Tree of Life Congregation

Congregation History

New Beginnings
Despite being the capital of South Carolina and the home to Jews since at least 1790, there was no  congregation until January 1896. Eighteen of Columbia’s Jews organized a new congregation they had recently formed and called “Tree of Israel.” Many of the founders were established German immigrants engaged in mercantile pursuits. Henry Steele, an Austrian immigrant, served as the unofficial lay leader for the congregation until his death in 1908.¹

In February 1896, the founders met to organize and adopt a congregational constitution. It was at this time that membership requirements, voting privileges, fees, and dues were decided. It was also suggested that rather than organizing under the name Tree of Israel, they should adopt the name “Tree of Life.”

The constitution also declared that the congregation was, “…a Liberal Orthodox Congregation,” implying an attempt to compromise between both reform and orthodox factions.² The services were to be Orthodox, but there was no mention of special seating for women. In addition, those who did not know Hebrew were able to recite prayers in English when they were called to read from the Torah.³ This compromise was an attempt at creating a bridge between Reform and Orthodox Jews in the congregation, but reality would prove to be difficult to manage in the following years.

Due to the lack of financial support from the community, Tree of Life met  in either private homes or over the fire engine house on Assembly Street. In an attempt to raise funds for a synagogue, many congregation members solicited funds from affluent Jewish communities in New York City.⁴ Enough funds were raised to purchase a lot on Lady Street in 1903. Construction of the actual building began in May 1904. After construction was completed, the building was dedicated just days before the High Holy Days in September 1905. Rabbi Jacob Klein of Sumter and Rabbi Barnet A. Elzas of Charleston delivered addresses at the dedication.⁵

The Grand Schism
Despite the attempt at compromise  in the congregational constitution, the reality of pleasing both reform and orthodox members was difficult. Henry Steele served as  the lay leader until his death in 1909 and president until 1899. After Steele’s death, Philip Epstin, who was aligned with the orthodox majority, was elected for multiple terms.⁶

Following a significant increase in members in 1903, the congregation underwent a reorganization and services were more often than not adhered to  Reform rites. Orthodox Jews felt increasingly unwelcome at Tree of Life,  and they began conducting their own services. In 1906, the Orthodox group filed a lawsuit against Tree of Life alleging that the current officers and trustees of the synagogue were illegally elected. The lawsuit, Philip Epstin, et al. v. Julius Berman, August Kohn, et al., was reviewed by Fifth Circuit Judge J. Memminger. The case was eventually thrown out because Epstin could not specify the damages. Epstin then appealed the case to the state Supreme Court in 1907, and Judge Memminger’s decision was ultimately upheld. Because he could not take control of Tree of Life, the group eventually left and established the House of Peace Congregation, which is now known by its Hebrew name, Beth Shalom.⁷ For more information on Beth Shalom, please visit the requisite narrative.

As a result of both the lawsuit and resulting schism, families were divided  and friendships ended. Both congregations also faced logistical issues because there were less than twenty-five family units between the two synagogues.⁸ In the end, Tree of Life had twelve families and still no rabbi.

Following the death of lay leader Henry Steele, the Ladies Aid Society began hiring student rabbis for High Holy Day services as well as hiring other South Carolina rabbis to lead services part time.

The communal Sunday school for Jewish children met  weekly and had thirty students by 1910 because of the recruitment and hard work of the women of the Society.⁹ Aaron David, August Kohn, and Phil Kohn worked alongside the Society to save money to eventually pay for a full time rabbi. Rabbi Harry Abrams Merfeld was the first fully employed rabbi at Tree of Life, starting in late 1914. It was at his insistence that the Society joined the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. From then on, the Society became known as Tree of Life Sisterhood.¹⁰

Unfortunately, the congregation could not continue to pay for a full time rabbi, and Rabbi Merfeld left Columbia in 1916. In lieu of a rabbi, Dr. Josiah Morse, a learned member of the congregation, led services as a  lay leader, and he did so until World War I broke out. Dr. Morse, a psychology professor, was also the first Jewish professor employed by the University of South Carolina in 1911.¹¹ After being unable to lead any longer and because the synagogue still could not afford a rabbi, there were discussions of closing the synagogue permanently. August Kohn and Isadore Schayer pledged to attend every Friday night service even if they were the only ones in attendance. Schayer would go on to routinely conduct services and sermons every week for twenty years.¹²

