A History of Lancaster, Ohio’s Jewish Community

Early Jewish Presence in Lancaster
Establishing Roots: Early Jewish Families and Economic Life
Expansion and Community Life: 1900–1926
A Permanent Home: The Purchase of the Emanuel Lutheran Church
Neighboring Jewish Communities: Lancaster’s Regional Network
The Dedication of Congregation B’nai Israel
A Time of Transition: Lancaster’s Jewish Community in the 1930s
War and Prosperity: Jewish life in the 1940s and Early 1950s
Signs of Decline: Lancaster’s Jewish Community, 1955–1970
The Disappearance of Lancaster’s Satellite Communities
The Closing Years: Lancaster’s Jewish Community, 1970–1993

Early Jewish Presence in Lancaster

Lancaster, Ohio, was established in 1800 by Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, settlers. By 1805, the settlement had shortened its name from “New Lancaster” to Lancaster, and the opening of the Lancaster Lateral Canal in 1834 spurred rapid growth. Over the following decades, Lancaster became home to diverse immigrant and religious communities, including Irish Catholics, English Episcopalians, and Presbyterian Scots. Among these groups were Ashkenazi Jews from German-speaking regions of Central Europe, who were later joined by Jews from Eastern Europe by the early 20th century.

The earliest known Jewish presence in Lancaster dates to the mid-19th century. On September 29, 1853, The Weekly Lancaster Gazette published an advertisement referencing a Jewish traveling peddler known as Frank:

Frank worked as an itinerant trader like many German-Jewish immigrants to the United States during this period. This profession allowed Jews to build livelihoods while connecting small towns to larger markets. By the late 1850s, other Jewish merchants had arrived in Lancaster, including Adolph Aaron, who sold clothing and jewelry on Main Street, and Isaac Levy, who operated a clothing store in the Shaeffer Block. Levy’s relative and business partner, Moses Levy—an immigrant from Alsace—settled in Lancaster in 1856 with his wife, Pauline, and raised seven children before relocating to St. Louis in 1878. Jacob Block, another early merchant, was associated with the Levy enterprise before leaving Lancaster in 1865.

The visibility of Jewish merchants in Lancaster’s business scene is underscored by the presence of anti-Semitic language in some local advertisements. A jewelry company, Gates & Cosper, promoted its goods as “an honest class of jewelry instead of a Jew article.” At the same time, a clothing store, Smith & Tong, assured customers that its stock was “not purchased from or manufactured by Jews.” These examples suggest that anti-Semitic attitudes existed, yet Jewish merchants competed successfully enough to provoke such statements.

Establishing Roots: Early Jewish Families and Economic Life

Although individual Jews lived in Lancaster as early as the 1850s, permanent settlement by families appears to have begun around the turn of the 20th century. Two of the earliest Jewish families in Lancaster were the Altfaters and the Molars.

David Altfater, originally from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, arrived in Lancaster with his wife, Lena, around 1900. By 1914, he had established a scrap metal business from his home on East Chestnut Street, later known as the Lancaster Iron and Metal Company. Lena’s brother, Jacob Moskowitz, had preceded the family to America, arriving with his wife, Rachel, around 1885. Once in Lancaster, Jacob operated a saloon called The Buffalo on Locust Street and appears in the 1900 U.S. Census living with the Altfaters.

In 1907, another Jewish family—the Molars—settled in Lancaster. Morris Molar and his wife, Rachel, relocated from Philadelphia with their eldest child, Hilda. Morris, likely born in the Russian Empire, established the Fairfield Junk Company (later Molar & Son) by 1913. Rachel was a native of Kiev. Their marriage occurred in the United States before the family’s move to Ohio.

Both families were part of the broader wave of more than two million Jews who immigrated to the United States between 1880 and 1924, primarily from Central and Eastern Europe. By 1920, the federal census recorded twenty adults in Lancaster whose mother language was Yiddish.

As in many small American towns, Lancaster’s early Jewish residents often built livelihoods in retail and trade. Grocers included Jacob Balas, who operated a store before relocating to Michigan during the 1930s; Isaac Bogroff; Jacob Mellman; and Morris Yablok, all connected to the Lancaster Fruit Company. Other grocers included Alex Schlesinger, who ran a store until the late 1930s, and Samuel Silver, a produce dealer in the Lancaster Market House.

