Several hundred men, women and children from various parts of Michigan and neighboring states–all of them former Christians who have adopted Judaism–congregated here yesterday afternoon on the estate of Lewis A. Goodin and, in ceremonies reminiscent of Bible days, dedicated the first Biblical altar constructed since destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Jewish families from Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Grand Haven–including Rabbi M. Ostrowsky, of Muskegon–also participated in the ceremonies, which marked the entry of 50 new converts to Judaism into the Jewish faith. An announcement by the United Israel World Union, sponsor of the event, said the ceremonies marked the “return to the mother faith of Israel of American Christians who have come to recognize themselves as the true lineal descendants of the ten lost tribes of Israel and now seek union with the Jewish people under the Mosaic banner.”
Following dedication of the eight-foot altar, Rabbi Ostrowsky and Jochanan Goodin, a convert, took a Scroll of the Law–lent for the occasion by the Muskegon synagogue–raised it aloft, and proclaimed the union of the lost tribes of Israel with the house of David. As Rabbi Ostrowsky blew the Shofar, the converts marched around the altar seven times, carrying traditional Succoth palm branches. The flag of Israel was prominently displayed throughout the rites.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
