OUR HISTORY

149 YEARS OF RODEPH SHOLOM

5636-5784
1875-2024

Twenty-five years after our country celebrated its bicentennial year, the Jewish people of Rome are commemorating the one and one quarter century of the Rodeph Sholom Congregation, the Pursuers of Peace.  The following is our history as reported by Ruth and Oscar Borochoff during our 100th Anniversary, with additional information from the past 35 years.

Rome Georgia, a city of seven hills and three rivers, was founded in 1833, during the days when Native Americans roamed the hills and valleys of what is now Rome and Floyd County.  Records in the Floyd County Courthouse show that the first real estate transaction by a Jewish citizen was made by Mordecai Myers in 1833.  Since that time many outstanding Jewish citizens have contributed much to the history, welfare and progress of the Community.  In 1850 the Rome newspaper, known as the Rome Southerner, was owned and edited by O. A. Myers.  J. J. Cohen operated a general mercantile store on Broad Street between Second and Third Avenue, as did David J. Meyerhardt, Magnus, and Wise.  There was Cohen’s Grist Mill in South Rome.  Other Jewish residents during this period and immediately following the War Between the States were Morris Marks, Solomon Jonas, Solomon Seligman, Adolph Moses, L. Magnus, Dr. Fox, the Levensteins and the Lilienthals.  These were mostly new immigrants from Prussia and Germany.

The earliest marriage recorded of a Jewish couple in the courthouse was that of Solomon Jonas and Hannah Levenstein on January 26, 1858.

During the Civil War, men and women of Rome were involved in helping the cause of the Confederacy.  Among Romans serving in the Floyd Infantry, organized in 1861, were Corporal Henry Cohen, Philip Cohen, and Adolphus Jonas.  The Ladies’ Aid Society, which was formed in 1861 to help supply the needs of the soldiers, listed among its members Mrs. J. J. Cohen, Mrs. Morris Marks, and Mrs. Lilienthal.  Hospitals were crowded beyond capacity and room was needed for the wounded soldiers returning from the warfront, which necessitated opening a hospital.  Dr. Fox was in charge of the first hospital opened in Rome in 1862.  His son taught in the Rome Hebrew Sunday School many years later.

Destroyed during this was were David J. Meyerhardt’s storehouse on Broad Street as well as Cohen’s Grist Mill in South Rome.  Other merchants with stores on Broad Street during these years were Magnus and Wise, Morris Marks and J. J. Cohen.

The Rodeph Sholom Congregation was probably formed in 1875 (or perhaps 1871) by David Jacob Meyerhardt.  Names of members are not listed, but with information from all available material, it is believed that among the first members were Jacob Kuttner, Phillip Cohen, J. J. Cohen, G. Karlsruher, M. Rosenberg, A. Moses, David Meyerhardt, Morris Marks, Adolphus Jonas, L. Magnus, Henry Cohen, Moritz Spiegelberg, Thomas Jonas, and the Misters Lilienthal, Rossett and Wise.  David Meyerhardt, his son, Max, and Dr. Fox conducted religious school classes.

Several Jewish organizations had chapters at one time or another in Rome.  Some still exist.  These included B’nai B’rith (organized around the turn of the century and reactivated after World War II), Youth Groups, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Hadassah and Judeans.  Scout troops for girls and boys of the Congregation were organized prior to World War I.

In the Armed Services during World War I were: Charlie Mendelson, Joseph H. Lesser, Hyman Esserman, Sidney Sturman and Casper Stock.  Women of the Congregation were active in Red Cross, making bandages, knitting for the soldiers and helping the war effort in every way possible.  In the 1920’s and 1930’s more Jewish people moved to Rome, attaining stature as leaders in the Jewish community and in the civic and business life of Rome.

The first Confirmation Service was held in 1931, with Rabbi Benjamin Parker, of Ochs Memorial Temple in Chattanooga, officiating.  Rabbi Abe Feinstein, also of Ochs Memorial Temple, officiated the second Confirmation service in 1933.  Many Confirmation Services have been held since then.

In 1937, Abe Abramson of Adairsville, left a sum of money to the Congregation upon his death.  This became the nucleus of a building fund for a house of worship.  The site on East First Street , where the Synagogue is currently located, was purchased from their next door neighbor, the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.  The relationship between the churches of Rome with the Synagogue exemplifies mutual understanding.  While remodeling the Episcopal Church, the Church held Sunday School classes in the Synagogue.  Rodeph Sholom, on several occasions, used the Church social hall for receptions, as well as for services during repair work at the synagogue.

