(Jewish Daily Bulletin)
Rabbi Abraham Hirschberg of Temple Sholom verified a report that an amalgamation is being considered by the two largest and wealthiest Jewish congregations in Chicago; his temple, which is situated on the north side of the city, and Sinai Temple, located on the south side, of which Dr. Louis Mann is rabbi.
The rabbi said that although nothing definite has been done, board members of both congregations are considering the sale of the present sites of their two temples and the building of a magnificent structure in the loop or the near North side for the joint use of the north and south side Jews.
It is understood that each congregation is to have its own community house and other services, one group north and the other south, with all Sabbath and Holiday services in the downtown temple.
These plans come as a surprise particularly as far as Temple Sholom is concerned. That congregation has just completed work on its new $2,500,000 temple and community center. The desire of Sinai temple to move is not unexpected. The present temple and community center is situated on Grand Boulevard in the center of what is now the negro district of Chicago. Negotiations have been going on for some time with negro groups for the sale of the buildings. It was understood that Sinai congregation, of which Julius Rosenwald is one of the leading members and officers, would erect a series of buildings in the South Shore districts several miles south and east of its present location.
The two congregations, the wealthiest in Chicago, are in a financial position to acquire an expensive loop site and erect one of the finest temple-office buildings in the world.
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.