Several Jews were involved in clothing retail. Kessel’s Fashion Shop, The Hub Clothing Company, and The Famous Men’s Store—owned by Leo Kessel, William Fine, and Al Wittekind, respectively—were among Lancaster’s best-known retail establishments. Other Jewish-owned businesses included the Hippodrome Theater, Rothbardt’s Dry Goods, The Syndicate (a dry goods store on Main Street), and Wannamaker’s tailor shop on North Broad Street.

One of Lancaster’s most enduring Jewish businesses was the Epstein Shoe Company. Founded in 1916 by brothers Clarence and Charles Epstein, the store began in the Smith Building at Columbus and Main Streets. Both brothers immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century—Clarence in 1905 and Charles in 1911. Their business temporarily closed during World War I while both men served in the armed forces. After reopening, Epstein’s Shoes grew into a local institution, recognized in its final years as the oldest retail store in Fairfield County. Charles later founded Arcade Shoes in Logan, Ohio, which operated for over fifty years. The Epstein family thus became one of the most prominent Jewish families in Lancaster and Logan.

Expansion and Community Life: 1900–1926

By the early 20th century, Lancaster’s Jewish population began to grow as families established roots and raised children. This period saw the development of community institutions and social organizations that would shape Jewish life for decades.

Among Lancaster’s early Jewish families, David and Lena Altfater raised four children—Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Ruth—each of whom contributed to community life. Jacob played in the local ‘Barracks Baseball’ program, while Ruth worked in a grocery store. The Molars likewise grew their family, welcoming Jacob in 1908 and later Noah, George, and Clara. Jacob Molar would become one of Lancaster’s longest-living Jewish residents and a key source for the community’s history through a 1996 interview with the Columbus Jewish Historical Society.

As the Jewish population grew, the need for religious education increased. A Jewish Sunday School was operating by 1917. Youth participated in cultural and social programs, including the Junior Council and the Lancaster Hebrew School. Archival issues of The Ohio Jewish Chronicle from 1922–1923 mention these organizations and their activities, such as holiday plays and social dances.

Women were central in shaping communal life through charitable and cultural organizations. Around 1920, local Jewish women founded the Jewish Sisterhood, which was later affiliated with the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). Lancaster’s group became the 210th section of the Council, officially recognized by the national office in 1922. With approximately 18 members, the Council engaged in sewing projects for the Jewish Infants Hospital of Ohio and hosted holiday activities for Jewish youth at the Boys Industrial School. Under its first president, Rose Rothbardt, the Council organized social gatherings such as euchre tournaments, picnics, and dances, often attracting participants from neighboring Jewish communities, including Columbus. Proceeds supported both charitable work and local Jewish development.

The United States’ entry into World War I in 1917 mobilized Lancaster’s Jews alongside their neighbors. At least eight local Jewish community members served: Leo Kessel, Clarence Epstein, Charles Epstein, Harry Kurchick, Jay Altfater, Earl Shenker, Harry Abram, and Solomon (Sol) Rising. Rising, a member of the 42nd Infantry Division, gained local recognition for bravery during the Battle of the Marne. A letter he wrote from the Western Front, published in The Lancaster Daily Eagle on October 18, 1918, described his effort to observe Rosh Hashanah while on duty:

“Dear sister, I would like to go to church during the New Year, but I can’t…you have to go to the trenches instead of going to church…pray for me and for all our allied soldiers for a victory and a safe return to our homes.”

On the home front, Lancaster Jews organized the Jewish Welfare Society, which collaborated with the American Red Cross and contributed to Liberty Loan drives and Community Chest campaigns. A contemporary local historian, Van A. Snider, described the group as “always willing to work” for the war effort.

A Permanent Home: The Purchase of the Emanuel Lutheran Church

By the early 1910s, Lancaster’s Jewish community had grown enough to sustain regular religious services. Initially, worship took place in rented spaces or private homes, including the Knights of Columbus Hall on West Main Street, Bininger Hall on South Columbus Street, and the Woodman and Laurel Lodge. This early religious association called itself Beth David—named both for the biblical King David and David Altfater, regarded as a leading figure in the community.

The earliest documented references to Beth David appear in local newspapers. In 1917, The Lancaster Daily Eagle reported on the congregation’s first annual picnic at Bismarck Park, and in 1922, it noted Beth David’s Hanukkah celebration. These events highlight a growing sense of communal identity, but by the mid-1920s, rented spaces were no longer adequate. Under the leadership of David Altfater, Jacob Moskowitz, and Morris Molar, the congregation began searching for a permanent house of worship.

