By Rose Picón, Staff Writer

Did you know that the Connective Corridor has a historic treasure on its route? That’s right! On the corner of University Avenue and Madison Street sits the ninth oldest Jewish congregation in the United States: Temple Concord. This congregation has been around for a long time — since 1839, even before Syracuse University was founded in 1870.  Beyond its claim to historic fame, it plays a unique role in the community and has a fascinating story to tell.   

 Jonathan Adler, the executive director of Temple Concord, helps explain the temple’s magnificent history. “The Society of Concord was established in Syracuse by Jewish German immigrants,” Adler mentions. ““Most of them were merchants and peddlers who established business here. The name ‘Society of Concord’ literally refers to a group of people who agreed with each other.” The people in the Society of Concord didn’t think the same way for too long, however. While members initially followed Orthodox Judaism, the congregation split in 1861 because several group members wanted to change the society to a Reform institution. They succeeded, and today, Temple Concord remains a Reform Judaism congregation. In fact, Temple Concord is the only reform congregation in the Syracuse area.

Since Temple Concord is the sole place in Syracuse for reform Jews to practice, they emphasize creating a lot of activities and organizations for members. Temple Concord has several youth groups, holds lessons in Hebrew and on the Torah and even has musical groups. The music groups include the Knesseth Shalom Singers for adult members and the Shira Shalom Singers for children. The congregation also has a band called Ruach, which means “Spirit” in Hebrew, designed for people who know how to play an instrument and want to play with others. Ruach sometimes accompanies the congregation during Shabbat songs.

Temple Concord is not limited to serving only its members, however. Temple Concord does its best to be active in the Syracuse community as a whole. “We consider it very important to be involved in this community,” Adler adds. “We advocate for social actions, we are involved with the universities in the community and we have educational and cultural events that are open to the whole community. “Temple Concord hosts a monthly Scholars Series, where faculty members from Syracuse’s colleges come in to speak at Temple Concord each month. At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, Professor Gregory Eastwood from SUNY Upstate Medical University will present his lecture, “Dying Isn’t What It Used to Be: Ethical Questions at the End of Life.” Temple Concord also hosts a monthly movie series called Cinemagogue, where they showcase movies with some Jewish connection (it could be a Jewish story, have a Jewish theme, or simply have a Jewish director).

Temple Concord also holds exciting and entertaining performances with the Goldenberg Cultural Series, which brings talented area performers the temple. The Goldenberg Cultural Series will definitely make March an exciting month because Temple Concord has two great groups coming to perform. On March 15, the Jazzuits from LeMoyne College are coming to the temple (Adler comments that the pun is very much intended!) and Joshua Nelson will perform “Kosher Gospel” on March 30-31. The Jazzuits perform traditional Jewish and contemporary music, and Joshua Nelson is a New Jersey native with a gift for gospel Jewish singing. “Joshua Nelson is known as ‘The Prince of Kosher Gospel,’” Adler enthuses. “He was brought up Jewish, but at a young age he discovered the music of Mahalia Jackson, The Queen of Gospel. He does traditional Jewish music in gospel style with extremely high energy.” He will lead Temple Concord’s Friday night service on the 30^th, which will also feature a Carnegie deli dinner brought in from NYC! Adler comments, “We certainly hope people from all over our community will come!”

Temple Concord is certainly Syracuse’s historical treasure, but don’t let its age make you think it’s not “with it” today. Temple Concord is actively involved in the community and continues to embrace the Jewish culture in Syracuse, even after 173 years. If you want to see Gregory Eastwood speak on March 6, the Jazzuits perform on March 15 or Joshua Nelson perform on March 30-31, then head down to Temple Concord this month. For future events, pick up a program guide at the temple, or check out their website! Temple Concord is located on 910 Madison Street, just steps off the Connective Corridor route, a FREE bus service etc.