HNT HISTORY ARCHIVES
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DECADE 2
Second Decade, Second Building

This article highlights the second decade of our synagogue’s 100 year history, 1916- 1926.

The most significant event during this decade was in 1924 when Herzl purchased its second permanent synagogue at 20th Avenue and East Spruce Street in Seattle. On March 29, 1925, a parade of 1500 people marched, some with Torah scrolls, to the new building and 200 participated in the dedication. According to the Jewish Transcript of April 1925, “The Holy Scrolls were carried under a canopy to the music of a band playing traditional sacred music. Many automobiles decorated by American and Jewish flags, carrying little girls in white who also carried flags, gave color to the procession.”

In 1925, Herzl’s membership had grown to 200. (Current membership at Herzl-Ner- Tamid is more than 2,500.) “Most members were within walking distance of shul and it created a community,” says Dr. Max Katz.

Its spiritual leaders were Rabbi Gedaliah Halpern (1919-1923) and Rabbi Baruch Shapiro (1923-1929), famous for his knowledge of Torah. Long-time Herzl member Freddie Meyers recalls that Rabbi Shapiro was often referred to as the holiest Rabbi in Seattle. From pictures, we know he was a small man who liked to wear a tall top hat. At Freddie’s wedding in 1928, Rabbi Shapiro said, "Marriage is the foundation of tsivilization." (not civilization but tsivilization)

Still an Orthodox synagogue, a mikvah was located in the basement of the new shul. Would you believe that during Prohibition, whiskey was hidden behind the mikvah?

The cost of the synagogue was $125,000. Money was needed to pay off the debt. Fortunately the Herzl Ladies Auxiliary which was started in 1915 sponsored the first Bazaar to help pay for the new building.

NOTE: If you recognize anyone from the above photo, please respond on the HNT website. Special thanks to Meta Buttnick and Sid Weiner for the historical information. This history is available to ALL congregants in the HNT Library.