The History of Congregation B'nai Moshe
On September 2, 1911, nine Hungarian Jewish men gathered with a bold and heartfelt vision: to establish a synagogue that would preserve and carry forward the treasured traditions of their European heritage. Although they were one man short of a traditional minyan, their faith, determination, and unity propelled them forward. They named their new congregation “Bait Eliyahu,” in honor of Elias Einzig, a respected community member whose devotion inspired their efforts.
The early years were humble yet full of promise. After meeting in rented rooms and then a small house, the congregation quickly grew to seventy families. By 1917, with limited resources but abundant spirit, they built their first permanent synagogue at Garfield and Beaubien in Detroit. When financial challenges threatened the new building, Mr. Einzig selflessly offered to sell the naming rights to secure the congregation’s future. The sons of Moshe Gunsberg stepped forward with the highest contribution, and the synagogue became known as “B’nai Moshe” — the Sons of Moshe.
The congregation continued to thrive and evolve. In 1929, B’nai Moshe moved to a beautiful new home at Dexter and Lawrence in northwest Detroit, becoming a vibrant hub of Jewish life. In 1934, it strengthened its presence even further by merging with the Detroit Hungarian Hebrew Congregation. As families began migrating to the suburbs in the 1950s, B’nai Moshe moved with them, establishing a new home at Ten Mile and Kenosha in Oak Park in 1959.
In June 1992, the congregation embarked on its next great chapter, relocating to its current home in West Bloomfield. Just five years later, the building expanded once again with the addition of a school wing to support a growing community. In 2011, Congregation Beit Kodesh merged with B’nai Moshe, bringing together two proud histories and strengthening the shared legacy.
Today, more than a century after those nine founders first gathered, Congregation B’nai Moshe continues to honor their dream—rooted in tradition, enriched by community, and guided by enduring faith.
The History of Congregation Beit Kodesh
The story of Beit Kodesh began in 1958, when Livonia was just beginning to grow and Jewish families were planting new roots in the western suburbs.
A small, pioneering group came together to hold Shabbat services in the Clarenceville Central Elementary School. Soon, gatherings moved into members’ homes, and that year’s High Holy Day services drew an impressive 200 people to the historic Botsford Inn in Farmington—clear proof that a permanent congregation was ready to emerge.
In 1959, the group formally established itself as the Livonia Jewish Congregation. As membership expanded beyond Livonia, the congregation embraced a new identity and, in 1990, adopted the name Beit Kodesh. It proudly stood as the only Conservative synagogue in Western Wayne County, serving a diverse and growing community.
During its early years, the congregation worshiped in a variety of temporary spaces, each representing a step in its steady growth: a farmhouse on Seven Mile Road, a tent on the grounds of the Botsford Inn, Carpenter’s Hall in Redford, and a church on Six Mile Road. Finally, in 1971, Beit Kodesh found a long-term home in the Molly and Samuel Cohn Building on West Seven Mile Road in Livonia—a space filled with warmth, tradition, and community spirit.
Beit Kodesh was enriched by devoted rabbinic leadership throughout its history. Rabbi Steinberg guided the congregation in its early years, followed by Rabbi Martin Gordon, who shepherded the community with dedication for 22 years (1967–1989). Rabbi Craig Allen then led Beit Kodesh from 1990 to 1998, helping the congregation continue its proud legacy of faith, learning, and togetherness.
Read The Jewish News article about the Last Shabbat at Beit Kodesh
Together, the histories of B’nai Moshe and Beit Kodesh tell a story of resilience, faith, and community. From humble beginnings in rented rooms and makeshift spaces, to thriving congregations that came together as one, our shared past continues to shape a vibrant present—and inspire a promising future.