Congregation Mishkan Israel

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Whilst we have been busy converting the Jews in other lands, they have outflanked us here, and effected a footing in the very centre of our own fortress.

New Haven Register , May 26, 1843.

The congregation aligned with the Reform movement in 1856; and in the same year purchased the former Third Congregation Church, a Greek Revival church building on Court Street between State and Orange Street.

Its second synagogue building, built in 1897, was located, also in New Haven, at 55 Audubon Street, on the corner of Orange Street. Designed by Arnold W. Brunner and Thomas Tryon in the Moorish Revival style, the former synagogue building is a contributing property in the Orange Street Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 12, 1985. The building is notable for its twin façade domed-towers, ornately carved brownstone windows, and door trimmings. [2] [5] The building is now used as a performing arts space for ACES Educational Center for the Arts, a performing arts high school. [6]

In 1960, the congregation moved to its current and third site, on Ridge Road in Hamden. [7] The building was designed by German architect, Fritz Nathan in the Modernist style, and features stained-glass windows by Jean-Jacques Duval. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 20, 2021. [3]

Social activism

Mishkan Israel became a bastion of liberal religious thought and social activism in the 1950s and 1960s. Then Rabbi Robert E. Goldburg was an outspoken advocate for civil rights, and was arrested in a freedom march along with Martin Luther King and other clergy in 1964. Earlier, Dr. King had delivered a sermon at Mishkan Israel in 1961, helping to dedicate the new facility, which had relocated to Hamden. It is said to have been Dr. King's only preaching from a pulpit in the greater New Haven area.

Rabbi Goldburg stirred congregants’ passions with his strong and eloquent political voice raised frequently in support of racial justice and opposition to the Vietnam War. Dr. Daniel Ellsberg, Alger Hiss, Stokely Carmichael, and William Sloan Coffin were guest speakers at the behest of Rabbi Goldburg. Goldburg officiated at Marilyn Monroe's conversion to Judaism and at her Jewish wedding ceremony with Arthur Miller. [8]

Current leadership

Rabbi Brian P. Immerman served as Mishkan Israel rabbi from 2018. He succeeded Rabbi Herbert N. Brockman, now the Emeritus, who had been the spiritual leader at Mishkan Israel for over 30 years. Rabbi Brockman taught and engages in community projects, and has been at the forefront of interfaith understanding and justice, not only in New Haven, but also nationally and internationally. The current Cantor is Arthur Giglio, who holds a Master of Sacred Music and Diploma of Hazzan from The Jewish Theological Seminary.

The annual Martin Luther King Interfaith Service was inaugurated in 2010 by Rabbi Brockman as a tribute to Rabbi Goldburg and Martin Luther King's historic connection to Mishkan Israel.

The late peace activist Bruce M. Cohen served as rabbi of Mishkan Israel prior to founding Interns for Peace. [9]

Cemetery

The Mishkan Israel cemetery was created in 1843. [10]

See also

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References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Nomination Form: Orange Street Historic District". National Register of Historic Places . National Parks Service. September 12, 1985. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Correia, Elizabeth; Glaser, Leah S.; Central Connecticut State University (May 20, 2021). "Registration Form: Congregation Mishkan Israel" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places . National Parks Service. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  4. Rae, Douglas W. (2003). City: Urbanism and its End. Yale University Press. p. 151.
  5. "New Haven Preservation District, Orange Street Historic District". Archived from the original on March 9, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2009.
  6. Olitzky, Kerry M.; Raphael, Marc Lee (June 30, 1996). The American Synagogue: A Historical Dictionary and Sourcebook. Greenwood Press. pp. 76–80.
  7. "Walk New Haven Cultural Heritage Tours: Downtown & Downtown North", Ethnic Heritage Center, New Haven, CT.: Walk New Haven, p. 39, 2016, ISBN   978-0-9979091-1-1
  8. Singer, Saul Jay (January 3, 2018). "The 'Judaism' Of Arthur Miller And Marilyn Monroe". The Jewish Press. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  9. Hevesi, Dennis (August 8, 2010). "Rabbi Bruce M. Cohen, Is Dead at 65; Worked to Promote Peace" . The New York Times . Retrieved August 9, 2010.
  10. "Congregation Mishkan Israel: Home Page". Archived from the original on June 30, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
Congregation Mishkan Israel
Mishkan Israel.jpg
Congregation Mishkan Israel
Religion
Affiliation Reform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational status Synagogue
Leadership
  • Rabbi Dennis Ross (interim)
  • Rabbi Herbert N. Brockman(Emeritus)
StatusActive
Notable artworks
Location
Location785 Ridge Road, Hamden, Connecticut 06517
CountryUnited States
Relief map USA Connecticut.png
Red pog.svg
Location in Connecticut
Geographic coordinates 41°21′23″N72°54′04″W / 41.3563°N 72.9012°W / 41.3563; -72.9012
Architecture
Architect(s) 1897: 1960:
  • Fritz Nathan
TypeSynagogue
Style
General contractor Mariani Construction Co. (1960)
Date established1840 (as a congregation)
Completed
  • 1856 (Court Street)
  • 1897 (Audubon Street)
  • 1960 (Ridge Road)
Specifications
Length330 feet (100 m) (1960)
Width180 feet (55 m) (1960)
Dome(s)Two (1897)
Site area9.4 acres (3.8 ha) (1960)
Materials
  • Red brick (1897)
  • Limestone, brick, glass (1960)
Website
cmihamden.org
Temple Mishkan Israel (1897)
Mishkan Israel3.jpg
Former 1897 synagogue, now arts high school
Location55 Audubon Street,
New Haven, CT
Coordinates 41°18′39″N72°55′13″W / 41.3109°N 72.9202°W / 41.3109; -72.9202
Part of Orange Street Historic District (ID85002314)
Designated CPSeptember 12, 1985