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Descriptive Summary
Creator:	Congregation Ohave Sholom
Title:	Records of Congregation Ohave Sholom- Gardner, Mass.
Dates:	undated, 1957-1998 (bulk 1958-1980)
Abstract:	Congregation Ohave Sholom was formed on January 20, 1910 in Gardner, Massachuesetts. At the time the synagogue was built, Ohave Sholom had 20 families as members, but during World War I the population peaked, and 60 families held membership. However, by the 1970s membership began to decline and in 1998, with only 12 members remaining, the congregation dissolved.
Languages:	The collection is in English.
Quantity:	.5 linear ft. (1 manuscript box)
Identification:	I-492
Repository:	American Jewish Historical Society
Location:	Located at AJHS, Boston, MA.

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Historical Note

Congregation Ohave Sholom was formed on January 20, 1910 in Gardner, Massachusetts. Listed as original members were Abraham Rosenberg, Barney N. Michelman, Bernard L. Cohen, Isidore Meyer, Hyman J. Rome, Abraham Cohen, and Max Rose. In the charter document, as well as the property deed, Ohave Sholom is spelled Ohowe Sholom. Ohave Sholom means Love-Peace. The synagogue was built in 1912 with approximately 20 families as members. Around World War I, the Jewish population peaked, and roughly 60 families were members of the congregation.¹ The congregation’s first English-speaking Rabbi was Rabbi Israel Silverstein, hired in 1932. By the 1970s, there were fewer than 40 members. At the time of the dissolution, there were only 12 members left. The congregation was dissolved on February 26, 1998. The remaining funds were given to 15 different organizations, decided by the remaining members.²

¹ "Gardner Synagogue Facing Final Passover", Susan Coleman, The Montachusett T&G, April 13, 1995
² "Memory of Gardner Synagogue Survives with Scholarship," The Montachusett T&G, May 13, 1998

Chronology
1910	Congregation Ohave Sholom was formed.
1912	Synagogue was built.
Post World War I	Congregation Ohave Sholom membership includes 60 families.
1932	Congregation Ohave Sholom hires first English-speaking Rabbi.
1970s	Congregation Ohave Sholom includes fewer than 40 families.
1998	Congregation Ohave Sholom is dissolved.

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Scope and Content Note

This collection contains records of the Congregation Ohave Sholom and Ohave Sholom Sisterhood, Gardner Chapter Hadassah. The collection has been organized into two series: General and Ohave Sholom Sisterhood, Gardner Chapter Hadassah. The General series contains documents, mostly dated from 1995-1998, regarding the dissolution of the congregation. In addition, there is a book excerpt describing the history of Jewish people in Gardner, Massachusetts and a speech written by the nephew of Joseph L. Rome, one of the founding members. The Ohave Sholom Sisterhood, Gardner Chapter Hadassah series contains records dated from 1958-1986. Records include meeting minutes, membership lists, donation records, correspondence and annual donor party program booklets.

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Arrangement

The collection is divided into two series, as described below:

• Series I: General, undated, 1981-1998
• Series II: Ohave Sholom Sisterhood, Gardner Chapter Hadassah, undated, 1957-1986

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers by permission of the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society, except items that are restricted due to their fragility.

Use Restrictions

Information concerning the literary rights may be obtained from the Executive Director of the American Jewish Historical Society. Users must apply in writing for permission to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection. For more information contact:
American Jewish Historical Society, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY, 10011
email: info@ajhs.org

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Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date (if known); Records of Congregation Ohave Sholom- Gardner, Mass.; I-492; box number; folder number; American Jewish Historical Society, Boston, MA and New York, NY.

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Acquisition Information

The collection was donated to AJHS by Arlene Rome.

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Access Points

• Subject Names:

  • Rome, Joseph L.
  • Silverstein, Israel, Rabbi

• Subject Organizations:

  • Congregation Ohave Sholom (Gardner, MA)
  • Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization. Gardner Chapter (Gardner, MA)
  • Ohave Sholom Sisterhood

• Subject Places:

  • Gardner (Mass.)

• Document types:

  • Business Records
  • Clippings
  • Correspondence
  • Financial Records
  • Minutes
  • Programs

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Container List

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series I: General, undated, 1981-1998.
The Series is in English.
2 Folders.
Arrangement: Alphabetical.
Scope and Content: The majority of this series contains documents regarding the dissolution of the congregation in 1998. The earliest document in this collection describing this process is dated December 1994. The documents include correspondence and meeting minutes, the disposition of specific items, and the selling of the congregation’s property and liquid assets. This collection also contains a historical excerpt about the Jewish people in Gardner, Massachusetts and a speech by the nephew of Joseph L. Rome, one of the founding members of the congregations. The speech was given to commemorate the burning of the synagogue’s mortgage after its final payment. Several financial reports and official letterhead can also be found in this series.
Box	Folder	Title	Date
1	1	Congregation Dissolution	undated, 1995-1998
1	2	Miscellaneous	undated, 1981-1989

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Series II: Ohave Sholom Sisterhood, Gardner Chapter Hadassah, undated, 1957-1986.
The Series is in English.
5 folders.
Arrangement: Alphabetical.
Scope and Content: This series contains records of the Ohave Sholom Sisterhood, Gardner Chapter Hadassah. There is no date regarding the formation of this Chapter. The earliest record is from 1957. This series contains Annual Donor Party Program Booklets from 1958-1986, with seven missing during those dates. Also in this series is correspondence consisting mostly of thank you notes with the bulk from dated from 1965-70 and 1978-1979. There are also donation records from 1957-1978. The general folder contains a Jewish Holiday and Festival booklet from 1969 and an undated script of a play "A Sisterhood Meeting." The last folder, governance, contains meeting minutes from 1958-1963 written in a composition book, undated membership lists and the Sisterhood Ohave Sholom letterhead.
Box	Folder	Title	Date
1	3	Annual Donor Parties	1958-1986
1	4	Correspondence	undated, 1965-1980
1	5	Financial Records	1957-1978
1	6	General	undated, 1969
1	7	Governance	undated, 1958-1963

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