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Shared Memories of Beth Emmanuel

I also remember the old Taylor shul, which was down the street from Hutchins Intermediate, where I was a studentin 1950-53. My father's Bar Mitzvah was there in 1925, and I remember going to visit my grandfather there on High Holidays when I was very little. I have an image of being surrounded by men in their prayer shawls, chanting and rocking, in a very hot and crowded atmosphere of a late afternoon. The shul was, in fact, called the Emmanuel Synagogue, as can be seen on this invitation from my grandparents for a Bar Mitzvah party in honor of their sons. My father and his younger brother were born exactly one year apart, so their parents waited to have a joint Bar Mitzvah when the younger son turned 13.

- Dan Slobin

My father grew up in the Taylor Shul and became a Bar Mitzvah there in 1926.  The only time I can recall being in the Shul was at a cousin’s Bar Mitzvah in 1953.  I distinctly remember the large scale of the sanctuary (impressive for a 5 year old) and I very much remember being hit on the head with candy that the women of the congregation (who sat on the balcony) threw at the men at the conclusion of the Bar Mitzvah.
Regards,
Neil Schneider

My father spoke of the Taylor Shul often, telling me that he had taken me to High Holiday services in this building when I was just a toddler. He also described how his mother--my grandmother--would "open it up and close it down" on those days, meaning that she attended services from beginning to end--even on the all-day Yom Kippur service. His father--my grandfather--arrived later and left earlier, I'm told.

This synagogue later merged with another and has been known as Beth Tefilo Emmanuel Tikvah. It moved from Taylor to a storefront on the west side of Wyoming on the corner of Thatcher, just north of Mumford High School, and moved once again to its present hom on the west side of Greenfield between 9 and 10 Mile. For many years Rabbi Leizer Levin, of blessed memory, officiated and I remember hearing his sermons in Yiddish.
- Morrison Z

I am quite certain that this shul was not named "Beth Emmanuel". My grandfather was one of its founding members, but I can't remember the name. I do recall that Chazen Boyarsky was the Cantor in the 30's.I do agree that the shul was known as the Taylor St. Shul.
- Aaron-Florida

If this was known as the Taylor Shul, my Husband and I were married there in l949. I believe the Rabbi was Vogellanter. There are other names as witnesses on our Kutubah if you would wish. Search-ingly yours,
- Nancy

This synagogue was better known as the Taylor Street Shul. It was an Orthodox congregation and served many families who lived in the neighborhood.
- Ruthe