Congregation Ansha Sholum

Brief History of Congregation Ansha Sholum

Lawrence's early Jewish immigrants arrived in the 1880's and founded synagogues such as Congregations
Sons of Israel and Ansha Sfard on the former Concord Steet in Lawrence and later Temple Emanuel on
Tower Hill in 1920. In 1917, a small group of residents from "croz de Spika" (across the Spicket River)
neighborhood started to organize a synagogue and fi

led for formal state incorporation on January 21, 1919. Thus Congregation Ansha Sholum, known as the "Little Shul" relative to the larger orthodox synagogues,
was established. In 1919, the congregation also purchased the current location, then a two family home
at 411 Hampshire Street, and converted it for religious services. As Lawrences Jewish population moved to the surrounding suburbs,
Congregation Ansha Sholum remained and is now the only synagogue in the city of Lawrence. The original signers of the articles of incorporation were: Joseph Susman, Nathan Cohen, Max Ritter,
Samuel Kaplan, Samuel Zoslawsky, Louis Miller, Louis Katz, Nathan Becker, Ghersin Goldstein, Issak
Mellon, Max Zaft, Isadore Gannick and Hyman Shicop. The first elected officers were: President Joseph
Susman, Treasurer Max Ritter and Clerk Louis Katz. In the 1920's, the synagogue hired Rabbi Abraham
Appleberg who remained the rabbi for almost thirty years. His wife Rebecca also was very active in the
synagogue. Since his departure, the congregation has been led by the members themselves, except for the
High Holidays. Over the 1920's, the synagogue grew rapidly and there was a need for more space. In 1930, the
congregation started a major building program as a result of a legacy left to Congregation Ansha Sholum
by J. Sandler, a prominent member. The building committee included Louis Pearl, President, S. Albert,
Treasurer, J. Geller, H. Silverman, R. Needle, Secretary, Reve. Abraham Appleberg, H. Zack,
Building Committee chair, L. Winer, Treasurer, H. Gilbert and B. Handler. The committee hired Joseph
Morissette, a Lawrence architect, to develop the plans for the expansion. Joseph Torrisi was responsible
for the outstanding woodworking. The Ladies Auxiliary at the time raised the funds to purchase the new
beautifully crafted Torah Ark. The remodeled synagogue was dedicated in March 1931. In 1973, the
Allan Ash Estate contributed to the latest renovation of the historic synagogue. Celebrations held at Congregation Ansha Sholum include the Golden anniversary held on April 1969 and
the 75th celebration held on November 13, 1994. Past and present leaders of Congregation Ansha Sholum
include Abraham Zaft, Melvin Zaft, Judge Maurice Schwartz, Robert Goldberg, Jack Hershfield, Rose Cuscia
and many others. Members also participated in Lawrence's Workmen's Circle Branch #902 founded in 1932. We welcome families and youth to our historic synagogue. In recent years, a number of bar and bat
mitzvahs were held at the Little Shul under the direction of our spiritual leaders Jeffrey Cornblatt and
Elizabeth Beraha. Congregation Ansha Sholum is a warm and vibrant congregation open to all, welcoming the participation
of young and old in our services. Melvin Zaft, the President of Congegation Ansha Sholum, is the third
generation of his family involved in its leadership. In 2009, we celebrated our 90th anniversary. We welcome the curiosity of those interested in learning more about the history of this and other Jewish
communities in Lawrence. For further information on the history of the synagogue, contact Linda Sigenthaler at
[email protected] or Congregation Ansha Sholum, P.O. Box 1045, Lawrence, MA 01842