The building of the Synagogue inspired the women to organize a Sisterhood in 1937, which affiliated with the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods in 1938.  The sisterhood contributed much service to the temple throughout the years.  This included financial efforts, social activities and aid with Sunday School.  The Sisterhood bought the pews and altar for the new synagogue and installed the wrought iron rails on the steep steps leading up to the front of the Temple .

The brick used in building the Synagogue was made in the Berry School’s brick kilns.  An unusual and beautiful chandelier, used in a Belgium cathedral years ago, was converted from a candlelight to electric and was presented to the Congregation by Mr. I. D. Weitz of Atlanta.  It hangs from the ceiling of the Sanctuary. There were four small matching chandeliers in the original building, but each was lost when the ceiling collapsed after sunday school in the 1960’s.  Luckily, no one was in the building, and the large chandelier was saved from destruction.  The style of the building is colonial architecture.  On the left entrance of the building, a marble plaque was inserted in the brick, a Memorial to the memory of Abe and Harrison Abramson, who made the edifice possible.  On the right is a marble plaque with stating the following:  DATE: 5698-1937, OFFICERS: Isaac May, President; Presley Esserman, Vice President; Ben Esserman, Secretary; Ike Eplan, Treasurer. DIRECTORS: Oscar Borochoff, Sol Schwartz, Harry Lesser, Daniel Lease, Casper Stock, I.M. Levinson. BUILDING COMMITTEE: Oscar Borochoff, Isaac May, Sol Schwartz. ARCHITECT: Otis Clay Poundstone.

The dedication was held on March 27, 1938 , with Rabbi H. Epstein and Rabbi David Marx, both of Atlanta, officiating.  In March 1958, Rabbi Epstein officiated at the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the building.  In 1975, Rabbi Epstein was again on the program to rededicate the Synagogue for its 100th year celebration.

Twenty-seven men from the small congregation served in the Armed Forces during World War II. They include Kurt Baer, Harry Bredosky, Nat Bredosky, Solomon Max Bredosky, Ben Esserman, Joe Esserman, Sidney Franklin, Sidney Friedman, Fred Hirsch, Henry Hirschman, Sam Holtsberg, Durward Lesser, Leonard Lesser, David Levinson, Myer Levinson, Solomon Levinson, Lazarus Levy, Lawrence Schwartz, Max Schwartz, Jake Shaffer, Alex Shmukler, Raymond Singer, I. M. Sulzbacher, Joel Sulzbacher, Bernard Ullman, Stanley Ullman and Morton Rosenthal.  Solomon Max Bredosky died in action on D-Day, 1944, in France.

Land atop Mount Aventine, one of the seven hills of Rome, was donated to the congregation for a cemetery by J. J. Cohen in 1875.  The deed was recorded in the Floyd County Courthouse.  An additional tract, adjoining the cemetery, was given by J. J. Kuttner in1897.  Isac May was on of the trustees named in the latter deed.

Hannie Kuttner was Married in 1885 to Isaac May, who had come to America from Alsace-Lorraine.  Isaac became a leader in the civic and business life of Rome and served as President of the Congregation during the first year of the new building’s existence.  Their two children were Edna (Mrs. Joe L Sulzbacher) and Blanche (Mrs. Leo Schwed).

Illustrious in the history of Rome, Floyd County, and the State of Georgia was Max Meyerhardt.  His vast contribution to Rodeph Sholom, which was founded by his father, was one of love and selfless devotion lasting a lifetime.  He was a lawyer, judge, poet and author of hymns published in the Union Hymnal.  He was City Attorney, Judge of the City Court, and a member and secretary of the City Council.  He was instrumental in establishing the Young Men’s Library Association.  Through his efforts, the Rome Carnegie Library was founded.  He was indefatigable in his efforts to convince others that the destiny of the New South must be realized through education.  When the Carnegie Library Association was established in 1910, he became president of the Board of Trustees and retained that position until the time of his death.  He helped organize the Rome Public School System in 1882.  He was a member of the school board and its secretary until 1909.  Mr. Meyerhardt was elected Worshipful Master of Cherokee Lodge No. 66 in 1880 and served in this office for 39 years until is death.  He served as Grand Worshipful Master of Masonry in the State of Georgia for seven years.  He established the Masonic Home for Orphaned Children in Macon.

