The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Leni Santoro

When Ben Halpern left Livingston Manor he must have left a piece of his heart behind, for he has been returning ever since to recapture those illusive pieces of a town’s spirit on bits of film which, when printed, become the photographs now on exhibit at the Livingston Manor Free Library. His photographs, only a small portion of which are presently on display, show the essence of one small community within the larger whole, and without meaning to he gives a glimpse into his own nature as well.

The exhibit entitled, “Celebrating a Century of Jewish Presence in Livingston Manor,”  pays homage to that presence. It also pays homage to the synagogue and the congregation of Agudas Achim in Livingston Manor and Halpern’s grandparents and the store that many grandparents, parents, children and visitors still recall with fondness – Sorkin’s Department Store, remembered by all simply as Sorkin’s. 

“In the late nineteenth century,” writes Halpern. “Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe began to settle in Sullivan County. Some came to farm, some came as merchants or peddlers, and others offered a skill they learned in their native lands. In January, 1909, Max Schwartz, a butcher brought his family to Livingston Manor…In April of that year my grandparents, Mottel and Manya Sorkin arrived with their infant daughter, [Halpern’s aunt] Leya.”

“As a teenager in his native Russia,” Halpern’s grandfather had learned the trade of tailor. His mother became a dressmaker. Having contracted tuberculosis and subsequently having recuperated in Liberty where he was cured the family moved to Livingston Manor. Their first store was on lower Main Street, but when they opportunity came along to move the business to Upper Main Street, where the threat of flood damage was less, they so. From 1953, until his father’s death in 1995, Halpern’s parents owned and operated Sorkin’s Department Store. Included in the exhibit at the library are many fine photographs of the store and the town.

But the main focus of the exhibit is the Jewish community and especially the synagogue located on Rock Avenue.

“Prior to the building of the synagogue religious services were held in a privately owned pavilion on the site now occupied by Livingston Manor Central School,” explains Halpern. “…in 1924 the synagogue shown in these photographs was erected…built by Max and Izzie Brooks, father and son who were charter members of the congregation. Worship services were conducted in Hebrew and followed Orthodox practice. However, most families of this community were not themselves practitioners of Orthodox Judaism.”

After World War II, many children of the Jewish immigrants began to leave the area for jobs and education elsewhere. By the time he reached adolescence, says Halpern, a lot had changed.

“My grandparents and most of their peers had passed on; the boarding houses, hotels and Jewish businesses were closing…a once flourishing congregation was now facing the bleak possibility of extinction.”

Eventually it became almost impossible to attract the necessary number of ten males over age thirteen required to conduct Orthodox services on High Holidays. Then between 1970 and 1985 young Jewish families from the city arrived and a “few young Jewish men and women who had grown up in Livingston Manor returned.”

They banded together and began holding services in the synagogue, but followed the liturgy of Reform Judaism.

In 1993, on a visit to the synagogue with his daughter Sarah, Halpern decided to photograph the building “in its entirety and in its context within Livingston Manor.” On subsequent visits he has photographed the schul, the cemetery and added to his photographs of the village and the surrounding area.

“Though the project is far from complete,” says Halpern. “I have decided to share with you those photographs which are dearest to me and will form the nucleus for future work pertaining to Livingston Manor and Sullivan County.”

The exhibit officially opened on Thursday August 6 at the Livingston Manor Library. A reception was held and many lifetime citizens of the Manor were present. In addition to the photographs on exhibit, Halpern – who was present with his wife Olga –  also brought along a book containing copies of many of the photographs he has spent the past twenty or more years taking. Within its pages were a life history of Livingston Manor, the town and its people. Over and over residents exclaimed when a familiar face appeared. And there were many familiar faces bringing joy and sighs of contentment to those who perused its pages.

“Celebrating a Century of Jewish Presence in Livingston Manor” will be on exhibit at the Livingston Manor Free Library located at 92 Main Street, Livingston Manor throughout the summer. The library is open Monday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday 1-5 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 .m., Thursday 1-5 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Returning to His Roots visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.