1923
The exact date of the Congregation's founding is uncertain. However, by 1923, a group known as Chevra Adath Israel had organized and held its first services in a store on Monroe Street, Passaic. It was the first synagogue to be established in Passaic west of the Erie Railroad tracks (now the Main Avenue mall).

1925
The Congregation was incorporated as Chevra Adath Israel on Tuesday, December 8, 1925 (the incorporation papers are in the Synagogue's vault!). For several years the Congregation collected pennies, nickels and dimes for a building fund which culminated in the purchase of a lot at Tulip and Montgomery Streets. A one-story structure was built and High Holiday services were first conducted in the new building in 1928.

1935
In 1935, a group of dedicated young men, consisting primarily of local clothing contractors, spearheaded a movement to complete the upper stories of the synagogue on Tulip street, which eventually was accomplished in 1937. Ten years later, the Congregation celebrated the burning of its mortgage.

1938
In 1938, Adas engaged its first rabbi, Rabbi Leon Katz, a recent Smicha graduate of Yeshiva University. Unlike many Orthodox rabbis at the time, Rabbi Katz's primary language was English. Rabbi Katz would remain as the Congregation's spiritual leader for 46 years.

One of Rabbi Katz's first acts was the establishment of the Tifereth Tzvi Hebrew School, the first congregational school in the city. (The school was named after the father of Mr. Louis Cooper, a prominent member.) Previously, children in Passaic's Second Ward had received their Hebrew education in a private school at Madison Street, corner Myrtle Avenue, under the direction of Mr. Hyman Witty. The private school was merged into the Congregation's school in 1938, and Mr. Witty became a mainstay of the faculty. Many of today's "old time Passaicites" remember Mr. Witty well.

Men's Club - 1942
The Men's Club was founded in 1942. For many years, in addition to its fund raising activities on behalf of the Synagogue, it sponsored monthly Sunday morning breakfasts. Many of the leaders of the Congregation initially became active in the Men's Club. In recent years the Men's Club was reactivated for a brief period of time.

Young Women's Cultural Group
The Young Women's Cultural Group was organized in 1944. At some point, the organization became known as the Parent-Teachers' Cultural Group, and consisted mostly of the mothers of the Hebrew School students. In addition to being generally younger than their counterparts in the Ladies' Auxiliary, there was another significant difference. In the PTCG, English was spoken; at the Auxiliary, Yiddish was the lingua franca. In the early Fifties, the Cultural Group greatly expanded its membership and became today's Sisterhood. In recent years the Sisterhood has been responsible for redecorating the Sanctuary and refurbishing the Ballroom.

1943
In 1943, the Congregation formed, in memory of one of its most prominent members, The Israel Kleinman Memorial Foundation for Higher Hebrew Education. The lot adjacent to the synagogue was purchased for construction of a Hebrew School, but because of the war, the plans were temporarily shelved.

1946
On February 17, 1946, Rabbi Katz married Rhea Herzog of New York. As a wedding gift, the Congregation presented Rabbi Katz with a life contract.

1950
After World War II, Passaic's Jewish population began to shift to the city's Third Ward. In 1950, building plans for Tulip Street were abandoned, and a house at 316 Van Houten Avenue was purchased. Services and afternoon classes were held there in addition to those at Tulip Street.

1955
The Van Houten Avenue site proved to be inadequate for the planned expansion, and on May 29,1955, the Congregation purchased property at 565-573 Broadway. A fund raising drive was launched to erect a new synagogue center at that location.

At the same time, The Passaic Hebrew Institute was looking for a new site for its Hillel Academy Day School. In March of 1957 the two organizations reached an agreement. The original building plans were augmented to accommodate the needs of the school. Hillel contributed $90,000 to help meet the added costs. The total cost of the building now reached a half million dollars.

1957
Ground was broken for the Adas Israel Synagogue Center on May 5, 1957. On September 6,1958, at midnight, the first Selichoth service was held in the yet incomplete sanctuary. The cornerstone was laid on October 12, 1958, and the dedication ceremonies were held during the weekend of September 18-20, 1959. Adas Israel had become the first Passaic congregation to move from the older part of town to the Third Ward.

1966
Dedication ceremonies were held on September 25, 1966 for the Louis and Fannie Simkin Beth Midrash, a gift of the David Tannenbaum and Simkin families. The Simkin Chapel is used daily for services and for regular classes and meetings. The parking lot adjacent to the synagogue was acquired in 1969. However, it was not until May 2, 1971, when the beautiful stained glass windows were finally installed, that the building could be called complete.

