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Upon his 2007 installation as president of Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron Ezras Israel, 2015 S. Fourth St., Rich Sisman told his fellow believers to give him six months to overturn the synagogue’s architectural and financial woes. Six years after his proclamation, the 55-year-old is touting the rejuvenation of the 104-year-old worship site, with inclusion in spring’s Hidden City Philadelphia 2013 Festival as the latest boon.
“I’m just stubborn,” the Elkins Park resident, who grew up on the 2000 block of South Fourth Street and made the convenient commute to the spiritual haunt until his family’s 1973 move to Northeast Philly, said. “I would have hated to see a synagogue closed down.”
Using Hillel the Elder, who noted “If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I?” as inspiration, the devout Jew intervened when the space seemed destined for demolition, forging and strengthening alliances to secure funds and favor, including that of Councilman-at-Large James Kenney, who lived close to the location as a boy. Having had the city’s largest Jewish community prior to World War II, South Philly has witnessed an uptick in Jewish residents recently, according to Sisman, with his haven having sought to welcome their wishes for wisdom.
“I would love to see it have a community center identity, so Hidden City, during which people were in and out for numerous events, was the icing on the cake,” the technical consultant affiliated with Hewlett-Packard said of the six-week celebration of often-overlooked havens. “My main objective, though, is having regular services here; that’s the real meat and potatoes.”
Sisman has called on the congregation’s successful festival presence to obtain donations and next month will distribute postcards to try to draw attendees for services. Having rekindled his love for the place 15 years ago upon driving through his old neighborhood, he believes he must continue to work tirelessly to bolster what he tabs “the last of the last.” With ideas abounding, including one for a January-commencing speakers series, he credits his allegiance to his faith as that which could not let him part with an integral element of its formation.
“I think of that quote from ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, ‘And you know that you fight for the lost causes harder than for any others,’” Sisman said. “I had to act to save the shul. Now I’m poised to see it thrive again.”
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
2013 Difference Makers
/ Bruce Baldwin / Anthony Benedetto Sr. / Lou Berman / Beth Coleman /
/ Diane DellaVella / Phyllis DiLemmo /
/ Roe and Jim Gallo / Tyrique Glasgow / Ali Hackett / Deborah Holmes /
/ Kat Kendon / Harry McKay / Jaime Pannone / Juanita Perkins-Qui /
/ Gaetano Piccirilli / Megan Rosenbach / Ted Scairato Sr /
/ Rich Sisman / Dan Stevenson / Paula Terreri / Lynn Oakes West / Lawrence Whitaker / Robert Wilbowe / Ilene Wilder /
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