A History of the Massillon Jewish Community
By Austin Reid
Leaders of the Massillon Jewish Sisterhood in 1947.
Pictured from top to bottom and left to right are Fanny Green,
Florence Feinman, Bernice Westman, and Sara Bloomberg.
Photo Courtesy of The Evening Independent, October 1, 1947.
Introduction: Massillon’s First Jewish Residents
Faith communities have played an important role in Massillon since its founding in 1826. One particularly notable group in early Massillon was the Quakers. Other Christian denominations, including Catholics, also organized congregations in the growing village by 1845. By 1850, there is evidence that another faith, Judaism, was represented among the town’s residents. While always numbering among Massillon’s smallest religious communities, Jews have made a significant contribution to the city’s civic, cultural, and economic development. This work will seek to profile this community, its members, and their impact on Massillon. Marx Joseph, an immigrant from Bavaria, was the first Jew known to have lived in Massillon. He arrived in the United States in 1842 and soon settled in Massillon for a time.[1] He later left Massillon for Uniontown before ultimately settling in Cleveland in 1867.[2] Another early Jewish resident of Massillon was Samuel Oppenheimer. Samuel made a living operating a clothing store in the city by 1865. At least two relatives, Joseph and Julius Oppenheimer, also settled in Massillon shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War. Like Samuel, Joseph and Julius worked in clothing retail. By 1870, Julius relocated to Lafayette, Indiana. Joseph, however, remained in Massillon until at least the late 1890s. In 1872, he opened a clothing store near the Bucher Opera House. Fifteen years later, Joseph was associated with the Star Clothing House at 20 S Erie Street. This store was also known as Oppenheimer’s by locals. Joseph’s wife, Flora, was the daughter of a prominent rabbi in Pittsburgh named Louis Naumberg. Flora and Joseph were wed in 1876.[3] By the late 1880s Herman and Isaac Marks, who were likely brothers, were in business together in Massillon. In 1888, Isaac married Ida Cohen of Cleveland.[4]
All of Massillon’s early Jewish residents were first or second-generation Americans with ties to German-speaking Jewish communities in Central Europe. By the early 1880s, however, there is some evidence that Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe were beginning to pass through the city. These immigrants and their descendants would play the largest role in the creation of organized Jewish life in Massillon during the twentieth century. One letter published in The American Israelite, a newspaper out of Cincinnati, on August 25, 1882, by Samuel Katzenstein, a resident of Alliance, Ohio, remarks, “a number of Russian refugees were sent from Pittsburgh, Pa., to our neighbouring town of Massillon, O. in search of employment.” [5] At the time, thousands of Jews were immigrating to the United States from the Russian Empire to escape religious persecution. In total, between 1880 and 1924 over two million Jews would immigrate to the United States from Eastern Europe. It is now known, however, if any of the individuals referred to in the 1882 letter remained in Massillon.
Henry, Katherine, Louis, and Rudie Bloomberg, the first Eastern European Jews known to have lived in Massillon, did not arrive until around 1896. Henry and Louis, who were immigrants from Poland, opened a clothing store known as Bloomberg Brothers along Main Ave W by 1896.[6] This store specialized in selling children’s and men’s clothing along with shoes. In 1901, Louis relocated to Orrville with his wife, Katherine, to operate a branch of the Bloomberg store in the town. One year later, however, Louis left the business and the Orrville branch store closed.[7] Henry and Rudie Bloomberg lived in Massillon until 1933. The Bloomberg store, which was known after Louis’ departure as the H. A. Bloomberg Company, remained in business until 1932. By this time, the business was located at 125 Lincoln Way W. Henry was known in Massillon for the discrete ways in which he worked to support those in need. For example, he had a tradition of anonymously putting together Christmas baskets for poor children.
Only after his death did the maker of the baskets become known.[8]
By 1905, several other Jews, including Harry and Jennie Rosenberg, Harry Stein, Julius and Rebecca Stone, and David Sugerman, all relocated to Massillon. Harry and Jennie arrived in 1901 or 1904 and raised five children in the city. One child, Ted Rosenberg, had a notable football career at Washington High School. He played the role of quarterback and later attended Grove City College in Pennsylvania on a football scholarship.[9] After graduation, Ted remained in Pennsylvania to work in state government. At one time, he served as the state’s auditor general.[10] Harry supported his family by working as a cobbler.[11] His first business, which went bankrupt in 1914, was located at 118 Lincoln Way E. Later he moved to 26 S Erie Street before locating at 13 Lincoln Way E. Harry was also active in the Massillon community as a member of the Eagles.
