Jewish Community Center (New Bedford, Mass.) records

In the 1920’s and 1930’s there was a strong movement to erect Jewish community center buildings across the United States. They functioned as important elements of unification for the Jewish community regardless of synagogue loyalties or the lack thereof. The New Bedford Jewish community had many clubs and organizations in which many participated, but missing was a central location—a nucleus of Jewish activity. The League of New Bedford Jewish Youth began in 1938 discussions of a building for the already functioning Community Center. A physical building being beyond their immediate financial means, they continued to conduct activities to build community spirit within the walls of the Synagogue. The process of acquiring a building for the Jewish Community Center of New Bedford began in 1940. The Tifereth Israel Synagogue purchased the Nowell Estate property (95 Madison St.) with funding from the New Bedford Council of Jewish Women and the Young Women’s Hebrew Association. However, the Nowell Estate was never used as a Jewish Center, but was occupied by and rented to the Women’s Civilian Defense Corps during World War II. The property was then sold, and the Synagogue purchased the McCullough property (Sixth and Madison St.). When the Langshaw (also known as the Rodman Mansion) property at 388 County Street became available for purchase, the McCullough property was sold and the Langshaw property acquired. The building was then renovated for the purpose of housing the Jewish Community Center. The formal dedication of the Center was held on March 23, 1947, during which, a commemorative plaque was presented by Rabbi Gordon on behalf of the Jewish Welfare Board. The new building housed classrooms for the Synagogue’s Hebrew and Sunday Schools, Boy and Girl Scout troops, the Sisterhood Library, Synagogue offices, as well as various meeting rooms, lounges, and a music room. The rooms could be used by all members for informal gatherings or organized activities. The purpose of the Center and this new building was not to overshadow any of the existing Jewish institutions. Rather, its goal was one of supplementation and enrichment of such institutions. The purpose of the Jewish Community Center, as stated in its constitution, was to foster Jewish cultural and spiritual values as well as to organize and support programs that would enrich and guide all aspects of Jewish life. Their many activities for men, women, and children included social and literary education, music, art, drama, recreation and athletics. A strong emphasis was placed on community and American democracy, as well as the traditions of Jewish culture. After 25 years at 388 County Street, it was voted on January 4, 1972 by the Board of Directors to sell the Community Center building to the Swain School of New Bedford. It ceased operation in that building on August 11, 1972, and began occupancy on September 5, 1972 of facilities rented from Tifereth Israel Synagogue, in the Bernard H. Ziskind School of Judaism, located at 467 Hawthorn St., North Dartmouth (behind the Synagogue). The new building provided a more convenient location for the majority of the Center’s members. However, declining membership prompted the Board of Directors to vote on May 29, 1973 to suspend the operation of the Jewish Community Center as of September 1, 1973. Annual meetings would continue to be held with the purpose of gradually phasing out the operations of the Center and to facilitate the revival of the Center should the Jewish community choose to do so in the future.