Judge Meyerhardt founded the Rodeph Sholom Sunday School.  Classes were held in the Masonic Temple Annex.  He was superintendent for almost half a century.  His family served as Sunday School teachers.  They were also educators in the fields of public school, piano, violin and dance.  Judge and Mrs. Meyerhardt had eight children: Rebecca (Mrs. Bertram Kauffman), Sarah (Mrs. Harold Asher), Ruth (Mrs. Maurice Poss), Esther (Mrs. Walter Nathan), Diana (Mrs. Sidney Patterson), Elizabeth, David and Sam Meyerhardt.  His son, David, served as Assistant United States District Attorney.

The famous Nevin Opera House, with a seating capacity of one thousand, was built by Mrs. Thomas M. Jonas and M. A. Nevin in 1880 and was managed by Mr. Nevin, I. S. Jonas and Joe Speigelberg.  It was the scene of many theatrical and musical events and was also used for political meetings. Unfortunately, this landmark was destroyed by fire in 1920.

In the beginning, the members of the Congregation probably met in individual homes for the observance of festivals and religious worship.  Around 1890, they held services on the second floor of the Masonic Temple Annex on East Fourth Avenue.

Philip Cohen served as president of the Congregation from 1875 until 1885.  His wife was Dora Kuttner, sister of J. J. Kuttner, who succeeded to the presidency in 1885.  Jacob Kuttner served until his death in 1905.  He was succeeded by his son-in-law, Isaac May, as president who served in this office until 1938 when the new Temple was completed.  Rabbi, David Esserman served form 1898 until his death in 1917.

During the 1880s and 1890s, many Jewish people came from Eastern Europe.  It was during these years that the Essermans, the Lessers, the Mendelsons, and the Abramsons settled in Rome.  After the turn of the century, Rome had its greatest influx of Jewish residents.  The Levinson family moved to Rome during this time.  Gradually the community grew and the younger generation of Rome-born Jews was also beginning to make its way into the life of the general community.  From the turn of the century until World War I the Jewish population of Rome was larger than at any other time, as the trend for large families existed during this period.

A leader in the Masonic Order, Dewey Wollstein, poet, editor of “The Masonic Messenger” for the Masons of Georgia and “The Masonic News” for the lodge in Rome, was Worshipful Master of Cherokee Lodge No. 66 and Grand Worshipful Master of the State of Georgia. He served as Chairman of the Education and Historical Commission of The Grand Lodge of Georgia for twenty years.  He was one of the founders and charter secretary of the Rome Shrine Club, one of the first organized in Georgia, and was also a teacher in the Congregation’s Sunday School.

The Jewish Welfare Board was in charge of the U.S.O. in Rome.  They remodeled a building at the rear of the City Auditorium for the U.S.O. – J.W.B. headquarters.  Rabbi Rubin R. Dobin, U.S.O. – J.W.B. Director, enlisted the services of the Congregation.  The members were active in the religious and social life of the enlisted men, patients, and personnel at the Battey General Hospital.  They served as hostesses at the U.S.O.  The Congregation furnished the Torah, candelabra and an Ark cover for the chapel at the hospital and attended Friday evening services there.  The women had charge of the Oneg Shabbats.

Serving in the Armed Services during the Korean War were Joe Stock, Charles Heyman, Jr., Marvin Aronoff and Leon Borochoff.

Until 1955 Rome had a full time Rabbi.  After that, student rabbis from the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati served the Congregation during the school term on a bi-monthly basis and also during the High Holy Days.  Rodeph Sholom Congregation is affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.  Rodeph Sholom’s Rabbis have been: David Esserman, Morris Miller, Samuel Rubenstein, Morris Jaffe, Selig Auerbach, Harold A. Friedman, Joseph Spear, Morris Shapiro and Nathan Bark. Beginning in 1956, Student Rabbis included Saul Rubin, Max Selinger, Fred Mogley, Matthew Derby, Stanley Relkin, Gustave Buchdal, Allen Maller, Roger Herst, Harvey Goldman, Mark Goldman, Leslie Gutterman, Sanford Marcus, Gerald Levy, Robert Orkand, Robert Kiser, David Glazer, Daniel Bender Raphael Asher, Ronald Brown, William Kraus, Bruce Kadden, Lenore Bohm, Karyn Kedar, Uri Goren, Suzanne Griffel, Sydney Helbraun, Ilene Bogosian, Joseph Forman, Audrey Pollack, and Jennifer Weiner.  They all served the congregation through the Hebrew Union College.  The congregation terminated its affiliation with the college in 1995 and hired Rabbi Scott Saulson to lead in our worship services for the next decade.  Since then,  rabbis have included Donald Tam, Victoria Amour-Hileman, Judith Beiner, and Steven Lebow.

