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

