• Source: Mattoon Jewish Community Center

The Mattoon Jewish Community Center is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue located in Mattoon.It was notable as North America's smallest Reform congregation, when it had four households. In 2022, the congregation expanded to seven households. The congregation's services are held in the Wesley United Methodist Church, at 2206 4th Street in Charleston.




History



The Jewish community has had a strong presence in Mattoon for more than 150 years. In 1948 the local Jewish community incorporated and established the first organized synagogue in Mattoon. A residential house was purchased at 1607 Richmond Ave for this purpose and was named "The Mattoon Jewish Community Center."
The MJCC interior was remodeled having a central assembly and worship area that was 15 by 40 feet (4.6 by 12.2 m). Located at the south end of the room was the Ark which contained two Torahs. Hanging from the ceiling, above the Ark, above was the Eternal Light and to its left was the bronze, illuminated Memorial Board, which displayed the names of deceased members of the congregation. An electrical neon sign displaying a Magen David was in the window and was illuminated during Sabbath services. The north end of the building featured a professional-style kitchen with a commercial stove and large refrigerator. These facilities were used for the numerous community meals, and for the popular "Annual Community Corned Beef Supper" fundraiser which helped to fund the activities at the MJCC.
In the early 1960s, local businessman and scholar, Aaron Steinberg assumed the presidency. For the next 25 years, under his leadership, the MJCC held a regular schedule of worship services and adult education classes. Student rabbis from the Hebrew Union College, in Cincinnati, served to lead the services and provide adult education. By the late 1980s the MJCC had a declining and aging congregation and no families with children. A Renaissance occurred in the early 1990s when the "baby boom" generation assumed leadership. For the next 20 years young families were enrolled, Saturday morning education for children was provided, and bar and bat mitzvahs were celebrated every year.
In the spring of 2000, the MJCC was the target of an anti-Semitic organization. They had printed "Wanted Posters" featuring the face of the current student Rabbi with accompanying anti-Semitic text. They were found stapled on phone poles and distributed around the neighborhood. Threatening messages were left in the mailbox and a swastika was spray-painted on the side of the building. In response, Mattoon police provided a visible presence during the Passover services that year. The MJCC met with local churches and interfaith organizations to organize a public "Not in Our Town" campaign. No further incidents were reported.
As the children grew up, relocated, and members died, attrition once again took its toll on the congregation. Down to five member families, and unable to afford the maintenance of a building, the decision was made to sell the building housing the MJCC and relocate. Phone calls were made to all the churches in the Mattoon area, looking for a religious facility with space they would be willing to share, so Jewish services could be observed. The Trinity Episcopal Church became the host of this congregation. Jewish services are held at times separate from the Christian services at this location. Lay services are held throughout the year, presided by a congregant who received special training. Rabbinical services are also provided for high holy days and occasional Friday night services.




Place of worship


The congregation uses the facilities of the Trinity Episcopal Church at 2200 Western Avenue in Mattoon twice a month for Sabbath, as well as the High Holy Day services. The members forego meetings during the summer months and resume services during the High Holy Days in September. The Ark, containing two Torah scrolls, resides in the sanctuary next to the altar. For Yom Kippur in 2012, the congregation did not have a rabbi; however, their finances did permit a cantorial soloist from Indiana. The Reverend Ken Truelove, pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church, assisted with the preparation for Yom Kippur. The Trinity Episcopal Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 19, 1982.
With five households, the Mattoon Jewish Community Center is the smallest Reform congregation in North America, as determined by the Union for Reform Judaism. The next smallest Reform congregation in North America is Temple Beth Tikvah in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, with five households.




See also



History of the Jews in Illinois
Unity Church (Mattoon, Illinois)




References






External links


Photo of Mattoon Jewish Community Center at Trinity Episcopal Church, Yom Kippur, September 2012
Video of Mattoon Jewish Community Center at Trinity Episcopal Church, Yom Kippur, September 2012

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