Charlotte:
Jewish Temple founded by many Masons including its first rabbi
North Carolina's largest city has more than 500 religious congregations. A number of Masons founded at least one of them: Temple Beth El.

Today it is the largest Jewish congregation in the two Carolinas, with more than 1,100 families. Its spiritual leader is Rabbi Judy Schindler, daughter of Rabbi Alexander Schindler, long time world leader of the Reform Jewish movement.

In 1942 a handful of Reform Jewish families organized their own congregation. It met for several months in Hotel Charlotte. First services were led December 11 by 16-year-old Arthur Goodman, Jr. His father, Arthur, Sr., member of Phalanx 31, conceived and assembled the group.

They asked for the help of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in finding a rabbi. Their choice: Brother Philip Frankel. Founding members included A.J. Melasky, Alex Kohn, Maurice Neiman, Ben Jaffa, Leo Gottheimer and Arthur Goodman, all Masons.

They held services above Downtin's foodstore before erecting their temple on Providence Road. Rabbi Frankel volunteered his time to lead additional wartime services at Morris Field, Charlotte's only military base.

Fifty-five years later Temple Beth El made national history with a service honoring the close bonds between Masonry and Judaism. On December 12, 1997, Most Worshipful Grand Master Gerry T. Smith was guest of honor and former NC Governor James G. Martin gave the address. Also specially honored were Charlotte Jewish masters of their Masonic lodges, and brethren who were temple presidents and temple professionals.

The congregation's most famous member was its secretary, Harry Golden, who wrote Only in America and 20 other bestselling books and whose column ran in 200 U.S. newspapers.

The Blumenthal family, headed by brothers Dick and Herman, nourished Temple Beth El with leadership and funds through the generations. Both were Phalanx 31 members. Gladys Kahn Lavitan taught religious school youngsters at Beth El for 55 years. Her cousin was Berl Kahn, Wayne 112 in Goldsboro, the 119th Grand Master of Masons in 1972-1973.

Produced by the public relations committee of the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Masons in North Carolina,
2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27628 MMVIII
Author/editor: Walter J. Klein wklein(at)carolina.rr.com