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Emanuel Synagogue has been blessed throughout its long history with many loyal
families. One family, the Bloom Family, has symbolized Jewish life in its finest tradition
for over 80 years.
Isaac and Annie Bloom, of blessed memory, were married in Coalgate, Oklahoma,
(then Indian Territory) in 1896. For many years, Mr. Bloom operated a general
merchandise store in Holdenville. Two sons and two daughters were born there.
Holdenville was a small town and by 1910 the Blooms were the only Jewish family left.
So they decided it was time to move to Oklahoma City.
Annie Bloom was disappointed when she found that a city the size of Oklahoma City
had only a one-room Shule and no Talmud Torah. She and her friend, Hoda
Karchmer, began traveling from engagement party to Bar Mitzvah and weddings
collecting the $50 a month needed to pay a Hebrew teacher. Annie Bloom was active
in all phases of Synagogue life. She was responsible for the founding of Emanuel
Hebrew Cemetery in 1938. She was also instrumental in organizing the Talmud Torah
in 1924.
Esther Bloom, youngest in the family, continued the family tradition of service to the
Synagogue. Esther helped with the services for the Junior Congregation for many
years. She also worked on the Rosh Chodesh luncheons for the children in Junior
Congregation.
Esther Bloom attended public schools in Oklahoma City and was graduated from
Central High School. She received a B.A. degree in Education from the University of
Oklahoma. For a time she did substitute teaching in the city schools. She taught
Sunday School in the old Shule at Reno and Dewey and continued another year when
the new Education building was opened in the present location.
In the 1950's a summer program called Vacation Bible School was organized for
children from Kindergarten through 33rd grade. Esther volunteered to teach the third
grade.
In March 1970, the Bloom family donated a Sefer Torah to the Synagogue in loving
memory of daughter, Sarah. A beautiful ceremony took place in the Sanctuary
dedicating the new Torah.
In 1973, Esther began helping with the cookie baking for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. She
became known as the "official packer." No Bar or Bat Mitzvah took place without her
help in carefully packing the cookies for the freezer.
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For 20 years Esther devoted herself to the care of her ailing mother. Following her
beloved mother's death in March 1972, she continued to make a home for her brother,
Moses. Esther was appointed to the Board of Directors of Emanuel Synagogue to
serve the unexpired term of her brother, Moses, who died in November 1975.
In June 1993, through the efforts of Esther Bloom, the Ark from the old Shule was
restored and installed in the entry hall of the Synagogue. Shirley Wasserman,
President of the Synagogue, and Rabbi Charles Shalman dedicated the Ark, fulfilling
Esther's dream of bringing the Ark back to the Synagogue.
Esther Bloom was generous in her gifts to the Synagogue. She gave large gifts to the
Endowment Fund, but always insisted that they be made anonymously, never wanting
any praise or thanks from the congregation.
She died September 7, 1997. In her will, she left her estate to Emanuel Synagogue in
memory of her mother and father, Annie and Isaac Bloom, for the education of
children in the congregation.
"May her memory be for a blessing."
— Adell Alpern, November 2000
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