World War I and the Great Depression
Many young men in the Columbia Jewish community enlisted and fought in World War I. August Kohn, president of the congregation, even opened his home for the duration of the war so Jewish soldiers could have a home away from home. Dr. Josiah Morse, the synagogue’s lay leader, took a temporary leave of absence so he could become the director of the state’s Red Cross and eventually the Red Cross field director at Camp Jackson.¹³

Not long after the end of the war, arrangements were made to have a temporary service center at Camp Jackson relocated to behind Tree of Life. This building housed the religious and community center.

Discussions of closing the synagogue continued after the war ended as there was still no rabbi and new members were hard to come by. Both the Sisterhood and the congregation as a whole were less active than they had been in years prior.

A new committee was formed in March 1925 to bring forth new leadership that could ensure the longevity of Tree of Life.¹⁴ Jack Cohen, Lafayette Strasburger, Louis Simmons, and Charles Reyner became presidents and Sol Fleischman became vice president of the congregation. At this time, the synagogue had only $89 in their bank account and most of the merchant members were struggling in Columbia’s stagnant economy. The congregation then received roughly $1,100 after Rica Steele, Henry Steele’s widow, left her estate to the congregation. The money was then set aside for future development.¹⁵

Despite financial difficulties, the religious school continued to  thrive and Rabbi George Solomon of Savannah, Georgia, periodically traveled  to Columbia for services. In addition, Rabbi Nathan Barasch of Augusta visited twice a month to help lead the Religious School. Because there still was not a regular rabbi, Isadore Schayer continued to lead weekly Friday night services.

The Great Depression worsened an already precarious financial situation. Mrs. Flora Steinhamer Mayer, superintendent of the Religious School, quit in 1930 citing a lack of financial support and a number of building repairs that had not been completed. The congregation ended the 1930 fiscal year with a $55 deficit.¹⁶ In order to ensure the Religious School’s continuation, a system of fees was established as many of the children attending were not from member families. Prior to this, it is presumed that the congregation covered the costs of paying the teachers.

Following the death of longtime leader August Kohn in May 1930, Tree of Life went dormant for three years, “in view of the large number of mourners among the congregation.”¹⁷ Following this dormant period, the synagogue was able to achieve financial stability after a push to increase participation. By early 1933, M.M. Donen suggested that a pledge be signed by all congregation members to ensure there would be at least one Friday service a month. To achieve this, the Sisterhood would call members to remind them of the upcoming service.¹⁸

The Religious School continued to thrive and in 1933, the congregation requested free labor from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, a Works Progress Administration program, to help with the construction of a larger building. Using the money left by Rica Steele, the new synagogue building had seven classrooms, a kitchen, and library space adjacent to the sanctuary.¹⁹

With its outstanding reputation, almost all Jewish children in Columbia attended the Religious School as did many from smaller towns not far from the synagogue. The School was recognized in 1933 as being the only accredited religious school in the country without a resident rabbi.²⁰ By the mid-1930s, fees were fully established to account for the cost of running the School.

In 1937, after years of financial struggle, Tree of Life was finally out of debt and could now focus on hiring a full-time rabbi. A year later, the congregation joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), now known as the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Rabbi Sidney Ballon was hired in spring 1939 and became the first permanent rabbi since 1916. During his tenure, he ran Hebrew classes for adults, a men’s chavurah study group, and even a weekly radio program. In July 1940, Rabbi Ballon married Jean Hymson, a member of the congregation.²¹

