Congregation Montefiore and the Max Weiss Family

Synagogue today.   335 South 3rd East.

Congregation Montefiore was the congregation that the Max Weiss family attended.  (See previous blog "Two Temples".)   Annie (Jewish name, Hannah) Weiss was especially faithful to her Jewish religion.  It was because of the synagogue that Annie wanted to leave Roosevelt and live in Salt Lake.  She wanted to raise her family in the Jewish tradition of her fathers.  Annie wanted to be near others of her faith and Max honored that desire by building her a new home in Salt Lake City.  Max commuted to Roosevelt by train to work his fur and hardware business for many years.

Annie also wanted her sons to live where they could more easily attend Jewish religion classes.  Her desires were similar to those of the Kol Ami Synagogue Religious School of today:

The role of Religious School is to help foster an appreciation and awareness of Judaism in all its facets. Our school seeks to:

• Promote the development of a Jewish identity - a belief in God, an understanding of Torah, Jewish history, philosophy, values, and culture;
• A knowledge of Hebrew - ranging from the understanding of the prayer book and significant Jewish texts to conversational skills;
• A comprehension of the meaning of Jewish ceremonies, traditions and life-cycle events; and
• A long-term commitment to support actively and participate meaningfully in Jewish life.  (See http://www.conkolami.org) 

Kol Ami Synagogue, http://www.conkolami.org,  serving both reform and conservative Jews,  is located at 2425 E Heritage Way in Salt Lake City.

Apparently Max and Annie's son, Simon Weiss, wasn't that interested in his religious roots or attending religion classes.  According to Clarissa Chase Weiss, Simon must have attended Mormon services with some of his friends because he knew all the LDS hymns.  Simon eventually married this local Mormon girl and he allowed their children to be raised in the Latter-day Saint beliefs.

828 Washington Street-Max and Annie Weiss Home in Salt Lake City, UT.

Weiss Home in SLC, UT.

Weiss Home in 2013.

Each Friday night and Saturday, especially during the High Holy Days, members of the Weiss family would walk to Montefiore Synagogue for services.

Max and Annie's oldest son, Abe Weiss, was married to his wife, Miss Lizzie Benchick, by Rabbi Zorach Bielsky in the Montefiore Synagogue in Salt Lake City in 1911, even though both were from Uintah County.  

Note Signatures of Abraham Weiss and Lizzie Benchick, married 9 of July, 1911 in Salt Lake's Montefiore Synagogue.

Family members mentioned in the list of Deaths in the Congretation Montefiore include:
Max in 1933, Morris in 1942, Annie Weiss in 1954.   All are buried in the Montefiore Cemetery.
(See Brooks, Juanita, The Jews of Utah, pp. 239-240.)

Brigham Young gave the property for the Jewish Cemetery early in the history of Salt Lake Valley.

Montefiore Cemetery is located on strip of land next to the Salt Lake City Cemetery. 

Max Weiss headstone in the Montefiore Cemetery. Hebrew name is Michael ben reb (son of the honorable) Asher Weiss. Age 65 at death.

Annie Weiss headstone reads:  Beloved Wife and Honorable Hannah, daughter of the worthy Abraham.  WEISS -27 Tamuz 5714-83 years old. 1 Sam 25:29 "May her soul be bound up in the band of eternal life."

Rose Weiss, granddaughter to Annie and Max, was the "burser" in the national Jewish sorority Phi Sigma Sigma, at the University of Utah campus.   Her brother, Arthur, is listed as Utah Participants in World War II from Congregation Montefiore. Rose and Arthur came to live with Max and Annie when their parents (Abe and Libby Weiss) both died.     (See Brooks, Juanita, The Jews of Utah,
pp. 195, 202.)

Marker outside the Congregation Montefiore Synagogue.

The National Register historic marker explains the building's history:
(See:  http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM9Q4A)

This Synagogue was constructed in 1903 at a cost of $9,000, and was one of only 4 synagogues built in Utah during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

It was designed by prominent Utah architect Carl Neuhausen. The building's exotic style results from an eclectic mix of architectural elements, including Byzantine columns at the entry, Moorish arches in the towers, onion-shaped domes, and round-arched windows throughout.

The Congregation Montefiore was established in 1895 by a conservative group within Salt Lake City's Jewish community. This Synagogue served as its home for over 70 years.

Front entrance to synagogue.

Now a Christian church.

The old Montefiore Synagogue is now a Christian church.

The building was purchased in the fall of 1987 by Metro-Fellowship, a Christian Church affiliated with Assemblies of God, and renovated by volunteers under the direction of Pastors James Schaedler and Jack Perry.
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At the laying of the cornerstone on August 13, 1903 of the Montefiore Synagogue, Joseph F. Smith and John Henry Smith attended and made a brief address. Later the LDS church donated $650.00 toward the building of the Jewish or "Israelite" Temple.  Apparently the building was completed late in the fall of 1903 and there was a dedicatory service remembered by some. (See Brooks, Juanita, The Jews of Utah.)

When Mark and Cyndy Weiss went to Israel in 2014, they saw the Montefiore windmill in Mishkenot Sha'ananim and learned more of the history of the man behind the name. 

Moses Monefiore

Sir Moses Haim Montefiore, 1st Baronet, FRS (Leghorn, Italy, 24 October 1784 – 28 July 1885) was a British financier and banker, activist, philanthropist and Sheriff of London. Born to an Italian Jewish family, he donated large sums of money to promote industry, business, economic development, education and health amongst the Jewish community in the Levant (modern day Israel), including the founding of Mishkenot Sha'ananim in 1860, the first settlement of the New Yishuv. As President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, his correspondence with the British consul in Damascus Charles Henry Churchill in 1841-42 is seen as pivotal to the development of Proto-Zionism.^[1][2](see details at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_Montefiore).

