The Lost Mural: A Burlington VT Focus of Jewish Community

Beth here, writing from Waterford, Vermont. It's been a while since I've posted here; "life happens." But with a new project underway to identify the Jewish residents of the Northeast Kingdom in 1920, I recently reconnected (with lots of conversation and joy) with Aaron Goldberg, whose primary focus in Vermont Jewish presence is on The Lost Mural. You may find some surprises, as well as plenty of information, in what he recently sent this way. Click on each panel to see it in readable size:

 

For further insight, browse here:

There is a vast amount of information, lectures, video,  zooms about our research on Burlington, the Lost Mural and the artist whose name is Ben Zion Black, located on the website at www.lostmural.org

I. Videos of the Move of the Mural.

You may wish to watch the time-lapse videos of the "Move of the Mural" on the website under 2015. 

The 14 minute piece on moving the mural is here:

https://www.lostmural.org/history#moving-the-mural

There is another one on the same page that is about six minutes long

II. PBS Vermont Public Television Documentary.

This link is to "Burlington's Little Jerusalem" (2014). ( 1 hour)

This documentary won the Richard Hathaway Vermont History Award.

https://www.pbs.org/video/vermont-public-television-documentaries-little-jerusalem/

III. Quick Links: (All Lost Mural Project lectures and concerts are taped for distribution to a wider audience). 

1. History. Information about the art, architecture and history of the Lost Mural, and the genre of painted wooden synagogue is located here: History — The Lost Mural

2. Local High School Trip and Art. Information about the annual trips of Burlington High School to visit the Lost Mural, and their actual resistance art, is located here: Student Projects — The Lost Mural

3. Educational History Resources. Lectures, Video, and Powerpoints about the Lost Mural and the East European Painted Wooden Synagogue is located here:Resources — The Lost Mural 

4. Ben Zion Black, the Lost Mural's Artist. Information about the Black is located here:Ben Zion Black — The Lost Mural 

5. Black Yiddish Record Collection. More information about Black's Yiddish record collection is located here: Ben Zion Black Record Collection — The Lost Mural

6. Black's Yiddish Poetry. Dozens of Black's Yiddish poems have recently been translated and can be reviewed here: Ben Zion Black's Poetry — The Lost Mural

7. Testimonials. Testimonials from art, history and preservationists, as well as ambassadors and politicians from around the world can be found here: Testimonials — The Lost Mural

8. Musical Memories Concert Series. In addition to delivering information about the Jewish Community to Vermonters, the Lost Mural Project's educational mission explores the diversity of our Vermont Communities through artistic and musical presentations within a synagogue environment. These concerts highlight how culture and traditions are transmitted through art and music, and the shared experience of our immigrant journeys. 

The latest concerts are shown here on our events page: Events — The Lost Mural

 

Jewish Community of Newport, Vermont

The late Emily M. Nelson, in her 1977 book Frontier Crossroads: The Evolution of Newport Vermont, provides the following description of the Jewish community of Newport at pages 132-133:

It was recorded by the late Morris Sockol that a Jewish community was formed in 1905 for the purpose of purchasing a Torah and observing the Jewish holidays and festivals.

Prayer meetings were held in various members' homes and Magoon's Hall was used for the High Holy Days.

In 1943 Oscar Skoll donated a building on Clyde Street to be used for a Synagogue. 

The following people were present to accept the offer: William Arkin, Abraham Arkin, Morris Atkins, Jesse Levin, Ed Needleman, Louis Needleman, Oscar Skoll, and Saul Sockol.

There was a public dedication and Open House in September, 1943, of the new Beth Israel  Synagogue. Protestants, Catholics, and Jews joined in the impressive ceremony. Rabbi Herman of Burlington, Vermont, conducted the service assisted by Cantor L. Spiro of Montreal.

Louis Lisman of Burlington delivered an address on the courage of the Newport Jews in founding a Synagogue.

The keynote address for the ceremonies was delivered by the late Rev. Wilson Bugden, pastor of the United Churches of Newport, who spoke on "Our Similarities." Pastors of the other city churches and Mayor O.S. Searles had a part in the public dedication of the new Synagogue.

Sabbath services, holiday festivals and Sunday School classes were held at the Synagogue until September, 1963. At that time the building was returned to Oscar Skill due to the diminishing Jewish population. 

The Torahs were loaned to the Ohavi Zedek Synagogue of Burlington, Vermont, for safekeeping.

In 1964 it became known to the former members of the Beth Israel congregation that a Torah was needed in a Jewish Community in India. A Torah was given and sent to India.

The funds of the treasury were used to purchase and maintain a room at the Orleans County Memorial Hospital in Newport.

The prayer books and menorah were given to Temple Beth El of Quincy, Massachusetts. The remainder of the prayer books and Torah covers were given to a new Temple in Simsbury, Connecticut, which Jason Arkin and his family helped to organize.

[The book also includes a photo, labeled: Beth Israel congregation members (from left) Saul Sockol, Louis and Ed Needleman, and Jack Gladstone, with Torah destined for a community in India.]