World War II and the Holocaust
Jews in Columbia closely followed news of  Nazi discrimination against European Jewish communities. Josiah Morse and Hyman Rubin warned their communities of what was happening and the Sisterhood contributed to a Charleston fund in December 1936 that would help bring a Jewish German child to the United States.²² The Sisterhood also donated to a monthly stipend to support six Jewish refugees. Member Carrie Cohen chaired the Sisterhood’s Committee on Refugees. More and more refugees arrived to the U.S., including at Tree of Life as members were able to secure the arrival of family members that had not yet immigrated.²³

The United States entered World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor and many young Jewish men and women from Columbia enlisted. Rabbi Ballon took a leave of absence in May 1942 to serve as a chaplain in the Army Air Corps. Hours before he left, he helped officiate Tree of Life’s first Bar Mitzvah, that of Charles Reyner, Jr.²⁴

With many of the male congregates serving in the war in some capacity, the Sisterhood worked to provide the remaining congregants with activities. Flo Spiers was the head of the War Committee and had subcommittees responsible for a variety of different areas: sewing groups book collections, and more. As was done during World War I, Tree of Life continued to host local soldiers stationed at Fort Jackson.²⁵ This work helped fill some of the leadership gap as Herbert Hollander, airman, conducted many of the Friday night services for the synagogue. Following his departure, member Melvin S. Harris acted as lay leader until Rabbi Ballon returned in October 1944. To help remember those who were actively serving, the congregation held a Prayer for Peace service in 1942 in which the names of service members were placed on a roll of honor.²⁶

Members of Tree of Life congregation who  were killed in action: Corporal Jake A. Berry; Sergeant Paul Schwartz, and Lieutenant Herbert Bass. Morris Kline was also severely injured, though he was able to make a miraculous recovery.²⁷ Alan Reyner, son of immediate past president Charles Reyner, was captured as a prisoner of war by the Germans in December 1944. He was transported to Berga, a slave labor camp where Jewish prisoners of war were sent. Reyner was able to survive almost five months of captivity and was liberated by American troops in April 1945.²⁸

Post-War Life and the Baby Boom
In 1946, Tree of Life celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a number of engaging activities. A guest speaker from Pennsylvania came and the Sister conducted a special service. Despite festivities and community events, families were still concerned about the whereabouts of loved ones who remained in Europe.²⁹

As happened in many Jewish communities across the United States after the war, Jews were passionate about and committed to the creation of a Jewish homeland. Members fundraised for the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) which worked to provide assistance for refugees leaving Europe. Rabbi Ballon urged members of the congregation to join the Zionist Organization of America, and he frequently gave speeches at a variety of larger community events about Zionism.³⁰

Shortly after the creation of the state of Israel, several Holocaust survivors began settling in Columbia. Four families arrived in May 1949 followed by Felix and Bluma Goldberg, Ben and Jazia Stern, Ben Sklar, and Robert Spitz.³¹

During this time, 30 new member-families joined Tree of Life raising the total membership count to 80 families. It became clear in 1950 that the congregation would quickly need a larger space, and began construction of a new synagogue on Heyward Street in the Columbia suburbs in 1951.³² To accommodate the growing number of members, a kitchen, social hall, seven classrooms, and rabbi’s office were included in the building. That, however, was not enough and an addition was added four years later.³³ Unfortunately, Rabbi Ballon left the congregation in 1948 as he accepted a position at a congregation in Lexington, Kentucky. Rabbi Paul Liner was hired in January 1949, though he left just one year later in March 1950.³⁴

Rabbi David Gruber of Danville, Virginia, was hired during the construction of the building. Like Rabbi Ballon, Rabbi Gruber offered adult learning classes. He was also incredibly interested in interfaith relations in the larger Columbia community.³⁵

As part of the interfaith work, the Sisterhood was selected in 1950 by the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods to lead a program known as the “Interfaith Tea.” Local public school teachers were invited to learn more about Judaism, Jewish holidays, and Jewish culture. 175 teachers and administrators attended the Tea. With the program being such a success in Columbia, The Temple, one of the Jewish centers for civil rights advocacy, in Atlanta adopted the program. Rabbi Gruber also created the Institute of Judaism which worked to explain Judaism, rituals, traditions, and beliefs to Christian clergy members. This annual event was also widely successful with ministers and pastors begging to be allowed to come.³⁶ Rabbi Gruber continued to invite church groups to the new synagogue located on Heyward Street once it opened in May 1952.³⁷