Harry Stein, who lived in Lima, Ohio, before coming to Massillon in 1903, operated the National Wine Company at 26 S Erie Street. The business was short-lived, however, closing in 1906 after Harry’s death. Julius and Rebecca Stone, like the Rosenbergs, were immigrants from Poland. The couple arrived in Massillon by 1902. During his first year in Massillon, Julius worked as a clerk with the National Wine Company. Around 1904, he opened his own saloon, known as the Kentucky Liquor Company at 83 Main Ave W. By 1908, Julius and a business partner, William Limback had joined together and their saloon, located at 26 S Erie Street, was known as Limback & Stone. Eight years later, in 1916, Julius founded the Stone Malt Company. This business, which was later renamed Stone’s Grill, would remain in operation until at least 1959. For many years the bar and restaurant was located at 209 Lincoln Way W. Julius and Rebecca raised six children in Massillon. As adults, all would eventually leave Massillon. David Sugerman, the final individual listed above, lived in Massillon by 1903. His daughter, Sarah married Max Silk in 1903. Before his marriage, Max operated a boot and shoe store at 19 S Erie Street. This business, however, went bankrupt in 1902.[12]
Smaller towns near Massillon were also home to Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe by 1905. Ida and Samuel Persky, who were born in Russia, lived northwest of Massillon in Canal Fulton by 1898. Samuel supported his family by operating a general store. He was also active in the town’s civic life. For example, in 1902 Samuel served as a constable. His son, Jack Persky, rose to higher political office, serving in the Ohio Senate from 1947 to 1948. Fifteen miles to the west of Massillon, in the town of Orrville, A Hungarian immigrant named Joseph Perilstein, resided by 1905. He created a dry goods company that would remain in business until 1977. After Joseph died in 1952, his nephew, Henry took over the operation of Joseph Perilstein and Company. Both Joseph and Henry were active members of the Orrville community. Joseph was involved in local efforts to assist the poor. After his death, he bequeathed money to nine local churches and Temple Israel in Canton to benefit those in need.[13] Henry was a charter member of the Orrville Chamber of Commerce and served on the Wayne County Board of Education.[14] In 1972, Henry’s record of community service was recognized when he received the Citizen of the Year award from the Orrville Chamber of Commerce.[15] Around 1950, Henry was joined in the business by Carl Goldring. Carl had around this time married, Esther, the daughter of Henry and Lillie. Both Carl and Esther were also active in Orrville. Carl was involved with the local Board of Education, Chamber of Commerce, and United Fund, later known as United Way. Esther volunteered with the Dunlap Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Both husband and wife were also members of the Knesseth Israel Temple in Wooster, 25 miles west of Massillon.
The Creation of B’nai Abraham
Returning to Massillon, by 1906 notices could be found in the local Evening Independent newspaper indicating that some local businesses closed to observe certain Jewish holidays, particularly Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, and Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement. Most Jews in Massillon at the time traveled to Temple Israel in Canton for religious services. Within five years, however, a local option for Jewish worship existed. This nascent Orthodox community called itself B’nai Abraham or Sons of Abraham. B’nai Abraham’s services were organized by the congregation’s members weekly on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. One early space rented by the group was a room above the Union National Bank on S Erie Street.[16] Many of the congregation’s members were recent arrivals in Massillon. For example, Joseph Hock, the community’s religious leader, moved to Massillon shortly before 1910.[17] He made a living operating a clothing and tailoring store that was originally located on Main Ave W. Other individuals who were active in the congregation included Bertha and Harry Baskin, Henry and Rudie Bloomberg, Harry and Jennie Rosenberg, Harry and Rebecca Seigel, Conan Shaffet, and Julius and Rebecca Stone.
