Rabbi Lehrer and school children, circa 1920. Identified persons in the image include Ida Greenband, Anna Lehrer, Frieda Kraines, Greenband (holding the Israel flag), Minnie Schultz, Rabbi Lehrer, Fannie Gordon, Sidney Gordon, and Sam, Harry, and Abe Rubin are the three boys to the right in the front row.

Lazras Lehrer served as rabbi of Congregation Brith Sholem from 1919 to February 1922. Rabbi Lehrer was raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, and brought his wife and daughter, Annie Lehrer, to Ogden, Utah. Rabbi Lehrer was very active in the congregation, holding services for Jewish holidays, teaching religious school to young Jewish members, and hosting memorial services for Jewish soldiers who sacrificed their life during World War I.[1] On May 23, 1919, The Ogden Standard Examiner reported the confirmation of young members of Congregation Brith Sholem that Rabbi Lehrer officiated. Rabbi Lehrer confirmed Fannie Gordon; Harry Rubin; Alex Schultz; Fannie Greenband; his own daughter, Anna; Miss Berkowitz; and Miss Kreines.[2]

During the 1920s, it was common for rabbis of Congregation Brith Sholem to be featured in news articles, providing detailed information about Jewish holidays and important events. On April 23, 1921, one unnamed Ogden Standard-Examiner journalist wrote about the Jewish religious service they attended the night before where Rabbi Lehrer explained Passover and why it is observed by Jews. In explaining the story of Passover, Rabbi Lehrer said:

There was the bone, reminding them of the paschal lamb. There were the bitter herbs, symbolizing the bitterness of bondage; there was the matzos or unleavened bread, respreting [sic] the bread of affliction which they had to taste, and the children were shown the mixture of almonds, apples and cinnamon, emphasizing that through fortitude and endurance even bitterness can be turned into sweetness. Also there was displayed the four cups of wine, teaching that in all four ages we should remember with a joyful spirit the release of our people from Egypt.[3]

As Rabbi Lehrer held his position of the congregation until 1922, he witnessed the construction of its synagogue. As mentioned earlier, historian Ava Kahn understands that the synagogue was the pillar for Jewish communities. The synagogue shares the status of its congregation with other local communities as well as offers them a space to gather and worship with their families and friends. Rabbi Lehrer reiterates this sentiment in a message stated in The Ogden Standard-Examiner on August 20, 1921. Rabbi Lehrer says: ”Let us make now a sanctuary that He may dwell among us and pour His shower of blessings upon all for the synagogue is a house of prayer for all nations.”[4]

On February 13, 1922, Rabbi Lehrer left Ogden, as he was called to three different congregations in the East: Maryland, Michigan, and Wisconsin.[5] Rabbi Lehrer chose to serve at the congregation in Cumberland, Maryland, where his wife and daughter joined him in June 1922.[6]