During his tenure at Tree of Life, Rabbi Gruber more or less tried to avoid controversy. Rather than being overly active in the Civil Rights Movement, he urged congregants to acknowledge the “brotherhood of all men.”³⁸

Columbia’s Jewish population continued to grow into the 1960s and exceeded 1,200, with Tree of Life’s membership at just over 100.³⁹ In 1953, Marian Fleischman and Bea Lindau began leading Twigs, a new special program specifically for Jewish teens. The group attended weekend conferences and hosted discussions, plays, services, and even a square dance.⁴⁰

In 1965, the Sisterhood celebrated their fifty-year affiliation anniversary with Planned Parenthood. Just prior to this celebration, the head of the organization gave a presentation to the Sisterhood. This was among the many programs and meetings offered by the women of the Tree of Life.⁴¹

Despite the flourishing activities and programs, the Tree of Life was almost suspended from the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) in 1965 because they were unable to pay their dues. The synagogue was finding themselves with increased operating costs and a stagnating income, operating at a $7,000 yearly deficit.⁴²

It was also during this time that Rabbi Gruber partially retired due to health issues. He became Rabbi Emeritus in 1968 and the Board began interviewing new rabbis. Hebrew Union College graduate Rabbi James L. Apple was hired in August 1968. Rabbi Apple resigned in 1970 following continued misunderstandings about what the synagogue and congregation needed. The Board also worked to increase membership and were able to add roughly 35 new members by the end of 1969.⁴³ On August 17, 1970, Rabbi Gruber unexpectedly and suddenly passed away in New York.

he congregation went without a rabbi for twelve months as they conducted interviews. Rabbi Michael A. Oppenheimer was hired in 1971. Rabbi Oppenheimer helped reorganize the religious school and reinstituted the Institute of Judaism. He became the first non-Christian president of the Columbia Ministers’ Association in 1973. Rabbi Oppenheimer also became involved in battling racial and religious discrimination, looking to resolve racial tensions and also the antisemitic country club admission policies.⁴⁴

Following the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, the Tree of Life began using more Hebrew in their services and bat mitzvahs were also introduced to the congregation. The congregation’s formal name was also changed to Eitz Chaim – Tree of Life.

In July 1971, there were roughly 132 family units, growing to 173 by 1976. The religious school also grew from 60 students to 87 students in the same five year period. Due to this growth in membership, there were questions about expanding the Heyward Street synagogue or moving to a larger location.

In 1976, Rabbi Oppenheimer accepted the head rabbinical position at a larger synagogue in Ohio and Rabbi Howard Kosovske was hired shortly after. He quickly established the first

weekday Hebrew school, which became a prerequisite for b’nai mitzvahs. Between 1976 and 1979, the congregation grew from 173 families to 253. Despite this growth, the congregation was in dire financial straits with a $28,000 deficit. A new dues structure was implemented and fundraising activities were initiated.

There was an undercurrent of tension in the congregation, leading to a May 1986 meeting among second- and third-generation members as well as newcomers to discuss the ways in which they felt the synagogue was acting inconsistently with its mission. Rabbi Kosovske resigned in the summer of 1986.

Growth, in more ways than one
On April 29, 1085, the congregation voted to approve the sale of the Heyward Street building and to construct a new synagogue. The congregation was in dire need of more space and purchased six-acres on Trenholm Road in 1979. This project was tabled until 1984 due to the exorbitant cost the construction would be. In May 1984, the Unitarian Universalist Church made an offer to purchase the building, which alongside fundraising and a generous gift from David Baker, the congregation was able to begin building.

