Small Jewish Community in Leavenworth Denies Reports of Extinction

The Jewish community of this city, though small quantitatively, is very much alive and anything but extinct, it was declared here today in correction of erroneous impressions spread in the press.

The error, terming Leavenworth’s Jewish community “extinct,” was due to a correct report about a small synagogue here having sent several Torah scrolls to Israel, according to Ralph W. Sickel, secretary of Temple B’nai Jeshurun. Those scrolls, he said, had belonged previously to a small synagogue, The House of Jacob, which had to dissolve because the congregation found it impossible to maintain a required number of worshipers for a minyan. However, he noted, “the congregation of Temple B’nai Jeshurun still very much exists.”

While the temple does not employ a fulltime rabbi of its own, he said, services are held at the temple. During the High Holy Days this year, he said, Marvin Rosenberg, president of the congregation, had made arrangements to have services transmitted by telephone through the cooperation of Rabbi William B. Silverman, of Temple B’nai Jehudah, in Kansas City. More than 50 Jews living in Leavenworth and Ft. Leavenworth participated in those services, he declared.

“The loyal Jews of Leavenworth, “he stated, “feel it necessary to clear up this grave misunderstanding. Readers are invited to come here and see how a small group of living Jews carry on the teachings and commandments of Judaism in spite of obstacles.” He noted that Leavenworth Jewry has a very active B’nai B’rith chapter, participates in the work of Hadassah, maintains a Temple Sisterhood, aids the work of the National Council of Jewish Women, and contributes funds to Israeli causes.