Adath Israel

NE Corner of Ninth and Cutter (Now part of I-75).

About sixty years ago, somewhere around 1846, a number of German Polish Jews united to establish the Adath Israel Congregation, known today even as the "Polish Shule." Among the founders were Harris, M. Haas, Newman, the Tuch brothers and other well-known Cincinnati Jewish names. Their first place of worship was in Lodge street, near Seventh and Walnut, in the same vicinity where all the earlier places of worship were. That section of the city was the Jewish quarter as near as there ever was one in this city.

Something like twenty years ago Nathan Feld, H. Franklin, S. L. Mode, Philip Dene, F. Soloshin, Martha Cohen, I. Hirshberg and a few others, with more progressive ideas, secured temporary quarters at Seventh and Cutter streets, but could not retain the hall for some reason, and after two months held services in the house of Nathan Feld. Eight years later a fund was secured by subscription, donation and in other ways for the purpose of building a synagog. The residence property on the corner of Ninth and Cutter streets was purchased and converted into the present temple at a cost of $15,000.

At present the congregation has eighty-five members and is in the most flourishing period of its existence. The old debt is almost paid, and the congregation has a beautiful cemetery, all paid for, on Price Hill. It was this cemetery, indeed, which kept the congregation together until the present time, when the young men are joining and following in the footsteps of their fathers.

There is in addition the Ladies' Benevolent Society of Adath Israel Congregation, which works for the good of the organization. The dues are $3 per annum for each member, and the society has other sources of income, all of which is devoted to the congregation.

For many years Rabbi Kuttner was at the head of the congregation, and following him came Dr. Berg. Some ten years ago Rev. Joseph Magrill was chosen rabbi and cantor, which offices he still fills in a most acceptable manner. -- language from "Cincinnati, the Queen City, 1788-1912" By Charles Frederic Goss

Moved to Avondale