From the opening of the Van Houten Avenue "Annex" in 1950, the Congregation had maintained two houses of worship. Rabbi Katz would spend alternate Sabbaths in each synagogue. Gradually, however, more and more of the Congregation's activities were held at the new Synagogue Center. At the same time, the neighborhood near the original building had deteriorated, and attendance dwindled. The Congregation regretfully agreed to close its original home and sell the property in 1969.

1972
In 1972, recognizing the declining enrollment in its Hebrew School, and its responsibility to provide a Jewish education to the community's youth, Adas Israel, along with three other congregations in the vicinity, organized the Inter-Congregational Hebrew School of the Passaic-Clifton Area. The Inter-Congregational School would remain open until June 1987.

1984
After a lifetime of dedicated service, Rabbi Katz retired in June 1984, and was named Rabbi Emeritus. That July another Smicha graduate of Yeshiva University, Rabbi Dr. Solomon F. Rybak, was appointed as the Congregation's spiritual leader. He moved into the community with his wife, Shoshana, and their three children.

Ladies' Auxiliary
An important aspect of the life of a congregation is the activities of its affiliated organizations. The Ladies' Auxiliary of Congregation Adas Israel began in the distant past, most likely, shortly after the founding of the Congregation itself. Over the years, the Auxiliary's rummage store brought in thousands of dollars. Among other projects, its members would prepare latkes (fresh, not frozen) for the Hebrew School Chanukah party.

1993
Other changes have occurred as well. In 1993, Mr. William Shapiro, who had faithfully served the congregation as Executive Director for over three decades, asked to retire. In the eyes of many members and friends, "Willie" was the personification of Adas Israel. His retirement became official on Feb. 28, 1994, although he continued to serve part time until the end of 1995. A gala testimonial brunch was held in his honor on October 16, 1994. He became Executive Director Emeritus. In October 1995, Mr. Shapiro was elected as the first (and only) life time member of the Congregation's Board of Trustees.

1995
Cantor Sholomo Singer retired in June 1995 as well. He was named Cantor Emeritus. In addition to his responsibilities as Cantor, he was hired 28 years earlier as a teacher for the Congregation's Hebrew School. When the Congregation's afternoon school was merged into the Inter-Congregational School in the early '70s, the Cantor was given the additional charge as Youth Director. (Cantor Singer served for a time as Principal of the Inter-Congregational School.) Under his guidance, the Congregation sponsored NCSY youth groups attracted teens from the entire community. In later years, his Torah Sessions for adults inspired a number of young men to adopt a Torah lifestyle.

On May 14, 1995, the Congregation honored Rabbi and Rebbetzen Rybak for a decade of service to the synagogue and the community. The gala dinner was well attended and was accompanied by a very successful ad journal. On February 25, 1996, Rabbi and Rebbetzen Katz celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the ballroom.

Rabbi Leon Katz, our esteemed Rabbi for many years, passed away in 2000.

Today
In the last decade or so many longtime members have moved to warmer climates. Others unfortunately are no longer with us. Younger families, however, have moved into the community, joined the congregation, and taken leadership roles. However it remains important to our congregation to maintain strong bonds between old and new. The present is a strong link between our past and future. We are here to meet the spiritual and social needs of both our longtime members and the new families who have recently joined.

As part of our efforts to update and move into the 21st Century, we have recently renovated and replaced the lighting in our beautiful main shul. This project has truly enhanced our services and simchas. This project was supported by the generous donations of The Greenwald Family, in memory of Eddie Greenwald, A"H, The Levenson Family, in memory of Hawley Cohen Levenson, A"H, The Adas Israel Sisterhood, The Gold Family, and many other generous supporters listed on the plaque adorning our front lobby. We extend our gratitude and thanks to all who have contributed to this project.

The synagogue continues to grow and thrive, through the efforts of the Adas Israel Board of Trustees led into the 21st Century by its Presidents, Jack Wachsstock (1998-2001), Jerry Glazer (2001-2003), and Heshy Greenfeld (2003-Present). All hard working individuals, who maintain the Adas Israel's fine reputation as a bastion of Modern Orthodoxy and Zionism in Northern New Jersey, by providing the membership with various religious and social services and activities, as well as a forum for individuals from outside of Passaic, especially Israel to gather support and affiliation.

2004 marked another milestone in the history of Adas Israel. In May 2004 at The Adas Israel Annual Dinner, members and friends of Adas Israel celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Rabbi Dr. Solomon, and Dr. Shoshana Rybak, as our Rabbi and Rebbitzen. They were saluted for their leadership and efforts on behalf of Adas Israel and the Passaic/Clifton Jewish Community. It is through their dedication and efforts that Adas Israel continues to meet the educational and spiritual needs of our growing community. They are role models of Torah and acts of tzedakah and chessed. We look forward to many more years of their guidance, leadership and inspiration.

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