Past, Present and Future: Adath Jeshurun Congregation Celebrates 18 Years in Minnetonka

Editor's note: Etta Fay Orkin and Randi Wolfish contributed to this article. 

“It is hard to believe that we are already making 18 years in what we call the ‘new building,'" said Rabbi Harold Kravitz, who was recently honored as one of the nation's most inspiring rabbis. "The Congregation continues to thrive in this home.”

Adath Jeshurun Congregation is celebrating 18 years in Minnetonka and will be honoring members of the original Steering Committee for the building of Adath at its Thursday, April 25 Benefit. 

Adath Chai Benefit and Celebration Dinner festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday with hors d’oeuvres sponsored by Adath’s TAMID Committee.

Adath now has just under 1,350 members.

“We are grateful to all those whose work and generosity made it possible," said Rabbi Kravitz. "We all continue to do the work of making the Congregation a vibrant center of Jewish Life.”

Adath was founded in Minneapolis 1884. It is the oldest conservative synagogue west of the Mississippi River. It had several “homes” (buildings) before it opened its doors Minnetonka to a new building in 1995.

Paul Pink, who was Adath board president from 1987-1989, said around that time that part of the reason to leave DuPont Avenue in Minneapolis was because “any extensive remodeling would require the entire building being brought up to the current code requirements” and that would be “a costly undertaking.”  

The mechanical systems were nearing the end of their normal life span and parking was difficult and parking expansion economically unfeasible due to the residential neighborhoods surrounding it. 

“Building on our Tradition” was the name of campaign that kicked off the raising funds for the new building. Adath raised more than $8 million, most of it before bricks were laid in Minnetonka, without the help of a professional fundraising organization. The first night the model of the building was shown, $350,000 was pledged.

"Professional fund raisers were interviewed," said past president Norman Pink. "They told us that we needed their services in order to raise the anticipated $8 million to build our building. Jules Levin and Dan Heilicher felt that professionals were not needed, and they chaired the committee that raised more than $9 million without having to pay a percentage to professionals. Esther Katz and Lee Sudit monitored every dime that was pledged and paid negating the need to hire outside accountants."

Close to 100 percent of the congregation participated in the campaign at different giving levels.

TIMELINE

The momentous decision whether to renovate, to stay at 3400 Dupont Avenue in Minneapolis, to have a dual campus or to build a new Synagogue in Minnetonka, were questions Adath Jeshurun congregants and board members had contemplated for more than 30 years. It was investigated, explored, argued, discussed and finally voted upon.

In October, 1991, the results were in: 75% of the Congregation voted via ballot. A large open board meeting was held to present the results. The results were: 2/3 voted to build a new Adath leshurun. 

DuPont Ave Sells for its Asking Price

The Annual Congregational Picnic was held on August 30, 1992 at the Minnetonka site in order for the congregation to view the property. Real Estate Chairman Richard Sachs and Adath President Melvin Goldberg announced that there was an offer from the First Universalist Church to purchase 3400 Dupont Ave for its asking price.

A unanimous vote was taken in favor of selling 3400 Dupont for approximately $1.5 million. The proceeds were placed in a separate fund called the “Capital Repair and Replacement Fund” held by the Adath Foundation to assure that the congregation will always have resources to maintain the building.

On July 11, 1993, the Congregation held a farewell program at 3400 Dupont, "Building on Our Tradition ... THE MOVE" with Passing of the Keys to the First Universalist Church- ­Rabbi Barry Cytron to Reverend Terry Sweetser. Groundbreaking Services followed at the Minnetonka site at 10500 Hillside Lane.

On April 26, 1993, approximately 400 congregants crowded Schanfeld Hall to hear Building Chair Irene Bartram and Associate Chair Scott Bader introduce the new building architect, Maurice “Moe” Finegold, who gave a first glimpse of the preliminary plans for the new building. The reaction was overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

“Moe Finegold was a great choice,” said Rabbi Barry Cytron, who was senior rabbi at Adath at the time. “He listened to everything we wanted. He was a practicing Jew, and he understood Jewish life.”

“Rabbi Barry Cytron, in his quiet, affirmative manner was more responsible than most congregants realize for the success of the move from Dupont Avenue, then to the JCC quarters, the fund raising project, and the stability of the congregation during these transition times," said past president Pink. "His advice and council to all the committee members was invaluable and he was in a large measure responsible for the growth of Adath Jeshurun membership during this period.”

July 7, 1993, the original 1927 and 1954 Educational wings cornerstones were opened. Gerald “Sonni” Miller, Etta Fay Orkin and Sheila Davis (daughter of Morris Besner, who had been property chairman, when the Minnetonka land was purchased), viewed the contents. 
 

