Did you know Congregation B’Nai Emunah in San Francisco has a fascinating story? It involves refugees from Nazi Germany and a journey across the Pacific. This congregation’s history is a testament to resilience and faith.
Congregation B’Nai Emunah’s story begins in 1949. Mostly German Jews founded it. They had fled Nazi persecution to Shanghai in the late 1930s. Shanghai was unique. It accepted Jewish refugees without visas.
Imagine these families uprooted but determined. They rebuilt their lives in Shanghai. They established synagogues, schools and businesses. They created community centers.
After World War II many “Shanghai Jews” continued their journey. They crossed the Pacific to America. This marked a new chapter in the Jewish diaspora.
The small congregation grew quickly. In 1976 Congregation B’Nai Emunah purchased a permanent site. It was located at 3595 Taraval Street.
In December 1949 inaugural services were held. The location was Golden Gate Commandery Hall on Sutter Street. Among those present were 23 Jewish refugees. They had arrived in San Francisco from China. Founding rabbi George Kantorowski led them.
One member Mike Knobloch recalled. Early members greeted each other with German phrases. “Guten abend und wie geht es Ihnen?” which means “Good day and how goes it?”. German was the main language spoken. This was both on the bimah and in the social hall.
Not all members went through Shanghai. Some survived the Holocaust differently. Henry Haertel remembered Kristallnacht in 1938. Synagogues were destroyed in his native Breslau Germany.
Haertel and his brothers were forced laborers. They avoided deportation because their father was not Jewish. After the war the family reunited. They lived in France and Panama before coming to San Francisco.
In 1948 Haertel and his twin brother saw the Golden Gate. Their English was limited but they found work. They also found Congregation B’Nai Emunah. Monthly dues were just one dollar. Louis became temple secretary. Both brothers joined the board.
Congregation B’Nai Emunah moved several times. They held High Holy Day services in various locations. These included the Druids Temple and the Scottish Rite Auditorium. Finally in 1975 they found a permanent home on Taraval Street.
Rabbi George Kantorowski retired in 1968. German-born Rabbi Ted Alexander succeeded him. He had served a small congregation in the East Bay. Alexander was glad to join his fellow Shanghailanders.
One of his first changes was English only. German sermons became a thing of the past. Rabbi Alexander noted the shul survived. He said it was because of lessons learned by the founders. New generations joined. They were attracted by sentiments of unity and family.
In 2019 Congregation B’Nai Emunah celebrated its 70th anniversary. This milestone marked decades of community. It celebrated faith and perseverance.
In 2021 Congregation B’Nai Emunah merged. It joined with Congregation Beth Israel Judea. The new congregation is named Am Tikvah. It is located on Brotherhood Way.
Even after the merger the legacy continues. The story of Congregation B’Nai Emunah remains. It stands as a reminder. It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. It shows how a community can rise from ashes. It can find new hope.