While some of these individuals have been mentioned previously, others are new. Bertha and Harry arrived in Massillon by 1910.[18] Harry supported his family by operating the Baskin Department Store along Main Ave. This store sold clothing and shoes and remained in operation until 1916.[19] For a time, Harry was joined in business by a relative named Ben Baskin. Harry and Rebecca Seigel, who were both immigrants from Russia, lived in Massillon by 1911. Harry initially found work with the Star Clothing House. Later, around 1917, he opened the Massillon Home Furnishing Company, which was initially located along 1st St NW. Arthur Seigel, the son of Harry and Rebecca, later opened Seigel Hardware and Auto Supplies along S Erie Street in 1922.[20] Conan Shaffet, the last new name among the list of B’nai Abraham’s early members was not an entrepreneur but rather a teacher. He lived in Massillon by 1911 but appears to have left the city soon after.
Women were active in supporting Massillon’s newly-formed Jewish congregation. Organizing themselves under the name Daughters of Zion, the members of the women’s group worked to create a Sunday school for children and to raise funds to support various charitable causes. Adeline Bloomberg, the daughter of Henry and Rudie, and Conan Shaffet were early teachers at the Sunday school.[21] Five years later, during World War I, Massillon’s Jewish community organized fundraising efforts to support refugees in Europe. At this time, the community was estimated to number 14 families.[22] The Jewish Independent, a newspaper out of Cleveland, also described the community’s members as being young in their overall age.[23] The local Evening Independent also covered the community’s fundraising efforts.[24] On April 6, 1917, the United States entered World War I. At least three local Jews served during their war. Their names are Ben Baskin, Warner Bloomberg, and Jack Persky. Warner was wounded during the war while serving with the American Expeditionary Forces in France. Later in life, Warner served as the state commander for Jewish War Veterans and he played a key role in the creation of the American Legion Post 221 building at 427 Lincoln Way East.[25] At the time Warner was commander of the local Massillon post.
By 1919, B’nai Abraham had relocated to a rented space at 407 Main Ave W. This same year, the American Jewish Yearbook, an annual work produced by the Jewish Publication Society out of Philadelphia, estimated that Massillon’s Jewish population numbered 138 individuals.[26] Included among the town’s newer Jewish residents were Fanny and Julius Bloomfield, Miriam and Samuel Dreyer, Esther and Harry Feinman, Maurice Neiman, Gussie and Morris Rosker, Barney and Stella Schwartz, and Myer Schwartz. Fanny and Julius Bloomfield, who were both natives of Romania, arrived in Massillon in 1914 after living in Canton. Julius opened a new furniture store, the Bloomfield Furniture Company, along Lincoln Way W this same year. Miriam and Samuel Dreyer, who were married in 1915, moved to Massillon around 1917 after Samuel took a position with the Bloomberg Company. Esther and Harry Feinman arrived in Massillon in 1916. Shortly after their move, Harry opened a new women’s clothing and fur store known as The Style Center at 166 Lincoln Way W.[27]
It should be noted that the prominence of Jews in Massillon’s clothing retail sector was part of a larger national pattern. Due to technological advances in sewing and textile manufacturing, clothing retail expanded rapidly in the United States during the mid to late 1800s. This development coincided with the arrival of almost three million Jewish immigrants between 1820 and 1924. Faced with limited job prospects, many first and second-generation Jewish Americans found work in the clothing and textile trades. Barney and Myer Schwartz, who were brothers, also moved to Massillon to open a clothing store. This business, Schwartz Department Store, was located along Main Ave by 1918. In 1922, the shop changed its name to the Superior Clothing Company. One year later, however, the store closed. Other contemporary clothing stores in Massillon included The Workingman’s Store at 300 S Erie Street, which was operated by Solomon Cohen, and the Jack Cohn Company on Main Ave W, which sold women’s clothing.[28] Solomon Cohen was an immigrant from Romania while Jack Cohn was born in Russia.[29] Another clothing business, Linde’s Women’s Wearing Apparel Store, was founded by Albert Linde in 1914.[30] A successor of this store, Linde’s Bridal and Prom continues to exist in Massillon 109 years later in 2023. Maurice Neiman and Morris Rosker, however, are individuals listed above who were not clothiers. Maurice, a resident of Massillon by 1918, supported his household as a jeweler.[31] Morris, who lived in Massillon by 1914, operated the Rosker Auto Wrecking Company along S Erie Street.[32] This company was later renamed Rosker Auto Parts. Moving into the later twentieth century, members of the local Jewish community began to engage in more varied professions.
