The Jewish Community Center of Bangor, Pennsylvania, was one of the smallest synagogues in the United States. Founded in 1945, it occupied the former Shiloh Welsh Methodist Episcopal church, built 1890, at 27 S. 4th St.
Student rabbis from the New York Jewish Theological Seminary served the congregation and attained national recognition later in their lives. These men were Harold Schulweiss, Raphael Gold, and American author Chaim Potok.
This section documents the creation of the synagogue through news articles found in the Bangor Daily News archives. The articles cover the years 1945 to 1962, when the synagogue closed.
Thanks to the generous donation by Jeff Share and Judith Share Yaphe, all articles have been transcribed. Thanks also to Susan Weiss for transcribing the articles.
6/7/1945 — Walter Blau Gets Bronze Star for Bravery WITH THE SECOND INFANTRY DIVISION IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA Pfc. Walter Blau, of 235 Market Street, Bangor, Penna., recently was awarded the Bronze Star for gallantry in action on {illegible} -ing General, Major General Walter M. Robertson.
He is the husband of Mrs. Gertrude Blau, 235 Market Street, Bangor, Penna.
The group, along with Pfc. Blau and First Lieut. Werner R. Haller, was one vehicle detached from the Regimental Column and was in doubt as to whether the wooded area through which it was passing had been cleared by friendly troops. After driving several miles without seeing any sign of American soldiers, the group encountered a 60-yard roadblock and were forced to stop. In their recent experiences road had all been manned by enemy troops. Nevertheless the value of any information which could be obtained outweighed the inclination to effect an immediate withdrawal. Lt. Haller ordered the three men to positions of concealment covering the approaches to the road block. The man advanced quickly and almost immediately discovered the presence of German soldiers. It was quite obvious now that this road had not been traveled by the 9th Combat Team Column, but despite the manifest danger these men displayed a calm self-possession worthy of seasoned combat soldiers. Lt. Haller ordered the nearest German to summon the senior officer present. Soon an NCO and a messenger stepped forward, covered by Staff Sgt. Levi. T-4 Hingst and Pfc. Blau disarmed them after ascertaining that some 80 enemy troops were in the immediate vicinity. Lt. Haller directed the NCO to assemble his men on the road. The German, uncertain as to our strength and apparently bluffed by the demeanor of our soldiers, surrendered his men. Disarmed, the two enemy platoons marched down the road to give themselves up to the Third Battalion, Ninth Infantry. Lt. Haller attributes the success of this episode entirely to the cool and soldierly behavior of the three men who were cited.
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9/12/1950 — Winkler’s Invite Public to View Rare Cereus Bloom A very rare flower, the night blooming Cereus, will blossom tonight at about 8 o’clock at the home of its owner, Mrs. Max Winkler, Bangor RD 1. Mrs. Winkler has extended an invitation to all interested to visit at her home this evening to witness the oddity. The Winklers live on the road to Achenbach’s Grove, just outside of Ackermanville.
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9/6/1960 — Remember When Column - 9/6/1930 30 Years Ago
After two weeks of installation work by Buzzard Electric Co., under the supervision of Western Electric engineers, a new $10,000 sound system was ready to offer us a first talking picture performance at the Strand Theatre. Manager Ralph Sobelson’s initial offering was “Safety In Numbers” starring Buddy Rodgers, to be followed by “New Movie Follies of 1930” featuring El Brendo, Marjorie White and Frank Richardson.
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