"For ask now of the days past..."
The oft-quoted wish "may you live to 120" has been achieved by Congregation
Rodfei Zedek, which was established in 1874 in the Canaryville area on what
is now the South Side of Chicago, at that time the independent Town of
Lake. Worshipping together in a Canaryville storefront, the founders chose
for their congregation a name taken from a phrase in the Book of
Isaiah: Rodfei Zedek, the Pursuers of Righteousness.
By the 1890's the membership of Rodfei Zedek had grown to some fifty
families, and the congregation had moved from its storefront location to
its own building, a small frame structure located at 42nd and Union.
In 1899, Rodfei Zedek obtained a State charter,
becoming a religious corporation under Illinois law. Then disaster struck
in the form of a fire, completely destroying the little wooden synagogue.
48th Street |
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After several years in rented quarters in the area, the congregation
purchased its second synagogue building, an unused Baptist church at
56 E. 48th Street between Wabash and Michigan Avenues. Rodfei Zedek
moved into its new location in October 1906. This move marked a real
change in location for the synagogue. On 48th Street Rodfei Zedek was no
longer surrounded by Canaryville shanties. Instead, it was located amidst
the fashionable homes and apartment buildings of the section knows as Grand
Boulevard (named for the elegant avenue that today is Martin Luthor King Drive).
Largely Orthodox in orientation, Rodfei Zedek functioned either without a
rabbi or with a series of rabbis with brief tenures. Then in August 1919
Benjamin Daskal, still a young man of 25, became the congregation's fourth
rabbi. Rabbi Daskal functioned as the rabbi, later Emeritus, until he passed
away in 1974. Rabbi Daskal represented the unique blend of tradition and
modernity that characterized Rodfei Zedek. Among his early innovations were
the introduction of a late Friday evening service, and the use of a uniform
prayer book for all services
After Rabbi Daskal's arrival the membership roster reached a high point of
125 families,
Greenwood Avenue |
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and the congregation was outgrowing the 48th Street synagogue.
In the fall of 1923 the congregation purchased a two-story residence at
5426 South Greenwood Avenue in Hyde Park, and made plans for a new synagogue
on the adjacent land. On May 18, 1924, Rodfei Zedek laid the cornerstone
for its new building, which was completed in 1925 and dedicated on May 23, 1926.
Innovations in ritual practice continued under Rabbi Daskal and the
synagogue's lay leadership. In the fall of 1927 there occurred an event of
considerable significance. At the annual meeting of the congregation,
Rodfei Zedek acknowledged that it had become a Conservative synagogue and
officially joined the United Synagogue of America. In making this decision
the members of Rodfei Zedek gave formal recognition to the changes that had
occurred within the synagogue during its first half-century of existence.
What began as a storefront minyan had now evolved into a Conservative
synagogue of stature, to be further benefited by the broadened outlook and
strength of national affiliation.
Benjamin Daskal |
Ralph Simon |
In 1942 the Board of Trustees bestowed on Rabbi Daskal the title of Rabbi
Emeritus, and Rabbi Ralph Simon was installed as the congregation's fifth
rabbi in September 1943. Among Rabbi Simon's numerous contributions was the
establishment of an Institute of Adult Studies at the congregation, and
leadership in the establishment of Camp Ramah, a Jewish summer camp in
Wisconsin, in 1947.
Under the leadership of Rabbi Simon, reforms in ritual continued to make
worship at Rodfei Zedek more modern and aesthetically appealing. Combined
with his educational reforms, over 200 new member families were attracted
to the congregation. By the end of World War II it was recognized that the
Greenwood Avenue synagogue could no longer meet the demands of a steadily
growing membership. In 1948, property was acquired at 5200 South Hyde Park
Boulevard, the congregation's present location. Already on site was a
sixteen-room brick mansion. Subsequently, a community hall was constructed
in 1950, the sanctuary was dedicated in May 1955, and an educational center
was added in 1965; in 1992 the sanctuary was rededicated as the Rabbi Ralph
Simon Sanctuary.
Exterior |
Sanctuary |
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5200 South Hyde Park Boulevard
[Original Structure]
(Photographs by Hedrich Blessing Studios) |
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The decision to remain in Hyde Park, resulting in the move to the present
location, was an historic one. In fact, Rodfei Zedek was participating
in an unprecedented urban experiment: fighting urban blight in a
community instead of fleeing from it. After years of community effort, the
redevelopment of Hyde Park/Kenwood has been successful.
During this period Rodfei Zedek has become a firmly established Hyde
Park institution; it has also become a synagogue known and respected
throughout the United States.
Ralph Simon, after many years of devoted service, was designated Rabbi
Emeritus in 1987, and retained that title until he passed away in 1996.
He was succeeded first by Rabbi Vernon Kurtz, then by the present rabbi,
Rabbi Elliot B. Gertel. Innovations at Rodfei Zedek continued under
the leadership of both men, culminating in the synagogue becoming
completely egalitarian.
5200 South Hyde Park Boulevard |
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Today, after almost a century and a quarter, we continue to live Rodfei
Zedek's "history". Our task is to remain a viable religious institution
on Chicago's South Side. The latest chapter of our history involves a complete reconfiguration of our
facilities. In 1998 part of our Hyde Park Boulevard property was purchased by the Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School and a completely new structure has been constructed on the site. The new facility, dedicated in September 2000, has been designed to serve the needs of both Rodfei Zedek and the Hyde Park Jewish Community Center. It represents a remarkable and unique pooling of resources which may well serve as a model for the future of community planning, and is a reaffirmation of the Hyde Park communty of which we have so long been a part. We look forward to a second 120 years for Congregation
Rodfei Zedek in Hyde Park.
Much more information on the history of Rodfei Zedek can be found in:
Krucoff, Carole
Rodfei Zedek: The First Hundred Years
Chicago, Congregation Rodfei Zedek, 1976
Copies can be obtained through the Nelson Judaica Gift Shop.
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