Jewish Life in Massillon During the Roaring 20s, Great Depression, and World War II
In 1920, the Massillon City Directory listed a “Jewish Church” among the city’s religious congregations. The community was recorded as meeting at 5 ½ S Erie Street. Significantly, this was the first year the city’s Jewish congregation was included in the directory, possibly indicating a greater level of visibility and size. By 1925, the congregation’s proper name, B’nai Abraham was being printed in the directory, along with a note that services were held each Friday at 100 Main Ave W. Within five years, the congregation moved to 30 Charles Avenue SE. Here the community remained until at least 1938. During the 1920s and 1930s, Massillon’s Jewish population continued to grow. New residents who arrived between 1920 and 1930 included David Adelman, Edward Adelman, Harry Alpiner, Helen and Isadore Cohen, Fred and Leah Cooper, Helen and Jacob Friedland, Ida and Joseph Goldenfeld, Max and Sara Kanner, and Fannie and Harry Krell.
David and Edward Adelman, who were brothers, arrived in Massillon by 1927. David, a trained osteopath,
practiced medicine in Massillon. From 1941 until his death in 1947, he was an athletic trainer at Washington High School.[33] Edward worked with the Perry Rubber Company until his death in 1965.[34] At the time he served as vice president for sales and advertising.[35] David and Edward moved to Massillon after marrying members of the Rosenberg family. Betty Adelman, the wife of David, was the daughter of Harry and Jennie Rosenberg. For over thirty years Betty operated a dance studio.[36] Sylvia Adelman, the wife of Edward, was Betty’s sister.[37] Harry Alpiner, a native of Russia, moved to Massillon around 1921 and worked with the McKenzie Riz Manufacturing Corporation.[38] Harry’s wife Evelyn was the daughter of Fanny and Julius Bloomfield.[39] Helen and Isadore Cohen lived in Massillon by 1922. Isadore, who was the brother of Solomon Cohen, was involved in the clothing business. Fred and Leah Cooper moved to Massillon from Gary, Indiana around 1926. While Fred practiced law in Gary, after moving to Massillon he began to work in clothing retail. His first store was located at the corner of 4th Street and McKinley Avenue SW.[40] Later Fred’s business moved to Erie Street. Helen and Jacob Friedland arrived in Massillon around 1925. Jacob operated The People’s Store at 33 Lincoln Way W for over 30 years.[41]
Ida and Joseph Goldenfeld, who were immigrants from Romania, arrived in Massillon around 1926. Initially, Joseph was engaged in business at The Workingman’s Store, which he may have purchased from Solomon Cohen. Later, in 1947, he opened a new store, Joseph Goldenfeld & Company
at 169 Lincoln Way W. Also, known as Goldenfeld’s, the store remained a fixture in Massillon until 1974, when the business was renamed Richie’s. Max and Sara Kanner moved to Massillon in 1924 or 1926. Once settled, Max became associated with the Kanner and Berger Department Store. Manuel Berger, Max’s business partner, was an immigrant from Hungary.[42] Originally the business was located at 121 Lincoln Way W. In 1938, however, the store moved to 32 Lincoln Way E. Manuel Berger eventually left the partnership to open a separate store, Madelyn’s Dress Shop, which was named after his daughter. While Max Kanner retired in 1955, Kanner’s remained in business and expanded to include two other locations, before closing in 1975.[43] Fannie and Harry Krell arrived in Massillon around 1928. Fannie organized a private nursery and kindergarten for 28 years.[44] For a period during the 1940s, the school also included a first-grade class. Harry Krell worked with the Massillon Home Furnishing Company, which he and a business partner, Joseph Sarbin purchased from Harry Seigel.[45] Joseph was a relative of Fannie’s, and he remained in business with Harry until 1940.[46]
By 1933, B’nai Abraham began to be known around Massillon as the Jewish Community Center or Massillon Jewish Center. Officiants for the congregation’s religious services were either local lay leaders or visiting rabbis brought from other locations, particularly Cleveland.[47] By 1941, the Center had relocated to a rented space along Lincoln Way W.[48] During the 1930s, Massillon’s Jewish population numbered approximately 128 individuals.[49] Not all Jews living in Massillon, however, maintained an active connection to the Jewish community. One example is Joseph Bernstein. Joseph arrived in Massillon by 1903 and found work with the Massillon Independent newspaper. In 1904, he married a Christian woman, Jessie McClellan.