JANUARY 5 • 2023 | 17
munity shrinking at one point,
the synagogue today — consist-
ing of just under 100 members
— attracts not only year-round
locals but second-home owners
who grew up in the area as well
as tourists.
The synagogue has under-
gone major renovations over
the years, spending more than
$500,000 on its rejuvenation.
The end results include a new
roof, stained glass windows,
new substructure, repaired
foundations, new electrical, new
plumbing and more.
Seeking support for the
renovations, the congregation
reached out to those who have
an identity with South Haven,
including those who grew up
in the especially strong Jewish
community it was when they
were kids.
“We sent out feelers all over
the country, and some of the old
resort owner families jumped
out of their shoes and asked
what they could do to help,
”
Fidelman said. “The funniest
thing about all the renovations
we’ve done is that finding the
money was the easiest part.
”
Planning was the hardest
part, and the way they needed
to plan was to solidify their
identity.
“It was determined we had
to define what a small-town
synagogue should be,
” Fidelman
said. “It has to serve all Jews and
every variety of Judaism. And
when we made the new bylaws,
it was to serve every Jew in this
area.
”
The unique aspect of
First Hebrew Congregation,
Fidelman believes, is how they
practice the Jewish faith.
On Saturday mornings
throughout the summer,
Orthodox services are held.
Those services are followed by
an elaborate kiddush.
“The services are Orthodox,
but people of all levels of
denomination come to the
kiddush,
” Fidelman said.
On Friday nights throughout
the summer, there are Reform
services led by three female
rabbis: Nina Mizrahi, Anita
Silvert and Ellen Weinberg
Dreyfus.
For the High Holidays,
services are egalitarian
Conservative and led by Rabbi
Alan Cohen.
“It’s the uniqueness of the
environment; we’re three Jewish
factions all pulled together,
and we make this small-town
synagogue work,
” Fidelman
said.
Services take place every
weekend in the summer and on
holidays.
“It’s a pretty seasonal
operation, except for certain
holidays,
” Fidelman says
about the congregation, which
livestreams services for those
who can’t be there in person.
The congregation also has open
seating for the High Holidays.
On the July 4th weekend,
the congregation sells a “Lox
Box,
” providing breakfast in
a bag with lox and bagels and
the whole nine yards. Jewish-
themed movies are shown
on the third Wednesday of
the month all throughout the
season, with free popcorn.
There’s also a Jewish Book Club
that meets once a month.
The rejuvenated congregation
that serves all Jews is thriving
due in part to the storied
history of South Haven’s Jewish
community.
“We have a nice, brand-new
synagogue,
” Fidelman said.
“There are pictures of all the
old South Haven resorts and
the old classes in the cheder
on the walls around the entire
synagogue. It’s like going to a
museum.
”
The sanctuary
at First Hebrew
Congregation
On Saturday
mornings
throughout the
summer, services
are followed by an
elaborate kiddush.