Founded on September 3 1903 Anshe Motele Congregation stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Fourteen immigrant carpenters from Motel a shtetl in Russia now Belarus established this synagogue. They added an extra ‘e’ to Motel a Yiddish endearment. Three years earlier these same men formed the Jewish Carpenters Union Local 504. Anshe Motele was more than a place of worship. It served as a financial and aid society supporting members in need. It was fondly known as the carpenters’ shul.
Initially located on Chicago’s Maxwell Street the congregation relocated several times. The Jewish population shifted westward. Anshe Motele followed moving to the West Side and then Lawndale. By the 1950s it found its current home in West Rogers Park. Imagine the journeys these individuals undertook the hardships they endured to build this community. The building itself is a silent observer a witness to countless prayers celebrations and acts of mutual support.
Think of the stories whispered within these walls. Generations of families have celebrated life cycle events here. Joy and sorrow have mingled within its sanctuary. The congregation has been a beacon of hope a source of strength for those seeking solace and connection. The database of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois contains 350 records from Anshe Motele. These records offer a glimpse into the lives of the individuals who shaped this community. Most burial locations are known. However for headstone photos of those buried in the Anshe Motele section at Waldheim Cemetery consult the Society’s database. The Anshe Motele Congregation represents not just a place of worship but also a living history. It embodies the spirit of community resilience and faith that has sustained it for over a century. Its existence shows the strength of shared identity and mutual support. Let us take a moment to reflect on the lasting legacy of Anshe Motele Congregation.