While construction was underway, the congregation also searched for a new rabbi. Telephone interviews were used for the first time, reaching across the United States and even Canada. Female candidates were also considered, though there were few available. Rabbi Sanford T. Marcus was hired in the summer of 1986. He was picked in part because of his experience and knowledge of child development, family relations, and his interest in pastoral care for the sick.⁴⁵

Just days after his arrival, the synagogue moved into the building on Trenholm Road. To mark the momentous occasion, a seven-mile Torah Walk was held in which the synagogue’s Torahs were carried from Heyward Street to Trenholm Road. Four Jewish men at Fort Jackson were tasked with carrying the chuppah over the Torahs. One of the Torahs was smuggled out of Nazi Germany by Lena Oppenheimer in 1938. Her family donated it to Tree of Life in 1947.⁴⁶

Adult women’s bat mitzvahs were among the new programs held at Tree of Life. Trips to Israel were also organized and confirmation classes were taken to New York City. The choir was reestablished and the Sisterhood became actively involved in the transition to the new building.⁴⁷

The congregation focused their efforts on local and international humanitarian issues. They were among the earliest participants in Mazon, a Jewish group that works to address hunger in the United States. Tree of Life also helped support a family in Sumter following Hurricane Hugo’s devastation in September 1989. Members also actively supported Russian Refuseniks Anatoly and Galina Genis who had been trying to leave the Soviet Union for 10 years. They wrote letters on their behalf and also to the family with words of encouragement and support. Following the collapse of the USSR, the family arrived in 1990.

Present Day
Rabbi Erik Uriarte joined Tree of Life in the summer of 2022. Prior to becoming a rabbi, Rabbi Uriarte served in the United States Marine Corps for four years, during which time he served as a lay leader for the military Jewish communities he was part of. As a Student Rabbi, he worked at a variety of synagogues, including the first Jewish-centered addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, California. ⁴⁸

Click/hover on photo for caption.

Architectural Overview

 

Interior Shots

 

Photos courtesy of Mitch Litwer

Endnotes

¹ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, In Pursuit of the Tree of Life: A History of the Early Jews of Columbia, South Carolina, and the Tree of Life Congregation (Columbia, S.C: Tree of Life Congregation, 1996).
² Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
³ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
⁴ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
⁵ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
⁶ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
⁷ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 72.
⁸ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
⁹ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
¹⁰ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
¹¹ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
¹² Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
¹³ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 95.
¹⁴ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 98.
¹⁵ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
¹⁶ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 100.
¹⁷ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 101.
¹⁸ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
¹⁹ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
²⁰ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 102-103.
²¹ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 104.
²² Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 106.
²³ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 106.
²⁴ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 106.
²⁵ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 110.
²⁶ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 110-111.
²⁷ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 111.
²⁸ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 112-113.
²⁹ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 114.
³⁰ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 116.
³¹ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 117-118.
³² “ISJL – South Carolina Columbia Encyclopedia,” Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, accessed August 14, 2023, https://www.isjl.org/south-carolina-columbia-encyclopedia.html.
³³ “ISJL – South Carolina Columbia Encyclopedia.”
³⁴ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, In Pursuit of the Tree of Life: A History of the Early Jews of Columbia, South Carolina, and the Tree of Life Congregation, 121.
³⁵ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 129-130.
³⁶ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 131-133.
³⁷ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 135.
³⁸ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel.
³⁹ “ISJL – South Carolina Columbia Encyclopedia.”
⁴⁰ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, In Pursuit of the Tree of Life: A History of the Early Jews of Columbia, South Carolina, and the Tree of Life Congregation, 139-140.
⁴¹ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 142.
⁴² Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 143.
⁴³ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 144.
⁴⁴ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 146.
⁴⁵ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 156.
⁴⁶ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 158.
⁴⁷ Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel, 161.
⁴⁸ “Staff – Tree of Life Congregation,” accessed December 14, 2023, https://www.tolsc.org/about-us/staff.

 

Belinda Gergel and Richard Gergel. In Pursuit of the Tree of Life: A History of the Early Jews of Columbia, South Carolina, and the Tree of Life Congregation. Columbia, S.C: Tree of Life Congregation, 1996.

Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. “ISJL – South Carolina Columbia Encyclopedia.” Accessed August 14, 2023. https://www.isjl.org/south-carolina-columbia-encyclopedia.html.

“Staff – Tree of Life Congregation.” Accessed December 14, 2023. https://www.tolsc.org/about-us/staff.