A People in Transition

During the transition period from July, 1993 to August, 1995, Adath was a congregation without walls. All Shabbat and holiday services, B'nai Mitzvah, SMP and Religious School, adult education, youth programs and the daily Minyan were held at the Minneapolis Jewish Community Center in St. Louis Park.

Other life cycle events, such as weddings and funerals, were held at area synagogues which generously offered their facilities to the Adath. Gan Shelanu and Camp Mishpacha conducted their programs at the Minneapolis Talmud Torah. The temporary business offices were at 1109 Zane Avenue North and the new telephone number is 545-CHAI.

The High Holiday Services of 1993 were held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. For the first time in 44 years, the entire congregation was able to worship together at one service. There was an optional young family service/Gimel, held adjacent to the main service at the same time. In 1994, the High Holiday Services were held at the Earle Brown Heritage Center.

Sunday, Aug. 13, 1995 at 10 AM: the doors opened to Adath Jeshurun’s new home in Minnetonka. More than 1,000 congregants, dignitaries and guests attended the celebration. At the mezuzah ceremony, everyone sung the Star Spangled Banner and the Hatikva. That day, the Ner Tamid eternal light, was lit and there was blowing of the shofar. 

Mission Statement

In 1995, this statement was put forth: "The Mission of the Adath Jeshurun Congregation, a member of the Conservative Movement, is to be a progressive, egalitarian and sacred community, dedicated to Torah (Learning and Tradition); Avodah (Prayer and Spirituality); & Gemilut Hasadim (Acts of Loving Kindness).

This same mission statement still guides Adath today.

The Building and Design

In the main sanctuary: The Mankato-Kasota stone that is behind the bema dates back to the Paleozoic age and weighs 8.5 tons. It required a 100-ton crane to hoist it in place.

The sanctuary sits on the highest point of the land.

In the chapel: There are 10 chapel windows to represent a minyan. Fringes of a tallis hang in the glass, lending the impression that tallitot are hanging down, protecting the chapel.

“When I first visited the site, I was inspired by the strong bands of blue and gold emanating from the lake, land and the sky," said Maurice Finegold, architect of the Minnetonka building. "They reminded me of the Talmudic test describing when morning prayers may be recited, when one can discern between blue and green.” 

Stained glass: Unfortunately, it would be too expensive to bring the fragile stained glass windows from the old building to the new building. So instead an artistic display was made using architectural transparency photographs of the windows hung in the Minnetonka building it is called the “Window Wall” and hangs on the “Archives Wall.”

The Menorah: A special part of the synagogue is the menorah in the main sanctuary. It was paid for by a donation from The Weiner family – who now has a third generation participating at the Adath. Andy Weiner joined Adath in 1990 as a newcomer to the Twin Cities.

Bench Seating: Andy Weiner, who sat on the steering committee for the new building, recalls a discussion of whether the main sanctuary should have bench seating or stadium seating. He says that Bernie Goldblatt, who was a congregant at that time (and is now Executive Director), lobbied for bench seating remarking that on a cold winter’s day, with bench seating, you would always be able to squeeze one more person on the bench. 

Cantor Scott Buckner Arrives in 1994

Cantor Morton Kula retired in 1994 when the building was still being constructed. Cantor Scott Buckner came from Boston to join Adath. A 1987 graduate of the Cantors Institute (now the H.L. Miller Cantorial School) of the Jewish Theological Seminary, he says that he was “attracted by the vibrancy of the congregation. They were open to creativity and ideas for new music I wanted to bring.” He says he was also impressed by the professionalism of the staff.

Cantor Buckner holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Music from Tufts University with a performance degree in voice and classical guitar. Possessing a lyrical tenor voice with a wide vocal range, Cantor Buckner has thrilled congregations and concert audiences with his Cantorial renditions and musical programs. He has worked together with several modern Jewish singer/songwriters to create a special Friday evening musical “Friday Night Live” service that is held monthly at Adath.

Cantor Buckner also studied in the Cantorial program of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS) and has brought the learning and practices of IJS to our congregation. Most notable is the practice of sacred chanting using the style and music of Rabbi Shefa Gold along with Cantor Buckner’s own compositions. These sacred chants are sung during services often with the help of the Cantor’s high school singing group, the M’shor’rim. Cantor Buckner currently serves on the Ethics Committee of the Cantors Assembly (the largest organization of professional Hazzanim in the world).

Cantor Buckner and his wife Marcy are blessed with four children: Heather, Ethan, Matthew and Rachel.

Rabbi Kravitz Became Senior Rabbi in 1996

Rabbi Kravitz began as an assistant rabbi at Adath and became Senior Rabbi, Max Newman Family Chair in Rabbinics on Oct. 11, 1996. It was Rabbi Kravitz who hammered the mezuzah on the door post of the new building.