SEPTEMBER 29 • 2022 | 21

Holden said. 
During the academic year for 
Michigan Tech, the High Holidays, 
Chanukah, Purim and Pesach are 
the main festivals and services 
the temple observes and provides. 
Shabbat services are held every 
month, but not weekly. B’nai 
mitzvah classes are also offered. 
Michigan Tech established a 
Hillel last year and Temple Jacob 
is working with them to provide 
services for their students. 
It was three years ago this month 
that Temple Jacob was the victim of 
antisemitic vandalism. After that, 
the local community came out to 
support the temple en masse. 
Locals passing by and several 
other groups rallied together 
to help remove the graffiti and 
repaint. Leaders from the area 
spoke out about the issue and took 
action.
“It speaks wonderful things 
about the community as a whole 
up here — tremendous support 
from Michigan Tech, Finlandia 

University and the cities of 
Hancock and Houghton,
” Holden 
said. 
Other religious organizations 
in the area banded together and 
formed Keweenaw Faiths United, 
an interfaith group seeking to 
provide support for inclusiveness 
and diversity in the immediate 
aftermath of the incident. 
“That group is still going strong. 
It’s continuing to pay dividends, 
the amity and camaraderie we 
experienced in the aftermath. 
It’s been a net positive for the 
synagogue that we establish deep 
ties with other members of the 
community.
”
Holden says the doors to Temple 
Jacob are open. “If anyone is 
interested in touring the synagogue 
when they come up to vacation 
to Keweenaw, they can. That’s 
honestly one of the largest sources 
of donations and contributions we 
have — people who come up, tour 
our beautiful building and stay 
with us for a Shabbat.
” 

