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.