On November 1, 1903, at 7:30 p.m., a handful of Jewish Lexington pioneers gathered in the Phoenix Lodge Room on West Short Street to discuss the possibilities of organizing a temple "...for the purpose of religious services, a Sabbath school and other matters pertaining to the moral elevation among the Jewish people of Lexington and Central Kentucky.
The matter was heartily approved and on January 24, 1904, the first permanent officers were elected: Fred Lazarus, president; Simon Wolf, vice-president; I. Jay Miller, secretary; and William Moses, treasurer. Rabbi George Zepin delivered the first sermon. The following month, the services of Rabbi Leo Mannheimer of Chattanooga were engaged to conduct a monthly service and the group was granted membership in the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. At the April 8, 1904 meeting, it was announced that Samuel Goldenson had accepted this pulpit offered to him upon his graduation from the Hebrew Union College in June of that year. On July 11, 1904, the group formally incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as "Adath Israel Congregation" for the purpose of "...conducting and maintaining religious institutions and religious worship, teaching and training according to the customs of American Israelites.” Those signing the Articles of Incorporation were Fred Lazarus, Simon Wolf, Simon Weil, I. Jay Miller Sr., William Moses, Henry Loevenhart, Jacob Speyer and Simon Ades of Lexington; A. J. Winters of Paris; and Joseph Sallinger of Georgetown.
Rabbi Jacob Marcus was Director of Jewish Archives at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati Campus, and served as visiting rabbi from 1919 until the late 1920s, at such times as he was called upon by the congregation. Other rabbis who have served this congregation, in addition to those already mentioned, include: Samuel Thurman, Gabriel Schulman, Hyman Solomon, David Fishman, Jacob Krongold, Theodore Lewis, Lawrence Bro-Kahn, Milton Grafman, Julian Fleg, Albert Lewis, Sidney Ballon, Maurice Davis, Joseph Rosenbloom, Robert A. Rothman, William J. Leffler, and Jonathan F. Adland. Rabbi Marc Kline currently occupies the pulpit.
Temple Adath Israel, in 1905, with Jonas Weil as finance chairman, purchased a building on Maryland Avenue for its first permanent sanctuary. The congregation worshipped there until the present sanctuary on Ashland Avenue was dedicated in 1926. The new building was made possible by a generous gift given by Leo Marks in memory of his father, Julius Marks, providing the congregation would match his $25,000. In 1949, under the presidency of Dr. Sherman E. Miller, the Williams property adjoining the temple was purchased for building a Religious School wing, and this expansion program was completed in 1950. In 1955, Sol J. Levy contributed $50,000 for the building of an additional Religious School wing for the temple. In 1958, in memory of her late husband, Mr. Levy's widow gave the temple a gift of $75,000, $48,000 of which was used to purchase 30 acres of land on Mt. Tabor Road. The balance of this gift was held by the Endowment Committee for new structures for the temple.
Under the presidency of Charles Stern, efforts were begun to consider the remodeling and renovation of the temple at the location that had served it since 1926. President Charles Gorodetzky appointed then vice-president Joseph H. Miller to oversee and direct the project and James Levenson to guide the fund-raising efforts with Charles Stern serving as general chairman. With a major gift from Warren & Betty Rosenthal, and a number of other substantial contributions from the temple community, the building project was completed, affording us the opportunity to expand and enrich the life of Temple Adath Israel. Under President Miller's administration, the building was finished and dedicated on December 16, 1984, with the featured speaker at the dedication being Dr. Alexander M. Schindler, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Rose Brazin was elected president of the congregation in 1985, the first woman president in the temple's history. The congregation continued to thrive under the presidency of Dr. Ira P. Mersack from 1987-1989.
Ben Baker served as the temple president from 1989-1991. Under his presidency, the congregation moved past the milestone of 300 households as members. He concentrated on leadership development for a strong temple future, and worked toward fiscal security for the present and future. Steve Kocen followed Ben Baker as president. His term of office was cut short as a result of his leaving the Lexington community. Cheri Rose served as president of Temple Adath Israel Congregation from 1992-1994. She looked to strengthen the internal structure of the congregation and its operation both financially and programmatically. Rob Rosenstein served as president from 1994-1996. Rob sought to broaden communication with TAI members, to maintain fiscal responsibility and to make TAI a friendly environment. Ben Baker once again served as our temple president from 1996-98. Ben’s desire for a secure financial future helped the temple raise adequate funds to continue to maintain the present building and expand this building when necessary.
Marilyn Lieber served as president from 1998-2000. Her insight and experience as a Temple Board Life Trustee and a Sisterhood past president, were beneficial to the temple. During Marilyn’s tenure, a study of the temple building, including the possibility of expansion, was conducted. Renovations, and improvements, including the installation of a security system, and redecorating were initiated.
Jane Grisé served as temple president from 2000-2002. Under her presidency, the congregation initiated a major social action project – the building of a Habitat House in conjunction with the Lexington Jewish community. During Jane’s tenure, the congregation also focused on long range planning for the future of the temple. Judith Hersh is the current temple president.
Through the gracious gift from our first Temple Youth Group president, Alan Bloomfield, there is a new staff position: Program Coordinator. Toni Reiss is the first person to hold this position. The Program Director is responsible for coordinating the temple Youth Groups, creating new temple programs for members of all ages, and finding a way to involve more people in temple life.
Along with the Bloomfield Fund, a number of other restricted funds have been established in recent years by long time temple families: the Rosenstein’s, Hymson’s, Baker’s, Scher’s, Miller’s, and Strauss’. These funds support and sustain youth activities, adult education, and cultural programs at the temple.
In 1984, with the new and remodeled building, came revitalization and new accomplishments in the temple's life. The temple recognized the need for a permanent Temple Administrator. This position is now filled by John McDonald.
TAI continues to prosper and grow, offering a wide range of activities to its members as well as a well-maintained and attractive facility for other groups. There is an increased and expanded religious school, an excellent preschool program, burgeoning of Youth Group activities, and an expanded Adult Education program. These are indications of the new and enthusiastic future of which we all can be excited and proud. Judaism and Temple Adath Israel continue to be a vibrant part of our lives.