History of Congregation Sons of Israel from an article from our 50th Anniversary, in 1952:

Fifty years ago, about twenty five Jewish residents of this city and community, united by common ties of friendship and religion and inspired by the freedom and liberty of worship in this blessed land, formed an organization for the purpose of worship and torah learning and called it “The Congregation Sons of Israel”. 

It was in the year 1903 when this group formally made application for incorporation in the court of Lehigh County which is on record in the office of the Recorder of Deeds, Lehigh County Court House. 

A short summation of the content as follows:  

The name of the proposed corporation is “The Congregation Sons of Israel”. The corporation is formed for the purposed of the worship of the Almighty G-d according to the faith, doctrine, creed, discipline and usages of the orthodox Hebrew synagogue.  The number of directors of said corporation, the names of those chosen for the first year are: 

Max Rapoport, Samuel Schwartz, Max G. Chanock, George Berkhan, Jacob Schattenstei, Morris Kaplan, E. A. Markowitz, Abraham Golomb, Abraham Nathan and Abraham Kaplan. 

In the same year (1903) the congregation purchased a plot of ground at the northeast corner of Sixth and Tilghman  Streets.  Meanwhile during the years 1904 – 1908, services were held at the “Crockery Hall”, the fourth floor of a building on South 7th Street, later known as Royal Wholesale Co.  Services were also held at the “Odd Fellows Hall,” then located on Hamilton Street, and in various other halls at irregular periods. 

In 1908 a building committee for the erection of the Synagogue was appointed as follows: 

Max Senderowitz, Chairman;                 Philip Getz, treasurer;        

Max Rapoport, Abe Nathan, Jacob schattenstein, Sam Schwartz, Max Chanock and Max Rosenberg. 

In 1909 this article appeared in the Allentown Morning Call dated Sept. 10, 1909. 

” READY TO DEDICATE PRETTY SYNAGOGUE” 

“CONGREGATION SONS OF ISRAEL’S BIG EVENT”  

Elaborate Ceremony to be held Sunday Afternoon at 2 P.M. will be presided over by Rabbi Joseph Leiser of this city. Sept. 12, 1909 – Sunday.  The program was as follows:

Music………………………………………………………………….. Orchestra 

Processional   

Presentation and Acceptance of Key to Synagogue   

Music………………………………………………………………….. Orchestra 

Scripture Reading – Cantor M. Shubow and Choir   

Address –  Master of Ceremonies – Rabbi Joseph Leiser   

Address – Honorable C. O. Hunsicker, Mayor of Allentown   

Address – “The Purpose and Value of a Jewish House of Worship”, Rabbi B. Sadler, Easton   

Address – Rev. H. M. J. Klein of Zion Reformed Church – Allentown   

Music…………………………………………………………………..Orchestra 

Address – Chief Rabbi B. L. Levinthal, Philadelphia   

Address – Honorable A. G. Dewalt, Allentown   

Address – (Yiddish) Rabbi H. Orliansky, New York   

Address – Rabbi Charles I. Hoffman, Newark   

Remarks – President of  Congregation, Max Rapoort   

Singing – “Star Spangled Banner”, Choir of School   

Address in behalf of School, – Master Julius Rapoport    

The congregation  numbered eighty five members.  Records show that Cantor Meyer Shubow led the services at indefinite terms during the years from 1909 to about 1915; some of the boys on the Choir who servd under Cantor M. Shubow during those years were Morris Senderowitz, Jr., Jacob Rosenberg, Walter Silberg, Ben Silberg, Robert Grollman together with two adults Philip Gross and Mr. Levine.