[50] While it is not known if Joseph formally joined his wife’s church, it is recorded that their son, Theodore was brought up Presbyterian.[51] Joseph was active in supporting the local Jewish community’s efforts to assist refugees during World War I and supported some national Jewish charities. Later in his life, however, there are no records of continued involvement with any Jewish organizations. Joseph was involved in organizing an interfaith group to bring together local Christians and Jews in 1938.[52] Other leaders in the effort included Manual Berger, Julius Bloomfield, and Harry Krell.[53] The Bernstein family is also remembered for their association with The Toy, a children’s store at 212 N Erie Street.[54] Theodore Bernstein was also active with the local Urban League and served on the board of the Massillon Museum.[55]
Between 1930 and 1940 several new Jewish families arrived in Massillon. This group includes Blanche and Jacob Berson, Harold and Velma Drost, Harry Freedman, Lena and Nathan Genshaft, Herman and Leah Gordon, David and Fanny Green, Evelyn and William Jacobs, Louis Shinbaum, and Leonard Steinberg. Blanche and Jacob Berson arrived in Massillon around 1931. Jacob supported his household by working as a cobbler along 1st Street NE. By 1937, Irving and Samuel Berson, two sons of the couple, worked at the Massillon Junk and Glass Company. Harold and Velma Drost lived in Massillon by 1940 and both were associated with the Pitcher Bar at 58 S Erie Street. Harry Freedman arrived in Massillon shortly after his marriage to Fannie Rosker in 1939.[56] Once settled, Harry began to work at Rosker Auto Parts. Lena and Nathan Genshaft, who lived in Canton for much of their lives, merit note in this history because the business founded by Nathan in 1933, Superior Provision Company, grew to become Massillon’s second-largest employer by 1976.[57] Known as Superior’s Brand Meats Incorporated after 1965, the company’s 50,000-square-foot processing plant at 1888 Southway Street SE was among Ohio’s largest facilities dedicated to meat processing. Arthur and David Genshaft, who were brothers and the sons of Lena and Nathan, were also involved in the leadership of the company. Arthur served as president of the business starting in 1957 and David worked as vice president starting in the same year. Arthur and David were also active in the Massillon community. Arthur was active on the Massillon Industrial Development Foundation board of directors and served the organization as president for a time. He was also involved with the Massillon Chamber of Commerce and Shaaray Torah Synagogue in Canton.[58] David was active with the local United Fund and in 1968 he was recognized as “Man of the Year” in Massillon for his philanthropic work.[59] He also served on the advisory board of Kent State University 33 miles to the north of Massillon. Nathan, Lena, Arthur, and David were all immigrants from Belarus.
Like the Genshafts, Herman Gordon was an immigrant. His wife, Leah, however, was a native of Texas. The Gordons lived in Massillon by 1930, and Herman was associated with a grocery store, Gordon and Jolovitz. This business was located at the corner of 6th Street SW and Webb Avenue SW. By 1941, the grocery was known as Republic Master Market and it was located at 835 S Erie Street. The Green and Jacobs families were also associated with the grocery business. David Green, a native of Czechoslovakia, moved to Massillon from Canton in 1930 with his wife, Fanny and children to take a job at Gordon and Jolovitz.[60] Four years later, David opened his own grocery store, National Market, located along Lincoln Way W. In 1938, the business moved to 104 Tremont Avenue SW where it remained in operation for over 30 years. Evelyn and William Jacobs managed the Highway Market at 3620 Lincoln Way E beginning in 1938. After William was killed in a crash in 1954, Evelyn continued to operate the business alone.[61] 
The store closed around 1964. Louis Shinbaum moved to Massillon shortly after marrying Sylvia Segel, the daughter of Lillian and Samuel Segel in 1936. Lillian and Samuel had arrived in Massillon about 13 years earlier. Around 1923, Samuel founded a women’s clothing store, Segel’s Women’s Ready-to-Wear. This business was originally located at 49 Lincoln Way E.[62] Louis and Sylvia worked at Segel’s, which remained in business until at least 1963.[63] Twenty people were employed at the store during this year.[64] Leonard Steinberg arrived in Massillon around 1936. He was married to Lillian, the daughter of Esther and Harry Feinman. Initially, Leonard worked with the Stark Dry Goods Company, but he later took a position with The Style Center, which was founded by Harry Feinman.
