Anshe Emet Synagogue is a Conservative synagogue located in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the oldest congregations in Chicago.

History of Anshe Emet Synagogue

Anshe Emet Synagogue was established in 1873 in a building on Sedgwick Avenue in Chicago. In 1876, the congregation rented its first permanent meeting place on Division Street and hired Rabbi A.A. Lowenheim, a member of

Central Conference of American Rabbis The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), founded in 1889 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, is the principal organization of Reform rabbis in the United States and Canada. The CCAR is the largest and oldest rabbinical organization in the world. I ...

, as religious leader. Two years later, the congregation moved to another rented location on Division Street. In 1893, Anshe Emet constructed its own building on Sedgwick Street. In 1922, the congregation moved north to a new building on Gary Place (later called Patterson Place) near Broadway. Rabbi Phillip Langh, ordained at the

Jewish Theological Seminary of America The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) is a Conservative Jewish education organization in New York City, New York. It is one of the academic and spiritual centers of Conservative Judaism and a major center for academic scholarship in Jewish studie ...

served as Rabbi from 1920 to 1928. In 1929, Anshe Emet moved to its present location of 3751 North Broadway in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Rabbi

Solomon Goldman Solomon Goldman (August 18, 1893 - March 14, 1953) was an American Conservative rabbi. A noted orator, community leader and scholar, he was especially known for helping to popularize the cause of Zionism in the United States. Early life and ed ...

served as Head Rabbi from 1929 until his death in 1953. Under Rabbi Goldman's leadership, Anshe Emet Synagogue established a day school, the first in the Conservative movement, and a speakers series, which featured speakers such as

Eleanor Roosevelt Anna Eleanor Roosevelt () (October 11, 1884November 7, 1962) was an American political figure, diplomat, and activist. She was the first lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945, during her husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt's four ...

and Clarence Darrow. In 1951, Anshe Emet purchased the Sheridan Theatre at 4038 N. Sheridan. The congregation used the building, which it renamed The Solomon Goldman Auditorium, for 15 years. From 1954-1959, Rabbi

Ira Eisenstein Rabbi Ira Eisenstein (November 26, 1906 – June 28, 2001) was an American rabbi who founded Reconstructionist Judaism, along with Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, his teacher and, later, father-in-law through his marriage to Judith Kaplan Eisenstein, Judith ...

, a leader in the Reconstructionist movement, served as Rabbi of Anshe Emet. In 1961, Rabbi Seymour J. Cohen became Senior Rabbi of Anshe Emet Synagogue. Rabbi Cohen restored observance of the second day of festival holidays, expanded opportunities for women to participate in religious life, and lead the congregation to renovate and expand the synagogue building. Since 1990, Rabbi Michael Siegel has served as Senior Rabbi of Anshe Emet Synagogue. Members of the synagogue over the years have included realtor and sculptor

Sara Miller Sara Shapiro Miller (July 8, 1924 – October 29, 2016) was an American real estate executive and sculptor. Born Sara Shirlee Shapiro on the west side of Chicago, Miller was the daughter of Philip Shapiro, a baker, and Rose Morris Shapiro, a board ...

and her husband Ira.

References

{{Authority control Synagogues in Chicago Conservative synagogues in Illinois Religious organizations established in 1873 1873 establishments in Illinois