16 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022

N

ow operating in the Upper
Peninsula’s most populous city,
Marquette, Temple Beth Sholom
(TBS) was founded about 15 miles to the
west in Ishpeming.
In the mid-1900s, a large population of
Jews in the Upper Peninsula’s iron mining
areas congregated in Ishpeming and sur-
rounding small communities.
TBS was founded in the 1940s in the
home of Willard and Lois Cohodas when
Willard began teaching a Torah study class
to five area children.
High Holiday services were held in var-
ious locations until, in 1951, the Cohodas’
young nephew, Howard, asked why the
town did not have a synagogue. Plans
began for a building to be constructed in
Ishpeming. A groundbreaking ceremony
took place in June 1952, with a building
dedication the following year.

With no regular rabbi, Willard Cohodas
often led services, until the arrival of stu-
dent rabbis who have officiated for the con-
gregation through the years.
Over time, the Jewish community slowly
shifted toward the city of Marquette. The
move is largely attributed to the growth of
Northern Michigan University and the UP
Health System-Marquette regional hospital,
whose staff make up a large portion of the
congregation’s membership.
As the Jewish community moved, so did
TBS.
In December 2016, the Reform con-
gregation bought a building in the city of
Marquette.
Services started at the new location in
January 2018 and occur monthly. TBS also
offers an adult education group and Sunday
religious school.
TBS opens its doors to individuals who

have grown up Jewish, chosen to be Jewish,
are part of an interfaith family or are seek-
ing more information or an attachment to
Judaism.
With the move to Marquette came an
increase in participation and enthusiasm,
including a rise in younger people getting
involved with TBS — even while still iden-
tifying, like many synagogues, as an aging
congregation.
While the mean age of the congregation
is about 60 years old, TBS also attracts
college students from Northern Michigan
University and the Detroit and Chicago
areas.
“We’re trying to attract younger people.
We generally get one or two students com-
ing to every Shabbat service and younger
professors who have little kids who are
coming to Sunday school,
” said Cary
Gottlieb, TBS board member, longtime

Marquette’s
Temple Beth Sholom

Inside the sanctuary at
Temple Beth Sholom

The exterior of
Temple Beth Sholom.

Congregation is searching for a
new spiritual leader.

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY
SYNAGOGUE SPOTLIGHT

PHOTOS COURTESY TBS