On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Empire of Japan. Soon millions of Americans were called upon to enter the armed forces. Local families, both Jewish and non-Jewish, in Massillon supported the war effort. Included among the locals who enlisted were at least nine Jews. Their names were Lawrence Berger, Benjamin Berson, Samuel Berson, Louis Feinman, Samuel Feinman, Ernest Goldenfeld, Albert Kanner, Leonard Krell, and Stanford Linde. Samuel Berson, who was wounded while in the service, was awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge.[65] On the homefront, efforts were also made by the Jewish community to support the war effort and those impacted by the conflict. Women took a leading role in these activities by organizing themselves under the name Massillon Jewish Sisterhood.[66] This group, which existed by 1945, was a successor to the defunct Daughters of Zion, which was formed in the 1910s. Sisterhood members met monthly in private homes and worked to support the Red Cross and the Massillon City Hospital.[67] Members also raised funds through activities such as baking and rummage sales to bring orphaned Jewish children from Europe to Israel.[68] Around 30 women participated in the Sisterhood during its first years.[69] The organization continued to exist into at least the mid-1950s.
The Closing Years of B’nai Abraham
During the years immediately following the end of World War II, Massillon’s Jewish community came to occupy a prominent place among the city’s religious communities. For example, the activities of the Massillon Jewish Sisterhood, which numbered 23 members in 1949, were frequently covered in the local Evening Independent.[70] In 1951, the organization joined the local Council of Church Women.[71] Charitable organizations that benefited from the Sisterhood’s support included March of Dimes, the Massillon Community Chest, and the Massillon Educational Loan Foundation. The organization also organized clothing drives for local families and collected clothing and school supplies for children in Israel.[72] Funds were also raised by the local Jewish community to support the national United Jewish Appeal.[73] Social activities included an annual Hanukkah party.[74] Newer members of the Jewish community included Anna and Reuben Cohen, Gertrude and H. Leonard Fisher, Hilda and Max Guggenheimer, Alvin and Faye Kail, Herbert Preis, David and Sybil Weinstein, and Bernice and Nathan Westman. Anna and Reuben moved to Massillon in 1948 after Reuben took a position with the Robert Allen Store at 121 Lincoln Way W. Gertrude and H. Leonard Fisher lived in Massillon by 1943. Leonard operated Madelyn’s Budget Shop at 112 Lincoln Way E until his death in 1955.[75] Hilda and Max Guggenheimer, who arrived in Massillon by 1940, were associated with the Economy Shoe Store along Lincoln Way W. In 1947, Max died and Hilda remarried another immigrant from Germany, Harry Salberg.[76]
Alvin and Faye Kail, the next couple listed above, lived in Massillon by 1945. Alvin worked with the business, Massillon Auto Parts, which was located at 1928 Lincoln Way E. Until 1950, he was joined in the store’s operation by Milton Stern. By 1955, Alvin also owned Stark Sports Cars Incorporated. Herbert Preis lived in Massillon by 1952. He worked as a manager at Neisner Brothers along Lincoln Way E., which was part of a chain of stores. David and Sybil Weinstein lived in Massillon by 1945. Like Herbert Preis, David also worked at the Neisner Brothers store until 1951 when he was transferred by the company to Camden, New Jersey.[77] Bernice and Nathan Westman, the final couple listed above, moved to Massillon around 1941. Bernice was an active member of the Massillon community volunteering with the Jewish Sisterhood, the Massillon City Hospital Auxiliary, the Massillon Educational Loan Foundation, and the Red Cross.[78] Nathan, or Nat as he was popularly known, worked at Rodger’s Jewelry. In 1963, Rodger’s was sold to Steve Furiga, and its name changed to Stephan’s Jewelry.[79]
During the early 1950s, the Massillon Jewish Sisterhood organized several fundraisers to benefit the Massillon City Hospital. In 1952, the group furnished a double room in the maternity ward.[80] Two years later, an incubator unit was donated.[81] Members also continued to support international causes. For example, in 1953 funds were raised to support disaster relief efforts in western Greece, which had been struck by an earthquake.[82] Despite the Sisterhood’s robust record of activity during the early 1950s, the growing ease of travel between Massillon and Canton, located seven miles to the east, meant that families increasingly chose to affiliate themselves with larger Jewish congregations in Canton rather than maintain Massillon’s local congregation, which had never been especially large. Shaaray Torah, a Conservative synagogue, and Temple Israel, a Reform congregation, were two popular congregations for Jewish families in Massillon to attend. In 1965, when the local Evening Independent ran a story highlighting Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, no reference was made to B’nai Abraham or any other Jewish congregation in Massillon.[83] This likely means that B’nai Abraham closed sometime between 1956 and 1965.
