CONGREGATION OHAVE SHOLEM.
Congregation Ohave Sholem was founded in 1882 at the old Spencer House on Broadway, with a membership of twenty. B. Davidove was the first president. The congregation remained at the Spencer House for one year, and then rented a little room on Sycamore street. After three years the membership band increased to twenty-five and better quarters were secured on Fourth street. The congregation at this time had three scrolls of the law. In three years more the Fourth street room proved too small for the growing membership and a hall was secured on George street, between Central avenue and John. The organization now numbered thirty members and had five Torahs, so they felt able to incur increased expenses. The congregation remained here four years and then moved to 615 West Court street. Here they remained seven years and purchased the property they occupied for $9,000. The membership was now sixty, and in four years more it had grown to ninety. At this time the synagog on the corner of Richmond and Mound streets, the present home of the congregation, was purchased from Congregation Sherith Israel for $25,000. The congregation now numbers one hundred and thirty members, has twelve scrolls and owns both its present synagog and the property it formerly occupied on Court street. The annual expenditures of the congregation are $2,500.
The officiating rabbi is Rev. S. Lipshitz, who is very popular with his people.