In May 1926, an opportunity arose when the Emanuel Lutheran Church—known locally as the German Lutheran Church because of its use of the German language in religious services—decided to sell its building at 131 East Chestnut Street to relocate to a larger property. The Lutheran congregation offered the building for $11,000 (approximately $152,500 in 2017 dollars), and Lancaster’s Jews accepted.

The purchase of the Chestnut Street property reflected the growing strength and organization of the Jewish community. According to Beth David’s 1926 treasurer’s report, the congregation had 25 dues-paying members representing 21 families, with 24 more individuals contributing holiday donations.

Neighboring Jewish Communities: Lancaster’s Regional Network

Lancaster’s Jewish community was never entirely confined to the city itself. Records, including Beth David’s 1926 treasurer’s report, show that Jews living in nearby towns maintained strong connections to Lancaster, contributing financially and participating in religious life. These satellite communities helped sustain Lancaster’s Jewish institutions during their formative years.

One of the most notable families outside Lancaster was the Shenkers, who lived in Bremen, about ten miles east of the city, near New Lexington. Brothers Abraham and Louis Shenker immigrated to the United States from the Russian Empire around 1900 and became prominent in the oil well supply business. Louis eventually moved to Lancaster with his wife, Anna, and their children—Martin, Jeanette, and Emmanuel—while Abraham remained in Bremen. Abraham was a member of Bremen’s Masonic Temple and Elks Lodge. Other Jews in the region included Morris Cohen, a scrap metal dealer in New Lexington, and Harry Cowen of Logan.

Further afield, Jewish families in Chillicothe and Athens County maintained ties to Lancaster. Among them was Moses Steinberger, an immigrant from Poland residing in Chillicothe. The Neiman family of Nelsonville, about thirty miles southeast of Lancaster, also played an important role. Albert and Celia Neiman, Polish immigrants who arrived in the United States around 1914, operated a junk yard and raised four children: Sam, Lillian, Ruth, and David.

Other Athens County towns, including Glouster and Chauncey, sent families to Lancaster for major Jewish holidays. In Glouster, Benjamin Goldberg—an immigrant from Hungary—owned the village general store for over fifty years and was active in civic and Jewish organizations such as Kiwanis International, the Tifereth Israel Brotherhood in Columbus, and the Masons. He and his wife, Bertha, had two children, Daniel and Sharon. In Chauncey, the Wilson family represented another Jewish presence. Isaac Wilson, an immigrant from the Russian Empire, supported his family first as a peddler before opening a shop in town. He died unexpectedly in 1919 during surgery, leaving his wife, Sarah, to raise their six children. One son, Louis Wilson, was killed while serving in World War I.

These outlying families often traveled considerable distances to Lancaster for worship, contributing to Congregation Beth David’s life and sustainability during its early years.

The Dedication of Congregation B’nai Israel

On February 27, 1927, Lancaster’s Jewish community celebrated a significant milestone with the dedication of its first synagogue, Congregation B’nai Israel, located at 131 East Chestnut Street. The event drew an estimated 500 attendees, including Jewish leaders from Columbus’s largest congregations.

Among the notable guests were Rabbi Jacob Tarshish of Temple Israel (Reform), Rabbi Isaac Werne of Congregation Agudas Achim (Orthodox), and Rabbi Leopold Greenwald of Congregation Beth Jacob (Orthodox). Their presence reflected the significance of Lancaster’s achievement and the close ties between Fairfield County’s Jewish community and the established Jewish institutions of Columbus. News of the dedication was reported as far away as Cleveland.

The dedication also featured notable participation from Lancaster’s civic and religious leadership. Mayor Henry Alspach addressed the gathering, declaring that he “represented all the people, and would have the interest of all creeds of Lancaster at heart.” Reverend Benjamin Paist of First Presbyterian Church spoke about religious tolerance.

Three religious services were held throughout the day, and in the evening, the Lancaster Council of Jewish Women hosted a banquet for more than 250 guests.

Rabbi Samuel Shapiro, who had already served the Jewish community in Lancaster, became B’nai Israel’s first rabbi. In addition to his rabbinic duties, he served as a Hebrew school teacher and shochet (kosher butcher). At its founding, B’nai Israel counted approximately 25 member families. Eight men signed the Articles of Incorporation in 1926: Clarence Epstein, William Fine, Albert Long, Leo Kessel, Morris Molar, Louis Shenker, Abraham Snyder, and Morris Yabrove. The Articles also formalized a name change from Beth David to B’nai Israel for reasons that remain unclear. Morris Molar became the congregation’s first president, succeeding Jacob Balas of Beth David. Around this time, David Altfater, a key early leader, relocated to Logan and withdrew from synagogue leadership.

