“A straw hat? Really?” you might ask. Yes, a simple straw hat sparked the creation of the Former Congregation B’nai Israel. You see, it all began in 1870 with a man named Duber Ginsburg. Picture this: a sweltering summer day, and Duber, a proud immigrant from Marijampol, Lithuania, arrives at the Bais Medrash Hagodol synagogue for services. He’s sporting a straw hat to shield himself from the Chicago sun. Now, the leaders of that synagogue found his hat a tad too casual, even disrespectful. They asked him to leave.
Duber, deeply offended, refused to let this stand. He gathered his friends, fellow immigrants from Marijampol, and together they founded their own synagogue, Ohave Sholom Mariampol, right here in Chicago. This act of defiance, sparked by something as trivial as a straw hat, marked the beginning of what we now know as the Former Congregation B’nai Israel. The congregation, born from a desire for a more welcoming and inclusive space, quickly grew, especially after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 when many found solace and community within its walls. Over the years, the congregation went through mergers, moves, and name changes, eventually becoming the Lakeview Anshe Sholom B’nai Israel that graced this very spot.
While the physical structure may no longer hold the echoes of prayers and songs, the legacy of that simple straw hat and the spirit of inclusivity it represented live on. It’s a testament to the power of standing up for what’s right, for creating a welcoming space for all, and for the enduring strength of community.