CLARKSBURG  -  HARRISON COUNTY -  WEST VIRGINIA              

Former Tree of Life Congregation

Photos - Julian H. Preisler - 1991

architectural drawing of the Jewish Community Center addition

from: "West Virginia Jewry: Origins & History 1850-1958"

The Tree of Life Congregation was established in 1939 through the merger of the original Tree of Life Congregation (Orthodox 1917) and the Temple Emanuel Congregation (Reform 1914). The newly merged group chose to affiliate with the Conservative movement in Judaism as a compromise between Orthodoxy and Reform. A former Presbyterian church was purchased in 1939 and converted into a synagogue and community center. Because of dwindling membership and high maintenance costs, the Tree of Life Congregation decided to close in 2004 and its building is being sold. Artifacts and Torahs will be donated to other congregations. While a few Jewish families remain in the area, they will most likely affiliate with the synagogues in nearby Morgantown, WV or Uniontown, PA.

          Click HERE for more data on the Clarksburg Jewish Community         

         Click HERE for a link to the article: "The Jews of Clarksburg" by Deborah Wiener        

Wally's Men's Store 312 Pike Street, ca. 1935 - Courtesy of Bill Adler

Jewish-Owned Stores & Businesses

Aaron’s Shoe Store - 312 W. Pike St,, 142 E. Pike St. - Established in 1915? By the father of Robert Aaron who later ran the business.

Adler’s ? Mens Clothing - Established prior to 1900, closed in the 1950's

Bloch’s Tailor - Jacob & Emma Bloch

Broida’s Ladies Specialty Clothing - 130 S. Fourth St., 136 S. Third St., 1935-

Caplan’s Jewelry - 318 W. Pike St., 1917-

Jacob Cohen & Son Department Store - 327 West Main

Joseph H. Cohen Department Store - 343-345 & 357-359 West Main

Jacob Fine Shoemaker - Bridge near Pike, Shinnston

Harry Friedberg Furniture - 215 S. Third St.

Friedlander’s - 119 S. Fourth (Ladies Ready-To-Wear), Established by Max Friedlander and later owned and operated by Albert Rosen.

Hiller’s Furniture Store - 132-134 Street, Louis & Minnie Hiller

The Hub Men’s Clothing - 327 W. Pike, Samuel Markowitz

Jacob Jacob’s Menswear - 1091/2 N. Fourth Street

Joseph Kaplan Tailor - 320 W. Main Street

Isaac Levy Tailor - 212 Latstetter Building, 226-230 W. Pike Street

Benjamin Lefkowitz Grocery - 1117 N. 16^th, North View

Marko Market - Groceries - 410 W. Pike Street, Louis Markowitz

Mister B’s Big & Tall Store - owned and operated by Donald Berman

The Men’s Shop - 324 & 328 W. Main Street - Morris Markowitz Family and Isadore Aaron

Maurice Nussbaum Clothing - 1881-1927

I. Nusbaum & Son - Books, Stationary, Flowers & Novelties (Isaac & Simie) - 308 W. Main St., 1880's-1953

Nusbums, Inc. Men’s & Ladies Clothing -134-136 S. Third Street. Emanuel & Mollie Nusbaum

Nusbaum’s Shoes - 306 W. Main Street.

Oak Mound Bank - Organized in 1979 by Bernard Gottlieb. Served as Chairman of the Board.

Rosen’s Quality Shop - Established in 1912 by George Rosen. Located on the "present site" (1955) of the Arcade Building

George Rosen & Son - 351 W. Main Street. Operators of the Smart, Fashion and Style Shops in Central West Virginia. Women’s Clothing.

Rosenberg’s Ladies Specialty & Furrier - 122 S. Fourth St., 1927-1966

Rosenshine Furniture Store - Meyer & Dora Rosenshine. Started out as a junk dealer prior to 1907.

Myers Siegel - pawn shop and theatre

Jacob Slaven Jewelry - 329 West Pike Street

Scrap Yard - Wimer Family

S. Winer & Company Men’s Clothing - 332 W. Pike Street, Simon & Lena Winer

Wally's Men's Clothing - 312 Pike Street, ca. 1935

Abraham W. Wolk Men’s Clothing - 131 S. Fourth Street

Wolk-Tietelbaum Company - Men’s Clothing - 114-116 S. Third Street, J. Meyer Wolk & Jack Teitelbaum

Workingman’s Store - 328 W. Pike St., Berman Family 1933-

       More Photos & Information Coming Soon     

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