While B’nai Abraham ceased to exist by the mid-1960s, Jews have continued to live in Massillon. Since 1960, there have also been other notable Jewish entrepreneurs in Massillon, including Bernard Green, the son of David and Fanny Green, who operated Bernie’s Food Market along Tremont Avenue SW into the 1970s. Bernie’s Food Market was a successor to the National Market. Bernard, who was known as Bernie, was also active in forming the Massillon Office Building Incorporation. While never numbering more than 140 people, the Jewish community of Massillon has made a notable contribution to the city’s civic, cultural, and economic development. Examples of these contributions that can be seen as of 2023 include the Arthur Genshaft Memorial Park along Erie Street S and Nave Rd SE and the Albert Kanner Scholarship Fund, which benefits graduates of Washington High School. This community’s history merits preservation among the stories of larger communities in Massillon.
Footnotes
[1] Obituary of Marx Joseph, Jewish Review (Cleveland), July 15, 1898.
[2] Ibid.
[3] American Israelite (Cincinnati), p 6, September 08, 1876
.[4] “Cleveland,” American Israelite, June 22, 1888.
[5] Samuel Katzenstein, letter to the editor, American Israelite, August 25, 1882.
[6] “Change in Firm,” Evening Independent, October 03, 1902.
[7] Ibid.
[8] “Always a Massillon Booster,” Evening Independent, November 29, 1963.
[9] “Grove City will Honor Rosenberg,” Evening Independent, October 04, 1976.
[10] Ibid.
[11] “53 Years as A Shoe Repairman,” Evening Independent, February 05, 1940.
[12] “Shoe Stock Sold,” Massillon Independent, September 01, 1902.
[13] “$10,000 for 10 Churches,” Evening Independent, September 30, 1952.
[14] “Perilstein, Orrville Store Owner, Dies,” Evening Independent, May 21, 1976.
[15] Ibid.
[16] “Local Jews Celebrate New Year,” Evening Independent, September 12, 1912.
[17] “Local Jews to Observe Passover,” Evening Independent, March 26, 1912.
[18] “To New York for Shoes,” Evening Independent, August 01, 1910.
[19] “Local Business Man Bankrupt,” Evening Independent, November 17, 1916.
[20] “New Auto Store Opened Here Today,” Evening Independent, April 22, 1922.
[21] “Jewish Affairs in Massillon,” Jewish Review and Observer (Cleveland), November 10, 1911.
[22] “Relief Day in Massillon,” Jewish Independent (Cleveland), February 04, 1916.
[23] Ibid.
[24] “$214 Gift Starts Campaign for Aid of European Jews,” Evening Independent, January 25, 1916.
[25] “Always a Massillon Booster,” Evening Independent, November 29, 1963.
[26] American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 21, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1919: 532, https://ajcarchives.org/ajcarchive/DigitalArchive.aspx.
[27] Obituary of Harry Feinman, Evening Independent, June 21, 1958.
[28] Obituary of Solomon L. Cohen, Evening Independent, July 26, 1933.
[29] Obituary of Jack Cohn, Evening Independent, May 01, 1941.
[30] “Linde’s Celebrates 60th Anniversary,” Evening Independent, July 30, 1974.
[31] Obituary of Maurice I. Neiman, Evening Independent, July 18, 1960.
[32] Obituary of Morris Rosker, Evening Independent, December 14, 1942.
[33] Obituary of Dr. David S. Adelman, Evening Independent, January 13, 1947.
[34] “E. A. Adelman Dies; Perry Rubber Official,” Evening Independent, December 16, 1965.
[35] Ibid.
[36] “Dance Studio Closes Doors,” Massillon News, May 18, 1977.
