9/24/2009:
In 1891, the city of Grand Forks consisted primarily of Scandinavian immigrants. But with the growth of the city, more immigrants came from Eastern Europe and Russia, seeking a better life. The city's Jewish community grew, expanding to 60 families.
One week before Passover in 1891, Rabbi Benjamin Papermaster arrived in Grand Forks. Coming from his hometown of Kovno, Lithuania, Rabbi Papermaster organized the local Jewish community into ‘The Congregation of the Children of Israel' or B'nai Israel.
With a Rabbi and an official congregation, the Jewish community now needed a place of worship. Grand Forks Postmaster and local politician William Budge donated a piece of land to the Jewish community. A synagogue was built at the corner of Second Avenue South and Girard Street, at the cost of $3,000. That corner of Grand Forks, along with surrounding neighborhoods, consisted mainly of Jewish homeowners. On Rosh Hashanah in 1892, the first services were held in the new temple.
Rabbi Papermaster created a tightly knit Jewish community in Grand Forks. Members of the synagogue who started as peddlers now had became local jewelers, clothiers and grocers. They drew others to the synagogue, due to Rabbi Papermaster's drive to help those in need. Rabbi Papermaster, as the only Rabbi in the Red River valley, was called upon to prepare kosher meats, provide Matzo and supplies for Passover, and bring prayer books for area Jews. His duties extended to performing weddings and the occasional bris, as his responsibilities were to every Jewish community in North Dakota that didn't have their own Rabbi.
The Jewish community thrived , due to the leadership of Rabbi Papermaster. High Holy Days drew Jews from all over the state to the synagogue in Grand Forks. The 300-seat temple was standing-room-only for the services, with every inch of floor space used for extra chairs.
Rabbi Papermaster passed away on September 24, 1931. Rabbis came from Devils Lake, Minot and Williston to mourn the death of the much loved Rabbi. Members of the Jewish communities from Winnipeg and St. Cloud, Minnesota arrived for the funeral as well. Protestant church leaders from Grand Forks, along with Mayor E. A. Fladland paid their respects to the Rabbi that had earned the city's respect.
After 43 years as leader to the Grand Forks Jewish community, Rabbi Papermaster's death marked the end of an era. But the B'nai Israel Synagogue in Grand Forks, now in its 117th year, is still going strong.
Dakota Datebook written by Jill Whitcomb
Sources: B'nai Israel Synagogue website- nd002.urj.net/
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/f/r/i/John-R-Friedberg/FILE/0002text.txt (letter from I . Papermaster regarding his father)
Upper Midwest Jewish Archives- http://special.lib.umn.edu/umja/col/reg/dak_34 html