Ohave Sholom Synagogue, 1941-2013 | Northern Illinois University

211 digital files (418 MB)

The collection is divided into eight series: Ohave Sholom Synagogue Records, Jewish Federation of Greater Rockford, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Ohave Sholom Sisterhood, Hebrew School, Photographs, Volumes and Objects, and Oversize. Series I, dating from 1970 to 2013, contains Board Meeting minutes, Synagogue records and files, newsletters, photographs and library records. While this series mostly consists of administrative and financial materials, it also contains various documents of Jewish significance, such as rituals and holidays. Series II, Jewish Federation of Greater Rockford, consists of Federation records, including Board of Directors minutes, Jewish Community Center materials, and Jewish Community Directories from 1982-2011.

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism materials, contained in Series III, are made up of United Synagogue publications and United Synagogue records and correspondence from 1987 to 2001. Series IV contains Ohave Sholom Sisterhood records from 1962-2009. These include bylaws, meeting minutes and agendas, as well as correspondence and newsletters. The series also consists of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism materials and synagogue activities planned and hosted by the Sisterhood.

Series V, Hebrew School Records, consists of administrative records, Board of Education minutes, and curriculum materials. The series also contains student files and report cards and School Teacher Contracts, but access to these records is restricted.

The Photographs in Series VI include images of the interior and exterior of the synagogue and detailed photos of building furnishings and worship objects taken in 2013. Digital prints of these photos are available for access.

Series VII, volumes and objects, consists of prayer and song books about particular ceremonies and customs. The volumes are arranged by topic. Oversize Materials make up Series VIII, and consists of a calendar, certificate, and posters.

Ohave Sholom Synagogue was established in 1918 as an Orthodox Synagogue in a Gothic style building at 728 1st Avenue in Rockford, but began services as early as 1911 at a building at 5th and Market Streets. The synagogue served the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the Jewish Community of the Rockford Area. Between 1914 and 1918, the Ladies Aid society began and was renamed the Ohave Sholom Sisterhood in the 1920s. Ohave became a member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in 1963 and functioned as a Conservative Syngogue thereafter. In June, 1971, the congregation moved to the building at 3730 Guilford Road in Rockford. The Hebrew School at Ohave Sholom closed in 1997. In May, 2013, the congregation sold the synagogue building and moved to a space provided by Rockford’s Temple Beth-El on September 15, 2013.

Conservative Judaism
Jewish Federation of Greater Rockford (Rockford, Ill.)
Jewish holidays
Jewish religious education
Judaism
Judaism--Prayers and devotions
Ohave Sholom Synagogue (Rockford, Ill.)
Ohave Sholom Synagogue Sisterhood (Rockford, Ill.)
Rockford (Ill.)
Synagogues
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Worship (Judaism)