A Time of Transition: Lancaster’s Jewish Community in the 1930s

Lancaster’s industrial stability during the Great Depression—bolstered by companies such as the Goodman Shoe Factory and Anchor Hocking, a major glassware producer—helped shield the city from the era’s worst economic hardships. While some Jewish families left during this decade, including the Bogroffs, Balas, Schlesingers, and Yabroves, new arrivals such as the Levines, Weisenbergs, and Franklins kept the community’s size relatively stable.

In 1931, Rabbi Samuel Shapiro, B’nai Israel’s founding rabbi, departed after seven years to serve Congregation Ohev Sholom in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. At the time, The Lancaster Daily Eagle noted that Ohev Sholom had a larger membership than B’nai Israel, likely enabling it to offer a higher salary than the $125 per month (about $2,000 in 2017 dollars) Shapiro received in Lancaster.

By 1932, the congregation welcomed Rabbi Julius Baker, an immigrant from Jedwabne, Poland. Rabbi Baker would serve for 25 years, making him B’nai Israel’s longest-tenured rabbi. Dedicated to education, he ensured that Lancaster’s Jewish youth received instruction that, as The Ohio Jewish Chronicle reported, was “along the same lines as that received by youth of large communities.” He also continued to act as the congregation’s shochet. Known for his scholarship, Baker authored a collection of sermons titled Pri Yehudah and edited Sefer Yedwabne, a historical work about his hometown’s Jewish community before its destruction during the Holocaust.

Although his congregation was in Lancaster, Rabbi Baker maintained his residence in Columbus for most of his tenure. He held leadership roles there, including serving as president of Mizrachi, a religious Zionist organization. This arrangement reflected the continued strong ties between Lancaster and Columbus Jewry. Lancaster Jews actively participated in the Columbus chapters of Hadassah and B’nai B’rith. They contributed to statewide institutions such as the Jewish Orphan Asylum (Bellefaire JCB) and the Orthodox Old Home (Menorah Park). Much of this philanthropic work was organized through B’nai Israel and its Sisterhood, which succeeded the Lancaster Council of Jewish Women by the early 1930s. One of the Sisterhood’s most popular fundraising events was an annual dance that drew attendees across Central Ohio.

Religious and social milestones marked Jewish life in Lancaster during this era. The first wedding at B’nai Israel occurred on August 15, 1926, when Hilda Molar, eldest daughter of Morris and Rachel Molar, married Joseph Weinthraub of Cleveland. This event, the first held inside the new synagogue, was widely covered in the Lancaster Daily Eagle and attended by more than 100 out-of-town guests. The Molar family donated the gold and purple chuppah (wedding canopy) used at the ceremony for future brides. Like many women who married out-of-town grooms, Hilda relocated after her marriage—a pattern that would later contribute to the community’s decline.

Other notable weddings during the 1930s included Jeanette Shenker’s 1928 marriage to Harry Rubin of Columbus, which drew 500 guests, and Mary Bass’s 1931 wedding to Abe Weissman of Columbus.

Additional weddings reported in the local press included Katherine Silver and Al Dworkin (1934), Lillian Schlesinger and Robert Mellman (1934), and Rachel Bass and Jacob Cohen (1936). While many brides moved to larger cities after marriage, some, like Katherine Dworkin, remained in Lancaster, where she became president of the B’nai Israel Sisterhood and raised two children, Carole and Michael. Many Jewish residents, including members of the Bass and Silver families, worked for Anchor Hocking during this period. Jacob Bass rose through the company ranks to become an executive before retiring.

War and Prosperity: Jewish life in the 1940s and Early 1950s

Lancaster’s economy remained relatively stable during the Depression, mainly due to strong local industries such as Anchor Hocking, a major glassware producer. This stability allowed many Jewish-owned businesses to remain open even during the nation’s most difficult economic period. One sign of the community’s financial strength came in 1940 when Congregation B’nai Israel paid off its synagogue mortgage in full.

Rabbi Julius Baker urged congregants during Yom Kippur to eliminate the debt, and about 40 individuals—including former residents—contributed. The most significant gifts came from two prominent businessmen: Abraham Snyder, a Polish immigrant associated with the oil industry, and Sam Segal, an Estonian immigrant from Chillicothe who co-founded the Segal-Schadel Company, a manufacturer of paper products. Each gave $1,000 (approximately $17,600 in 2017 dollars). On March 16, 1941—Purim—the congregation celebrated with a mortgage-burning party attended by roughly 150 people. Guests included Jews from across Central Ohio. Among those present were B’nai Israel President Morris Molar, Secretary and Treasurer Clarence Epstein, and Jerry Mellman, who set the mortgage aflame.

