The house at 2760 Grant Avenue, May 2021.

In 2014 Congregation Brith Sholem purchased the house next door to the synagogue at 2760 Grant Avenue. This allowed the congregation to expand its space as the new house provides more room for congregation activities. Built in 1916, the house has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a large kitchen, dining room, living room, a basement, and a sizeable backyard. Today these rooms are used to accommodate the congregation’s religious education courses for both children and adults, holiday gatherings, and other large events.

Interestingly, the synagogue was given a chance to purchase the house from congregation member Sidney Gordon in the 1980s. Sid owned the house next door and offered to sell it to the congregation, as he noticed an increase in membership and more people attending High Holy worship services, which crowded the synagogue. The congregation declined as they were forming plans to move the congregation to another area in town due to the rise in felonious actions occurring around the synagogue’s neighborhood. Sid sold his house at 2760 Grant Avenue for $7,900.[1]

When the synagogue purchased the house next door, Gary Boyle, building and ground trustee, began doing renovations on the home and the grounds of the synagogue. One of the main renovations for the front yard of the synagogue was removing the large bushes that covered the front and sides of the synagogue’s walls. Gary, along with his sons and other members, removed the bushes and cleaned up the rest of the grounds. After the group removed the bushes, Gary, a member of the congregation since the 1980s, saw the synagogue’s cornerstone for the first time.