FIND OUT: how long it took to walk to shul on Shabbat
Gerry Lerman remembers walking to the Taylor Street Shul, and a special memory of "The Catch" from Rosh Hashanah 5715.
The original location for the Hebrew Orthodox Congregation was often referred to as the “Taylor Street Shul.” The congregation was organized in 1887 and met in various locations, including the home of Louis Feldman at what is now 720 Western Avenue. The congregation moved from an old kosher meat market in 1916 when the group purchased this building, which was originally an old house.
Watch the video below to hear HOC congregant Gerry Lerman remember what it was like going to shul as a young person.
The congregation worshiped here from 1922 through 1970 when they relocated to South High Street. This building is now the Sweet Home Baptist Church. You can see the two Stars of David and the Hebrew lettering still survive.
Gerry Lerman remembers an eventful Rosh Hashanah for Major League Baseball:
“I remember on Rosh Hashanah in 1954, we had to take breaks. So, during the break, we walked over to Sears (formerly located at the corner of Western and Lafayette), but at that time people didn't have many TVs, and they had the whole line of TVs on in the showroom. So, we went to watch the World Series during the service. I remember it very well. I'll never forget, as a matter of fact. I saw the famous catch by Willie Mays, the over shoulder catch. This was a tremendous ball hit by Vic Wertz. It was played in the Polo Grounds. The stadium was about 257 feet down the right field line, 297 feet down left field and straight center field was 485 feet to hit over the wall. This guy must have hit about 470 feet and Willie Mays made this great run, over shoulder catching the ball and this fantastic throw. I saw that happen and this was on Rosh Hashanah during break.”
Click here to see “The Catch” by Willie Mays from the 1954 World Series.
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