Family Stories: Frank & Ilse Altman

Go West, Young (Alt) Man

The most famous Jewish migration in history — from Egypt to Israel — was a west to east movement.  Frank and Ilse Altman traveled in the opposite direction to get to Traditional Congregation.  “I had built a congregation in East St. Louis many years ago,” Frank recalls, “and eventually our numbers dwindled, and we closed the doors.”  When they looked around in St. Louis for a place to live, they decided it had to be within walking distance to a synagogue, and it wasn’t long before they settled down at Traditional.

The attraction to this congregation was easy for Ilse: “We loved the people here; so many people found a place in our hearts.  And on top of that Rabbi and Esther Zimand became important parts of our lives.  Even now, Rabbi and Marian Gordon — and their beautiful children — make us feel as if we’re part of their family.”

At Traditional, Frank is well known for tutoring scores of students and never charging them.  “My father told me that I never paid him for what he taught me, so I have never charged — and still won’t charge — for anyone who wants to learn.  I’m meeting with someone later today to teach him how to daven minchah.”

Ilse quickly lists her most cherished features of Traditional Congregation—the love she’s received from her fellow congregants and the involvement of the children in the service—but then she mentions the plain enthusiasm she finds each week.  “When services are over, people stay at the Kiddush a long time.  They don’t go home.  Maybe it’s because once a week they consider this synagogue their second home.”  Frank concurs: “I shake every hand I can find here, because I want everyone to know that I am their friend, whether they’ve come here for 30 years or just a week.  Everyone here is a part of my family.”