The 1950s
In 1950, a new Torah was purchased and presented to the synagogue in honour of Isaac Cadesky’s 90th birthday. Its cost was reported to be $1390. On the day it was dedicated, the community formed a festive procession. The Torah was carried down Third Avenue from 10th Street and into the synagogue. In the same year, Rabbi Manfred Levison came to Owen Sound from Welland, together with his wife Rega and their three children. Their oldest daughter, Miriam, fell in love with Mike Rabovsky and the two were married. The Levisons left Owen Sound after two years. Rabbi Emil Klein was hired as his replacement. Klein served from 1953 to 1957 and was well-liked by the congregation. Miriam Levison stayed on to be with her husband and became a pillar of the Owen Sound Jewish community.
People worked hard to raise funds for the synagogue and to pay off the mortgage. In 1952, a mortgage-burning party was organized. In 1954, synagogue by-laws were written; they remained unchanged until 2004. By 1955, synagogue membership had reached 31 families. That same year, the community lost one of its most devoted leaders when Isaac Cadesky died in August, 1955, at the age of 94.
