The Jewish Encyclopedia
of Western Pennsylvania
A project of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center
Rabbi Sidney Riback enlisted in the Army during World War II, and House of Israel Congregation in Sharon searched for a replacement. This letter from the Jewish Community Service Bureau of the Yeshiva College suggests that the congregation, which had initially practiced Judaism in the Orthodox tradition, was increasingly liberal in its religious practices. The congregation eventually hired Rabbi Michael Kurz, who had been ordained within the Conservative movement and also spoke Yiddish.