The joy of this occasion soon gave way to the challenges of war following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. At least seven Jewish men from Lancaster and the surrounding region served in the U.S. military: Jacob Bass, Morton Epstein, Victor Epstein, George Molar, Robert Neiman of Nelsonville, Abraham Shatz of Logan, and Maurice Silver. Victor Epstein was among the more than 400,000 Americans who lost their lives during World War II.

On the home front, Lancaster Jews supported the war effort and aided European Jewish refugees through clothing drives and fundraising campaigns. The B’nai Israel Sisterhood members redeemed sales stamps for charitable purposes and continued to raise funds for relief work. Special prayers for soldiers were recited during High Holiday services throughout the war.

The years following World War II brought economic prosperity and demographic growth, marking the peak of Lancaster’s Jewish population. Much of this expansion resulted from the development of families already established in the city.

In addition to natural growth, several new families arrived in Lancaster during the late 1940s and early 1950s, drawn by employment opportunities at firms such as Diamond Power and Anchor Hocking. Among these were the Fogols, Loppers, and Swartzs. Another notable newcomer was Fred Hillman, a Holocaust survivor who established Lancaster Sales.

Signs of Decline: Lancaster’s Jewish Community, 1955–1970

After a brief period of postwar growth, Lancaster’s Jewish community began to decline by the mid-1950s as more young people left than were replaced. Many who grew up in Lancaster pursued higher education and careers elsewhere. One example is Stanton Abram, son of longtime residents Harry and Amelia Abram. After graduating from dental school around 1950, Stanton served as a Coast Guard mobile unit commander before establishing a successful practice in Cleveland and later retiring to Florida. His trajectory illustrates a broader trend later identified by Alan Shatz, B’nai Israel’s final president: the reluctance of younger generations to return to Lancaster after college was a significant factor in the community’s decline.

A significant turning point came in 1957, when Rabbi Julius Baker accepted a full-time position at Ahavas Sholom, an Orthodox congregation in Columbus. Although Baker had long commuted from Columbus, his departure left B’nai Israel without a rabbi. For a brief period, Baker arranged visits from other Columbus rabbis, such as Samuel Rubenstein of Agudas Achim, to teach classes on Jewish law. Still, the loss of consistent rabbinic leadership had lasting consequences, particularly for youth education. Lancaster families had to travel to Columbus for bar and bat mitzvah preparation without local Hebrew classes. The last bar mitzvah celebrated at B’nai Israel was in 1948, when Jacob (Jack) Shatz was called to the Torah. Thereafter, Lancaster youth marked these milestones in Columbus, reinforcing ties to the larger city and accelerating demographic decline.

The community suffered another blow with the death of Morris Molar on December 10, 1960. Molar had served as B’nai Israel’s president since 1926 and was widely regarded as a pillar of Jewish life in Lancaster. Less than two months later, tragedy struck again when a fire heavily damaged the synagogue on February 5, 1961. Reports in The Lancaster Eagle-Gazette described the alarm as summoning “every fireman on and off duty,” and The Logan Daily News noted that the blaze melted stained-glass windows and peeled paint from the walls. The fire began in the basement furnace room and caused an estimated $15,000 damage (about $124,000 in 2017 dollars). Thanks to quick action by Jacob Molar and Clarence Epstein, the Torah scrolls were saved.

While repairs were underway, the congregation’s 12 remaining families held services in the social hall, which escaped damage. In a gesture of interfaith goodwill, Reverend Sidney Waddington of St. John’s Episcopal Church offered the congregation space for Friday night services—a proposal B’nai Israel ultimately declined. However, the offer demonstrated strong interfaith ties. Within two years, services returned to the renovated sanctuary, which no longer included the women’s balcony, likely reflecting the need for fewer seats amid declining membership.

Despite these setbacks, the B’nai Israel Sisterhood worked to sustain Jewish life. Members organized holiday events, including an annual Hanukkah dinner, and sponsored popular rummage sales advertised in The Lancaster Eagle-Gazette to raise funds for the congregation. As numbers dwindled, these gatherings became essential for maintaining Jewish identity and social cohesion.

Lancaster’s Jews also remained active in the broader civic community during these years. They held leadership roles in organizations such as the American Legion, Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce, Lancaster Community Concert Association, and Toastmasters International. Jewish residents also contributed leadership to local charities, including Maywood Mission, the Red Cross, and United Way, reinforcing a legacy of civic engagement even as the congregation faced mounting challenges.