Montefiore windmill in Mishkenot Sha'ananim in Israel.  We saw this from our bus while in Israel in 2014.

Whenever I drive by the Synagogue on the way up to the University of Utah, I think mostly of faithful Annie.  She died when her great-grandson, Mark Weiss, was 2 years old.  He has no memories of her.  We haven't yet found a link to her Jewish ancestors in Russia (Belorussia) and hope with the indexing of so many new records we can soon make the connection.  Meanwhile, we honor her tradition of righteousness in keeping the commandments of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The Living Spirits of Our Departed Ancestors

Hosts of Heaven

The Living Spirits of Our Departed Ancestors

It is October 31, 2014.  Tonight my 18 month-old grandson will come to my door, dressed in costume, to beg for candy and wonder why his mom makes him wear the uncomfortable wings of this Disney character, “Buzz Lightyear”?

As I walk my dog around in North Logan, we have some pretty amazing fake graveyards showing up at our neighbor’s homes as Halloween décor.  Our friends from Switzerland tell us that Halloween is even becoming a common Swiss celebration.  I wonder why? Is it for the “free treats”, for the chance to dress up in costumes, or because we like to celebrate the paranormal?

Perhaps the elaborate costumes and spooky stories are just a way to try and connect with departed spirits? 

Costume Advertisement from Target

In my favorite movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” we meet a guardian angel who is invisible to all on earth but his assigned earthling. In this Frank Capra classic tale, George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) is visited by Clarence on Christmas Eve.  It is a powerful and moving script beloved by many even 60 years after its filming.

One of the favorite movies of all time!

In the popular TV series “Touched by an Angel” we saw one producer’s idea of how angels minister among the children of men. 

Popular TV series.

Halloween Day causes me to think about the spirits of my departed ancestors.  Mormons believe that spirits “from the other side of the veil” are real and that these ancestors are especially concerned about their descendants living upon the earth.

As I have come to know better the stories of the lives of my departed ancestors, they have become more “real” to me.  I would hope to actually be visited by one of them, but I haven’t…yet.

Angel Moroni from the LDS Nauvoo Temple.

In October 2008, Jeffrey R. Holland gave a classic talk to Latter-day Saints titled:  “The Ministry of Angels”  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-ministry-of-angels?lang=eng

“God knew the challenges (his children) would face, and He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets (and later apostles) to teach, counsel, and guide them.

“But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near.

“Indeed, shortly after Adam and Eve found themselves in the lone and dreary world, an angel appeared unto them, ² who taught them the meaning of their sacrifice and the atoning role of the promised Redeemer who was to come.

“From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children.

The Angel Moroni, a messenger who appeared to Joseph Smith in the 1820's, is typically found on the spires of Mormon temples around the world.

“Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.”  (Holland)

I believe in ministering angels.  I have always loved this scripture that is one of the LDS church President Thomas S. Monson’s favorites:

“I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” D&C 84:88

For me, it is comforting to exercise faith in angels who are sent forth to deliver messages. (See Book of Mormon Alma 12:29, D&C 29:42).  Angels also "take home" the departed and greet the departed in a kind of reception (Alma 40:11-12). My mother, who is on Hospice care, will surely be escorted by family members into her "next life" and received there by her loved ones.  (See Book of Mormon Alma 40:11-12). 

One of my sisters has shared the very real experience of her father’s arms around her in a time of deep despair.

My son has strongly felt the spirit of his grandfather.

My husband has wondered if Chase ancestors have been instrumental in his generation returning  to the faith of their ancestors.

When Max Weiss departed earth life, his spirit left the room of his Salt Lake home in a way that his granddaughter, Rose Cross, noticed as very unusual.  (Recording in possession of Mark Weiss.)

Nauvoo Temple with horizontal Angel Moroni.

I have personally had very intense dreams where my angels flew in a horizontal fashion.  For that reason I love the angel weather vane originally on the top of the Nauvoo Temple.

I’m sure I could gather many other family stories to add here.

“Always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.” (Holland)

Mormon angels don't usually have wings but the concept of transporting from place to place is symbolized here by wings.

I believe in the reality of the living spirits of our departed ancestors.  I haven’t seen them, but I have felt their guidance and the presence of the member of the Godhead that Christians call “The Holy Ghost”.  

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:

“I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness “angels came and ministered unto him.” ⁸ Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time. As Mormon said to his son Moroni, who would one day be an angel:

“Has the day of miracles ceased?

“Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?

“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for … it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. …

“For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.” ⁹

Halloween is celebrated for many reasons, but I am celebrating my belief that my departed ancestors are really very much alive in another realm.  

Happy Halloween!

 I believe in times of special need, God sends “His angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close, and that His help was always very near.” (Holland)

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[For more about about Mormon beliefs regarding angels, go to Encyclopedia of Mormonism found here:  http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Angels.

 Angels Angels: Archangels Angels: Guardian Angels The first article discusses the nature of angels as pertaining to their ministry to people on the earth, showing that different classes perform different types of service. The second article examines a hierarchy among angels, and identifies Michael as an archangel. The last article explores the concept of guardian angels, and examines what the scriptures and the Brethren have said. It proposes the Holy Spirit as a type of guardian angel. ]