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.