Greenfield's synagogue marks centennial in community

[ Originally published on: Thursday, February 11, 2010 ]

Recorder/Paul Franz

The interior of Temple Israel in Greenfield.

GREENFIELD -- Isador Kramer was one of the founders of the Greenfield Hebrew Congregation about a century ago. He helped build the original temple sanctuary in town.

About 20 years ago, his grandson, Peter Kramer, followed in his footsteps and helped demolish that original sanctuary and build a new one in its place. He was the president during part of the work.

Peter Kramer's brother, Leonard, also played an active role in the temple during that time and headed up the fundraising for the new construction.

'Isador and then his grandchildren came along to rebuild,' said Peter Kramer, as he reflected on that time.

But, it wasn't just the Kramers who put an enormous amount of time and effort into building the sanctuary that exists today on Pierce Street.

'A whole host of folks did a tremendous job,' said Peter Kramer.

The dominant material used in the temple was wood, which is both compatible with the buildings in the New England area and is the material of synagogues in Poland.

The walls in the temple have a rough finish, rubbed with a white pigment. The floors are a light bleached oak. Dark wood trim lines the upper section of the walls. The ceiling is in the barrel shape of an upside-down ark, which is the repository of the words of God.

Temple Israel is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary. A century ago, what is now Temple Israel began as the Greenfield Hebrew Congregation.

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