Temple Emanuel will open its doors for a Grand Rapids Historical Society program that could be titled the "long" Jewish connection in Grand Rapids. Documents housed at Temple Emanuel indicate that Grand Rapids' first permanent Jewish settler arrived in 1852. Nearly 160 years later, Julius Houseman is part of our city's rich history. A city alderman, our first Jewish mayor and, in 1883, our representative to the 48th Congress of the United States, Houseman was also among the founders of Temple Emanuel in 1857, the fifth oldest Reform congregation in the nation.

Referring to materials from the Peg and Mort Finkelstein Archive, Rabbi Michael Schadick will provide an overview of West Michigan Jewish history and illustrate how waves of immigrants from different parts of Europe at different times explain the differences among Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative Judaism today. After he untangles the histories of local Jewish institutions (Ahavas Achim and Beth Israel merged to form Ahavas Israel),archivist Barbara Robinson will recount how archival materials also tell the evolving story of women congregants: how they moved beyond auxiliary roles, became dues-paying members in their own right, and contributed to the general welfare of the surrounding community. From front to back, the halls of Temple Emanuel exhibit artifacts and a progression of exhibits created by Peg Finkelstein who, with her husband Mort, endowed the Temple Emanuel archive. She and Robinson have begun training others in the preservation of historical materials, and Finkelstein will discuss the system they have developed to house the Temple Emanuel treasure trove.

Congregants can be justifiably proud to have created an archival model showing how community institutions can gather and protect the materials of their heritage. Before the program on Thursday, November 10th, roam the exhibit halls and visit the Archive itself. Afterward, enjoy conversation and a reception hosted by the Archive.