Past Presidents of the Congregation include: Philip Cohen, Jacob Kuttner, Isaac May, Presley Esserman, Sol Schwartz, Oscar Borochoff, Hyman Esserman, Daniel Lease, Michael Kraft, Ike Eplan, Ben Esserman, Louis Gavant, Jule Levin, Joseph Rothman, Joseph Esserman, Lyons Heyman, Murray Stein, Bernard Kauffman, Charles Heyman, Sr. , Howard “Buzz” Wachsteter, Richard Werblow, Jules Fallic, Marc Wall, Ira Levy, Jeffrey Peller, Michael Singer, Michael Smith, Shelly Stein Peller, Steven Bell, Nancy Brant, and Jeffrey Brant.

After 125 years, Rodeph Sholom elected its first female president and many women have been active as members of the Board of the Directors and of Sisterhood.  Nancy Brant is the congregation’s current President.

The Sisterhood of the congregation has been a vital force throughout the years.  The women of the congregation have been responsible for fundraising, supporting religious school, organizing and baking for Shabbat and holiday observances, organizing social events, and many more activities.  Past Presidents of the Sisterhood include Mrs. Oscar Borochoff (Ruth), Mrs. Dave B.B. Miller (Babe), Miss Rebecca Mendelson, Mrs. Louis Gavant (Eva), Miss Bella Shepard, Mrs. Josh Schmukler (Mollye), Mrs. Michael Kraft (Raye), Mrs. Hyman Shaffer (Sara), Mrs. I.M. Levinson (Rosalie), Mrs. Jule Levin (Rose), Mrs. Larry Schwartz (Lillian), Mrs. Joe Esserman (Sylvia), Mrs. Mose Esserman (Mindell), Mrs. Herbert Blumberg (Babs), Mrs. Ben Esserman (Marion), Mrs. Joe Rothman (Jenny), Mrs. Murray Stein (Louise), Mrs. Lyons Heyman (Jo), Mrs. Bernard Kauffman (Muriel), Mrs. Dorah Kusnitz, Mrs. Meyer Levinson (Raye).  The next generation of Sisterhood Presidents included Julie Picard, Gail Heyman, Paula Wachsteter, Susan Gavant, Joy Hirsh, Shelly Peller, Lisa Singer, Marilyn Hirsch, Diane Krome, Randy Davis, Jennifer Foley.  Barbara Snow is the current sisterhood president.

In 1975, the Congregation had a gala 100th anniversary celebration with many former members attending.  At that time, Howard “Buzz” Wachsteter was the president of the congregation, and his wife, Paula Esserman Wachsteter was the sisterhood president.  Jo and Lyons Heyman served as the committee co-chairs.  Serving on the Centennial committee were Rabbi Raphael Asher, Ruth and Oscar Borochoff, Lillian and Hyman Esserman, Sylvia Esserman, Muriel and Bernard Kauffman, Mel Moskowitz, Jenny and Joe Rothman, Louise and Murray Stein, Buzz Wachsteter, and Mr. and Mrs. Barry Weinstein.  Numerous letters and notes of recognition were received by the community, as noted in the booklet commemorating the 100th anniversary.

Rodeph Sholom members have been active not only in synagogue life but in the local community.  Leadership positions have been held in nearly every field, including medicine, law, business, manufacturing, education, retail, wholesale, and other services, to name a few. Civic clubs, organizations, and leadership boards have been well supported throughout the generations.  Several members have been active on the state and national levels of many service and professional organizations.

For the past 35 years, the religious school has continued its long tradition of operation through parent volunteers, meeting for several hours each weekend.  The religious school has been a priority of the congregation and its members since its beginning, and parental involvement has ensured the education of our youth.  The school focused on Tzedakah projects, including teaming up for several years with other groups for donations to their food and clothing pantries.  Organizations that have benefited from the religious school projects have been Lovejoy Baptist Church, Exchange Club Family Resource Center, the Baptist Association, and Angel Express and Hospitality House.  Many food and clothing projects have been run.  Hamantashen were baked and delivered to members and services were held to enhance the Jewish learning experience and to promote a lifetime of Jewish learning.  The religious school also has focused on a Shabbat Service, writing its own prayer book in the process.  The goal was for our children to be familiar enough with the service that they would be comfortable in any Reform temple throughout the world.  Over the years, our students have studied Midrashic interpretation of the Torah and history of the Jewish people through dramatic interpretation of the weekly Torah portions with lots of fun.  The mitzvah of teaching our children has continued throughout each generation.  L’DorVa Dor….From Generation to Generation.

