22 | JULY 13 • 2023
T
emple Beth-El
(Alpena) President
Ken Diamond raised
his hand to the largest of the
synagogue’s four stained-glass
windows. Demonstrating how
the colorful panes had bowed
with age, Diamond recounted
that the Minnesota-based
restorers “would heat up
the glass and push it back
into shape.” The work was
nerve-wracking to watch.
The end result — covered
in new, protective acrylic —
was worth it. After 99 years
in a 132-year-old building,
the windows once again are
breathtaking.
Although the congregation
had received restoration
funds through FEMA’s
nonprofit security grant
program, the projected costs
left a $15,000 shortfall. That’s
when Diamond approached
JHSM (Jewish Historical
Society of Michigan) for
help. In a matter of days
in February 2022, after
a frenzied crowdfunding
campaign that brought in
donors from across the
country, Temple Beth-El had
exceeded its fundraising goal.
“We were honored to help,”
said Risha B. Ring, Ph.D.,
then president of JHSM. “It’s
our mission to preserve and
share Michigan’s rich Jewish
history.”
Ring’s daughter, Amy
Rothberger, dreamed up a
thermometer that measured
the online fundraising
campaign’s progress.
On Saturday, June 17,
Temple Beth-El rededicated
the windows. The synagogue
building has been used by the
congregation continuously
since 1891. According to
JHSM Executive Director
Catherine Cangany, Ph.D.,
Temple Beth-El is one of a
small handful of 19th-century
synagogue buildings still in
use in Michigan today. Its
interior is largely unchanged.
Ring and Cangany
were special guests at the
dedication Shabbat and
luncheon, joining donors
and supporters from near
and far in celebrating the
congregation’s achievement.
Also in attendance were
members of the window
restoration committee who
spearheaded the project,
including Deborah Farrar,
Kathleen Lutes, Tim Lutes,
Cecile Pizer, Nancy Schindler
and Diamond.
Visiting Rabbi Ron Reuven
Silverman of Temple Israel
Breathtaking Windows
OUR COMMUNITY
132-year-old Alpena synagogue restores and rededicates stained glass.
STORY AND PHOTO COURTESY OF JHSM
Members of the Temple
Beth-El (Alpena) window
restoration committee
celebrated on Saturday,
June 17. Seated are
Kathleen Lutes, Cecile
Pizer, Nancy Schindler,
and Deborah Farrar.
Standing are Tim Lutes
and Ken Diamond.