Early Rabbis

Rabbis came and went. One who stands out was Rabbi Jacob Danziger, who arrived as a bachelor in 1929, and married Ann Rosenberg before moving on to Huntington, West Virginia three years later. Other early Rabbis were: Rabbi Sofar, Rabbi Aaron, Rabbi Shapo, Rabbi Garfinkle, Rabbi Goldman, Rabbi Klibinsky, Rabbi Lowenthal, and Rabbi Prero, each of whom served about three years. Part of the difficulty of holding a Rabbi was the lack of housing within walking distance of the Synagogue. To solve this problem a house was purchased on Kilmore Court. Rabbi Sivawitz, an exceptional Cantor, and then Rabbi Beckerman lived in this house until it was sold and another, on Preston Court, was purchased. Rabbi William Frankel and Rabbi Albert Pappenheim each lived in the Preston Court house.

For many years, the Synagogue was without a Rabbi. Fortunately, congregants were able to conduct services and perform other duties. In the pioneer days Sol Kahn, Nathan Cantor and Berle Kravetz were Chazzans. Rev. Samuel Krasne served as Chazzan and Scochet, as well as Mohel. Of widespread fame in the Lexington Jewish community Rev. Harry Goller who Davened on holidays and gave sermons in Yiddish when there was no Rabbi available. In addition, Mr. Goller's Kosher Butcher Shop on 4th and Upper Streets provided the Orthodox Jews with meat, poultry and delicatessen for over 40 years. During the war years, before Rabbi Beckerman came, Mr. Goller and Dr. Abe Wikler conducted the services.