The past two decades have included many areas of recognition, development, activities and changes for Rodeph Sholom.  In 1991, the Rome/Floyd County Library remembered and honored Judge Max Meyerhardt for his contribution of 1400 books to help start the circulation library in Rome so many years ago.  A permanent plaque honoring Judge Meyerhardt is located at the downtown library.  The property behind the synagogue was purchased, the house located on it demolished, and a rear parking lot with synagogue access was established.  In July 1992, the synagogue cosponsored a visit to Rome by the Tzabarim Ensemble, a dance troupe from the Jerusalem International YMCA.  The synagogue and Rome communities worked together to provide cultural and social entertainment during the week-long visit of the 42 visitors from Israel.  Public performances were well attended during their time spent in Rome.  Participation in Jewish cultural events continued a few years later.  In 1995. Doug Cotler, a nationally renowned Jewish musician, joined us in Rome and gave a small private concert to our congregation.  A garden located in front of the synagogue honoring Ruth Borochoff was established in 1996.  The religious school students assist in maintaining the garden.  The Tree of Life Sculptures were purchased and placed in the synagogue sanctuary, one tree honoring the Shepard/Holtsberg family in 1997 and the other tree honoring Susan Gavant Wall in 2000.

Rodeph Sholom spearheaded a Prejudice Reduction Project during the year 2000 with the support of the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust.  In the winter we sponsored a teacher’s training course on how to teach the lessons of the Holocaust.  An instructor from Yad Va’Shem led the class, and it was attended by teachers from both the Floyd County and Rome City School Systems and Darlington and Berry Schools.  In the fall of that year, Dr. Leon Bass, a World War II veteran, spoke to the public and to a large audience of local students about his experiences during the liberation of a concentration camp during the war.  Mr. Jaap Polak, a Holocaust survivor, spoke to the public about his experiences also several weeks later.  Throughout the month of October, we sponsored an exhibit at the Rome Area History Museum .  “The Anne Frank Story” personalized the story of the Holocaust to numerous students and other visitors throughout the month.  The Prejudice Reduction Project was very successful and well-received by our community.

In May 2000, the congregation participated in signing the Rome Marriage Savers Covenant and held a weekend seminar.  The activities were designed to train mentors to assist young couples considering marriage and to counsel troubled couples already in a marriage.  The program in Rome was the first of its kind in which a synagogue participated in the National Marriage Savers Program.  In July 2000, a major storm blew through downtown Rome.  Fortunatley, damage to the building was not extensive.  Repairs from the storm were made.  However, if the huge oak tree had fallen any closer to the building, this would have been devastating.  The synagogue cosponsored a community wide interfaith service for World Aids Day in December 2000 involving several members and local churches.  The service took place at the synagogue, with the reception following at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church next door.   The William Bremen Jewish Museum and Archives in Atlanta , Georgia interviewed several members of the community during the year 2001 for historical preservation purposes.  The museum has collected information from congregations all over Georgia and the Board of Directors of Rodeph Sholom voted to donate our records to the museum archives in order to help preserve the rich heritage and history of the Jewish community in Rome.  We are currently working to replace the Torah covers with beautifully designed and hand made Torah mantels.  The new covers are being made by several ladies of the congregation but were not completed in time for the 125th anniversary celebration. They were to be in place before the High Holy Days in the year 2002.

In November 2018, the Rome Community joined with Rodeph Sholom for a “Service for Solidarity” following the deadly attack at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.  We were honored to have 18 local religious leaders with us as well as an overflowing crowd of hundreds joining us in the sanctuary, the Fellowship Hall and on the outside steps.

Presently, Rodeph Sholom continues to be active through High Holy Days and monthly or bi-weekly services, covered dish Shabbat dinners, a congregational Passover Sedar, an active sisterhood, and continued support through volunteerism and the generosity of our current and previous members and friends.  We have continued our record of outstanding service to the community.  Many of our members have distinguished themselves and the Congregation in myriad phases of business and civic life.  As Rome continues its growth, hopefully additional Jewish families will be among the people seeking new opportunity in the City.