[37] Obituary of Mrs. Sylvia Adelman, Evening Independent, October 18, 1976.
[38] Obituary of Harry Alpiner, Evening Independent, March 01, 1971.
[39] Obituary of Mrs. Evelyn Alpiner, Evening Independent, November 08, 1976.
[40] Obituary of Fred Cooper, Evening Independent, March 06, 1951.
[41] Obituary of Jacob S. Friedland, Evening Independent, June 20, 1956.
[42] Obituary of Manuel Berger, Evening Independent, March 15, 1947.
[43] “Kanner’s Going Out of Business,” Evening Independent, September 29, 1975.
[44] Obituary of Mrs. Fannie S. Krell, Evening Independent, February 17, 1961.
[45] Obituary of Harry B. Krell, Evening Independent, November 15, 1950.
[46] Obituary of Joseph I. Sarbin, Evening Independent, October 04, 1965.
[47] “Yom Kippur is Observed Here,” Evening Independent, September 18, 1934.
[48] “Jews to Observe New Year Sunday,” Evening Independent, September 19, 1941.
[49] American Jewish Yearbook Vol. 31, Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1929: 227, https://ajcarchives.org/ajcarchive/DigitalArchive.aspx.
[50] Obituary of Mrs. Jessie F. Bernstein, Evening Independent, July 07, 1953.
[51] Steve Hapanowicz, “Our Fellow Massillonians,” Evening Independent, October 16, 1957.
[52] “Christians and Jews Meet Here,” Evening Independent, April 29, 1938.
[53] Ibid.
[54] Steve Hapanowicz, “Our Fellow Massillonians,” Evening Independent, October 16, 1957.
[55] Ibid.
[56] “Miss Frances Rosker Married in Cleveland Ceremony,” Evening Independent, March 20, 1939.
[57] “Superior’s Plans $2 Million Addition,” Evening Independent, June 22, 1977.
[58] Synagogue to Honor Genshafts with Outstanding Service Awards,” Evening Independent, June 04, 1971.
[59] “Synagogue to Honor Genshafts with Outstanding Service Awards,” Evening Independent, June 04, 1971.
[60] Bernard Green, interview by Mandy Altimus Stahl, video, 2013.
[61] “William Jacobs, 57, is Killed in Truck Crash,” Evening Independent, March 17, 1954.
[62] Obituary Samuel M. Segel, Evening Independent, October 31, 1940.
[63] “Local Store Observes 40th Anniversary,” Evening Independent, October 24, 1963.
[64] Ibid.
[65] “Three Soldiers Awarded Badges,” Evening Independent, March 28, 1944.
[66] “Sisterhood of Massillon Jewish Center,” Evening Independent, May 14, 1945.
[67] “Sisterhood to Meet Tonight,” Evening Independent, March 20, 1945.
[68] Ibid.
[69] “Sisterhood Inaugurates Year’s Civic Philanthropic Program at Dinner Meeting,” Evening Independent, October 01, 1947.
[70] “Projects of Mercy Planned by Sisterhood,” Evening Independent, November 22, 1949.
[71] “Sisterhood to Join Church Council,” Evening Independent, March 26, 1951.
[72] “Entertains Sisterhood,” Evening Independent, February 25, 1948.
[73] “Sisterhood Engaged in Fund Raising Project,” Evening Independent, March 30, 1949.
[74] “Sisterhood Marks Feast of Lights,” Evening Independent, December 20, 1949.
[75] “Rules Death was Caused by Monoxide Gas,” Evening Independent, June 06, 1955.
[76] Obituary of Max Guggenheimer, Evening Independent, July 03, 1947.
[77] “Dinner for Mrs. Weinstein,” Evening Independent, February 09, 1951.
[78] Obituary of Mrs. Nat Westman, Evening Independent, March 21, 1963.
[79] “Steve Furiga Buys Local Jewelry Store,” Evening Independent, May 01, 1963.
[80] “Jewish Sisterhood Aids Hospital,” Evening Independent, April 29, 1952.
[81] “Sisterhood Gives Hospital Incubator Unit,” Evening Independent, March 31, 1954.
[82] “Sisterhood is Working for Bazar,” Evening Independent, September 30, 1953.
[83] “Area Jews to Observe Faith’s Holiest Days,” Evening Independent, October 05, 1965.