History of Akron's Jewish Community

by Dr. Helga Kaplan

In the year that Akron received its charter, a small group of Jewish men established the Akron Hebrew Association to meet their religious, educational and social needs. These German-speaking people, many of whom were prominent Akron merchants, laid the groundwork for Jewish community life in Akron in the pioneering period between 1865 and 1885.

The following four decades marked the period of greatest expansion and institutional development within the local Jewish community. The dramatic influx of East European Jews increased population figures some forty-fold to estimates ranging form 6,500 to 7,500.

The Jewish organizational life evolved, including numerous synagogues, schools, fraternal and self-help lodges, women’s groups and such major institutions as the Jewish Social Service Federation and the Akron Jewish Center.

This period of preoccupation with internal adjustment was followed by a time of concern for communal survival in the face of the external pressures produced by the Depression and World War II.

Finally, the post-war period has been characterized by widespread movement to the outskirts and suburbs of the city, consolidation of religious institutions and the general incorporation into the community.

Throughout its history the Akron Jewish community has made many choices regarding its religious and communal life styles. Religion has retained its role as a central identifying principle of the community.

Ethnic bases of religious affiliation however, have been supplanted by denominational ties (Reform, Orthodox and Conservative) While orthodoxy is less visible and the total number of synagogues has been reduced, overall membership figures have increased and encompassed a large proportion of the community.

For the most part institutional coverage has increased to serve every younger and older clients. Today the Jewish community operates under the umbrella of the Jewish Community Board of Akron, Inc.

Both Jewish and American, members of the community have maintained primary group associations and supported their own institutions, while at the same time actively participating in the work, political, civic and cultural worlds of the greater Akron community.

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