History of the UJC
History of the UJC
In its more than 90 years of existence, The United Jewish Center (UJC) has served the Greater Danbury area as a unique liberal congregation with an eye toward tradition, serving the spiritual, social, educational, and religious needs of the area's Jewish community.
In 1926, a charter group of 31 members signed the original roster and began worshipping in the West Street home of Henry Dick, who became the first president of the newly-formed UJC. The UJC had been launched in spite of the limited surroundings with no provisions for a religious or Hebrew school. After adding a brick sanctuary to the home on West Street, congregants continued to worship at that location for 28 years.
In 1935, Jerome Malino assumed rabbinical leadership of the congregation, which continued to flourish spiritually and culturally. In 1941, Martin Haspel became the second president of the UJC. During his tenure, the mortgage on the West Street building was paid off and burned. By the late 1940s, it became apparent that the congregation, which numbered 150 families, needed a new, larger building.
In 1947, under the leadership of president Leroy Paltrowitz, a committee met to plan a course of action and acquired our current site on Deer Hill Avenue. It was decided that a new building could be built without a mortgage. Funds were pledged and collected; and on November 16, 1953, ground was broken on Deer Hill Avenue for the new synagogue. In 1961, the new United Jewish Center Cemetery in Brookfield was acquired to succeed the nearly full Miry Brook Cemetery, providing space for 10,000 graves on thirty acres of beautiful land; and in 1964 a new wing housing the Dick Chapel was constructed, funded entirely by donations. This wing provided an air-conditioned, 125-seat chapel, three classrooms, the Education Director's office and the Sisterhood Judaica shop.
The UJC membership voted to affiliate with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) in 1975. In 1977, Rabbi Robert Levine was retained as Religious School Principal and Assistant Rabbi, and quickly impressed the congregation as a committed, caring, and intelligent leader.
In 1981, after 45 years of devoted service, Rabbi Malino retired and was named Rabbi Emeritus. Since then, the UJC has been guided by many remarkable rabbis: Rabbi Robert Levine, Rabbi Paul Golumb, Rabbi Brad Boxman, Rabbi Clifford E. Librach. and Rabbi Stefan Tiwy.
Our distinguished cantors included Cantor Sam Radwine, Cantor Alan Leider (a student cantor at the time), Cantor Donald Roberts (z"l), and Cantor Thom King. Cantor Penny Kessler was called to our pulpit in July 1995 and has served the UJC since that time. In 2020, Cantor Kessler assumed the role of Senior Clergy.
The UJC continues to thrive, and after nearly ten decades, we are growing again. This year we have instituted a policy of a free school and graduated membership fees. We provide pre-school through Confirmation classes for children and continuing education for adults. Our adult education offerings include Introduction to Judaism and Beginning Hebrew and adult b'nai mitzvah classes, and many opportunities for lifelong learning experiences. We are committed to social action and work with the Association of Religious Communities (ARC) to aid the greater Danbury community.
We are proud to stand as a vibrant, warm, and approachable place to practice Judaism for all of us and for the generations that follow.
Wed, October 4 2023
19 Tishrei 5784
UJC Religious School
Registration is now available for 2023/2024 school year.
Please complete forms immediately so that we may plan accordingly.
UJC Podcast Series
UJC Event Videos
Rabbi Felicia Sol & Prof. Adam Sol: "The Hill We Climb" by Amanda Gorman - Poetry, Exegesis, and Imagining a Better World.
https://youtu.be/vp_tPfz9_MI
Judith Altmann: Stories of a Holocaust Survivor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Three Amigos: Our Abraham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
The UJC Shabbat Services are now in person (and online)!
For log-in information, check your UJC emails or email office@unitedjewishcenter.org for more information.
Join Our Mailing List
UJC COVID-19 Update February 2023
The United Jewish Center building is OPEN! Services are being held Friday nights at 7pm and Saturday mornings at 10:00 am in person and online. Congregation members should check their email for online access instructions.
Following CDC guidelines, please use your discretion about wearing masks and social distancing.
PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE at (203) 748-3355 or email office@unitedjewishcenter.org if you have any questions or need assistance.
Today's Calendar
Chol HaMo-eid Sukkot |
UJC Adult Education tour of The Aldrich Museum : 1:00pm |
Hebrew School for 6 & 7th Grade Only (First Wednesday) : 4:30pm |
Friday Night
Candle Lighting : 6:10pm |
UJC Shabbat Evening Service - In-person and Virtual : 7:00pm |
Simchat Torah Celebration : 7:00pm |
Shabbat Day
UJC Shabbat Morning Service-virtual and in person : 10:00am |
Havdalah : 7:16pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Oct 4 UJC Adult Education tour of The Aldrich Museum Wednesday, Oct 4 1:00pm |
Oct 4 Hebrew School for 6 & 7th Grade Only (First Wednesday) Wednesday, Oct 4 4:30pm |
Oct 6 Simchat Torah Celebration Friday, Oct 6 7:00pm |
Oct 8 No Religious School - Columbus Day Weekend Sunday, Oct 8 9:00am |
Oct 11 Hebrew School for 6 & 7th Grade Only Wednesday, Oct 11 4:00pm |
Candle Lighting
Friday, Oct 6, 6:10pm |
Havdalah
Motzei Shabbat, Oct 7, 7:16pm |
Chol HaMo-eid Sukkot
Wednesday, Oct 4 |