01/24/2026
On This Day in Wilkes‑Barre History – January 24, 1932: Congregation Ohav Zedek formally dedicated its magnificent new synagogue at 242 South Franklin Street, a building that remains one of Wilkes‑Barre’s most distinctive architectural treasures.
Designed by local architect Austin Reilly, the structure is a vibrant example of the Moorish Revival style, featuring colorful terra‑cotta tile and graceful horseshoe arches that make it instantly recognizable in the city’s River Street Historic District.
The roots of Ohav Zedek reach back to the late 19th century, when Austrian‑Hungarian Empire Jewish immigrants began settling in Wilkes‑Barre. About twenty‑five families initially gathered in private homes, forming small minyanim for prayer. On November 18, 1892, they received a charter as Congregation Ohav Zedek Anshe Ungarn—“Lover of Righteousness, Men of Hungary.”
The young congregation quickly established itself. In 1893, it purchased land in Hanover Township for a cemetery. By 1902, members constructed their first synagogue on what was then Canal Street (today Pennsylvania Avenue), a building affectionately known as the “Ungarishe Shul.” Growth continued, and in 1914 the congregation acquired adjoining property on State Street for the construction of a mikvah (ritual bath).
By the late 1920s, the community had outgrown its original home. In 1930, ground was broken for a new synagogue on South Franklin Street. The cornerstone was laid eight months later, and on January 24, 1932, the congregation celebrated the dedication of its new sanctuary—a space that combined architectural beauty with a deep sense of spiritual purpose.
Over the decades, Ohav Zedek has been guided by a distinguished line of rabbis whose scholarship and leadership shaped the life of the congregation. Among them are Samuel Pripstein, Isidore Mayer Davidson, Ephraim Wolfe, Jerome Kerzner, Dr. Herman Shulman, Mitchell Kornspan, Israel Kestenbaum, Dr. Moshe J. Yeres, Meir Rosenberg, Nachman Bruce, Raphael Nemetsky, and its current rabbi, David Kaplan.
Interesting fact: Judge Max Rosenn (1910-2006) was a member for his entire life. He attend the groundbreaking when he was 20 in 1930. His marriage to Tillie Hershkowitz in 1934. His funeral which was attended by 400 people in 2006. He was 96. May their memory be a blessing.
Ninety‑four years after its dedication, the South Franklin Street synagogue still remains a testament to the perseverance, faith, and cultural heritage of Wilkes‑Barre’s early Jewish community.