The Disappearance of Lancaster’s Satellite Communities

By the 1960s, the demographic shifts that affected Lancaster’s Jewish population also led to the disappearance of its satellite communities. These outlying Jewish populations—once closely tied to Lancaster through shared worship and family networks—faded as families relocated to larger cities in search of greater economic opportunities and more developed community structures.

Logan: A Case Study

Logan, about 20 miles from Lancaster, was among the most notable satellite communities. According to Howard Epstein, son of Charles Epstein, Logan was home to four Jewish families during the 1940s: the Eichel, Epstein, Sharff, and Shatz families. By 1970, all had left.

• The Eichel Family: Emil and Johanna Eichel lived in Logan for 35 years, where Emil operated a bakery. By the time of Emil’s death, most of his children had moved to Columbus, reflecting a broader pattern of younger generations leaving for greater educational and professional opportunities.
• The Epstein Family: Charles Epstein, like his brother Clarence in Lancaster, owned a long-standing shoe store in Logan. His son Howard, however, left for college in Cleveland and later worked at the Mandel Jewish Community Center, never returning to Logan.
• The Sharff Family: Sam and Pearl Sharff operated Sharff Stores Inc., a women’s ready-to-wear business. Eventually, they moved to Newark to be closer to their son, Earl, who had married and settled there.
• The Shatz Family: Abraham Shatz, a Polish immigrant, ran Logan Auto Parts & Wrecking for about 20 years, while his wife, Ruth, taught elementary school. Without children to inherit the business—and with Abraham’s brother Albert successfully operating Lancaster Auto Parts, which passed to his descendants—the Logan store closed following Abraham’s death in 1966.

The decline of Logan’s Jewish community mirrors the fate of other small populations once connected to Lancaster, including Chauncey, Glouster, and Nelsonville. In each case, economic consolidation, limited local opportunity, and the need for greater Jewish communal resources in larger cities contributed to the disappearance of these rural Jewish enclaves.

The Closing Years: Lancaster’s Jewish Community, 1970–1993

By the 1970s and 1980s, Lancaster’s Jewish community was experiencing a prolonged decline. Still, the arrival of a few new families slowed the pace of contraction and brought renewed vitality to local civic and professional life. Many of these newcomers were connected to the healthcare sector. In 1982, attorney Gregg Marx moved to Lancaster after joining the Fairfield County Prosecutor’s Office; he later served as Fairfield County’s Prosecuting Attorney (2011–2016), the first Jew known to hold a countywide office.

Despite these additions, the community’s numbers were insufficient to reverse demographic decline. During the 1970s and 1980s, Congregation B’nai Israel was used primarily for High Holiday services, led by student rabbis or visiting clergy. In the early 1970s, Cantors Samuel Graff and Stephen Brenner of New York conducted services, while in later years, rabbis from Columbus assumed the role. B’nai Israel began advertising its services in the Ohio Jewish Chronicle to boost attendance. The final advertisement appeared on September 21, 1989, marking 63 consecutive years of High Holiday worship at B’nai Israel.

Nearly four years after its last High Holiday service, B’nai Israel’s remaining members voted to sell the building. Discussions about closure had begun as early as 1984, but many members hoped for renewal. Mounting repair costs—estimated at $40,000 in 1993—and the inability to sustain regular services ultimately made continuation impossible. On August 7, 1993, The Lancaster Eagle-Gazette announced the congregation’s closing after 67 years. The final officers were Alan Shatz (President), Gregg Marx (Vice President), Fran Duchene (Secretary), and Morton Epstein (Treasurer).

Following the sale, members sought to preserve the congregation’s memory and support Jewish learning. They established the B’nai Israel of Lancaster Jewish Book Fund at the Fairfield County District Library to expand Judaica offerings, and the B’nai Israel Scholarship at Columbus Torah Academy. They also contributed to Congregation Ahavas Sholom in Columbus to keep and display B’nai Israel’s yahrzeit (memorial) plaques. The synagogue’s three Torah scrolls were donated to Jewish schools: one to the Portland Jewish Academy in 1988, facilitated by Vicki Epstein after her move to Portland, and two to Columbus Torah Academy after the congregation’s dissolution.

Through these actions, the former members of B’nai Israel ensured that their legacy would live on, promoting Jewish education and preserving the memory of a community that had served Lancaster for nearly seven decades.

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