Since 1904, Anshe Amunim has been affiliated with Reform Judaism
. Anshe Amunim is the fourth-oldest Reform congregation in the New England
region. In November 2009, Anshe Amunim marked its 140th anniversary of serving the Jewish community of the Berkshires.
The rise in population in the Berkshires in the 1950s due to the presence of General Electric
and subsequent rise in membership led the Temple to seek new property to construct a new building. In 1959, the England and Blau families donated property to the Temple on the corner of Wendell Avenue and Broad Street in Pittsfield. The new Temple building, designed by Henry Blatner, was dedicated by Rabbi Harold I. Salzmann in August 1964, and it has since won many architectural awards and has been featured in several publications for its unique features, which include a domed synagogue and golden ark.
Anshe Amunim is home to the annual Hilda Vallin Feigenbaum memorial lecture, established by Drs. Armand and Donald Feigenbaum in honor of their mother. The lecture has featured distinguished speakers such as Julian Bond
, Steve Emerson
, Mara Liasson
, and Lawrence O'Donnell.
Anshe Amunim maintains burial space both in Pittsfield Cemetery and the congregation’s property on Churchill Street in Pittsfield.
Rabbi Joshua Breindel, a 2009 graduate of Hebrew College
in Newton, Massachusetts
, has served as the Temple’s Rabbi since July 2009, and Rabbi Harold I. Salzmann, who led the congregation as senior Rabbi for 30 years from 1954 to 1984, serves as Rabbi Emeritus.
Anshe Amunim is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism
and the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Pittsfield is the largest city and the county seat of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the principal city of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Berkshire County. Its area code is 413. Its ZIP code is 01201...
. Since 1904, Anshe Amunim has been affiliated with Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
. Anshe Amunim is the fourth-oldest Reform congregation in the New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
region. In November 2009, Anshe Amunim marked its 140th anniversary of serving the Jewish community of the Berkshires.
History
Society Anshe Amunim was founded by 25 families in Pittsfield in November 1869. In 1887, the Temple’s Sunday School program was developed, which would evolve into the modern day Religious School program. The Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society was established in 1882, which would later become the Women for Reform Judaism. In 1932, the Temple’s Men’s Club was established. The Temple’s High School students are represented by PFTY, the Pittsfield Federation for Temple Youth.The rise in population in the Berkshires in the 1950s due to the presence of General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
and subsequent rise in membership led the Temple to seek new property to construct a new building. In 1959, the England and Blau families donated property to the Temple on the corner of Wendell Avenue and Broad Street in Pittsfield. The new Temple building, designed by Henry Blatner, was dedicated by Rabbi Harold I. Salzmann in August 1964, and it has since won many architectural awards and has been featured in several publications for its unique features, which include a domed synagogue and golden ark.
Anshe Amunim is home to the annual Hilda Vallin Feigenbaum memorial lecture, established by Drs. Armand and Donald Feigenbaum in honor of their mother. The lecture has featured distinguished speakers such as Julian Bond
Julian Bond
Horace Julian Bond , known as Julian Bond, is an American social activist and leader in the American civil rights movement, politician, professor, and writer. While a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, during the early 1960s, he helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating...
, Steve Emerson
Steve Emerson
Steve Emerson may refer to:* Stephen G. Emerson, stem cell biologist and 13th President of Haverford College* Steven Emerson, journalist and author specializing in national security, terrorism, and Islamic extremism...
, Mara Liasson
Mara Liasson
Mara Liasson is an American journalist and political pundit. She is the national political correspondent for National Public Radioand also a contributor at Fox News Channel.-Early life:...
, and Lawrence O'Donnell.
Anshe Amunim maintains burial space both in Pittsfield Cemetery and the congregation’s property on Churchill Street in Pittsfield.
Rabbi Joshua Breindel, a 2009 graduate of Hebrew College
Hebrew College
Hebrew College is an accredited college of Jewish studies in Newton Centre, near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1921, Hebrew College is committed to Jewish scholarship in a transdenominational academic environment. The president of the college is Rabbi Daniel Lehmann...
in Newton, Massachusetts
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
, has served as the Temple’s Rabbi since July 2009, and Rabbi Harold I. Salzmann, who led the congregation as senior Rabbi for 30 years from 1954 to 1984, serves as Rabbi Emeritus.
Anshe Amunim is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism
Union for Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
and the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires.