Malden's Jewish Community Mourns, Moves, and Feeds Thousands: A City's Enduring Spirit
Today's news from Malden weaves together remembrance, resilience, and generosity, tracing the long arc of a city shaped by faith, neighborliness, and the willingness to adapt. From the passing of two individuals whose lives were rooted in Malden's Jewish community, to a historic congregation choosing renewal over closure, to a decades-old tradition of feeding those in need, these stories reflect a city whose bonds run across generations.
Malden Native Irving Belansky, a Pillar of Reform Judaism, Dies at 94
Irving Belansky, who was born in Malden on January 2, 1931, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, surrounded by his family. Over the course of his life he rose to serve as President of Temple Isaiah in Lexington, the Northeast Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, and the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts — a record of leadership that left a lasting imprint on Reform Jewish life in the region. Those who knew him remembered his humor, his sense of style, his wisdom, and a signature phrase — 'nevah bettah' — that became something of a personal trademark. He believed, by his own articulation, that a good life was built on meaning, purpose, joy, and shalom. Irving is survived by his children Aaron and Elaine, and by five grandchildren: Satchel, Kendall, Maya, Lowell, and Talia. A funeral was held at Temple Isaiah in Lexington, and those wishing to honor his memory may donate to the temple's L'Dor VaDor Fund. [1]
🤝 Phyllis Kline, Lifelong Malden Resident and Temple Tifereth Israel Stalwart, Passes at Nearly 99
Phyllis Kline, who spent the great majority of her life in Malden and was a devoted member of Temple Tifereth Israel, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025, just one month before what would have been her 99th birthday. She attended Malden Public Schools, later graduated from the Chamberlain School of Retailing in Boston in 1945, and went on to work as a comparative shopper at Gilchrist Department Store in Boston — a role her family notes suited her perfectly. She and her late husband Herbert, who was her high school sweetheart and partner for 62 years of marriage, were active in Temple Tifereth Israel's committees and Couples' Club, while Phyllis herself was involved in the temple's Sisterhood and in Hadassah, and also volunteered at Malden Hospital. Family members describe her as someone for whom friendship was a lifelong commitment, and who checked in with each of her children by phone every evening. She is remembered as a grandmother and great-grandmother who found her greatest joy surrounded by family, and who welcomed all to her table on Hawthorne Street for holidays and special gatherings. [5]
🪔 Malden's Congregation Agudas Achim – Ezrath Israel Chooses Downsizing Over Closing
Faced with a choice between shuttering and finding a new path forward, Malden's Congregation Agudas Achim – Ezrath Israel opted for resilience, deciding to downsize rather than close its doors. The congregation, led by spiritual leader and sexton Wayne Freedman, has been a fixture of Malden's Jewish community for many years, and the decision to continue — even in a reduced form — reflects a determination to preserve its presence and identity. The move represents a significant inflection point for one of Malden's most storied congregations, which has had to contend with the demographic shifts that have reshaped Jewish communal life in many older American cities. Rather than allow those pressures to end the congregation entirely, its leadership chose adaptation as the more faithful response. The story of Agudas Achim – Ezrath Israel is in many ways a microcosm of the broader challenges facing historic urban synagogues, and its choice to persist carries meaning well beyond its own membership. Community members and supporters rallied around the decision, signaling that there remains a core of people committed to keeping the congregation alive. [4]
Congregation Agudas Achim Leaves Bryant Street Behind for a New Home
In a bittersweet milestone for Malden's Jewish community, Congregation Agudas Achim bid farewell to its longtime home on Bryant Street and relocated to a new address within the city. Malden Mayor Gary Christenson was on hand to mark the occasion, chatting with spiritual leader and sexton Wayne Freedman outside the congregation's new location — a moment that underscored the civic significance of the move. The departure from Bryant Street closes a chapter that spanned generations of Malden Jewish life, carrying memories of community gatherings, High Holiday services, and the ordinary rhythms of congregational belonging. The relocation follows the congregation's earlier decision to downsize rather than dissolve, making the move to a new building the next practical step in that strategy for survival. For longtime members, the farewell to Bryant Street was an occasion for both mourning and hope — a recognition that continuity sometimes requires leaving familiar ground. Mayor Christenson's presence at the new site signaled that the city of Malden views the congregation's continued existence as a meaningful part of the broader community fabric. [2]
🪔 Temple Tifereth Israel's Journey: How a Once-Vibrant Malden Congregation Found New Life in Peabody
Temple Tifereth Israel, which for decades was a cornerstone of Jewish religious and social life in Malden, held its final service in the city before relocating and being reborn in Peabody. Rabbi David Kudan and Music Director and cantorial soloist Bryna Toder Tabasky were present for that concluding service — a moment that marked both an ending and, for those who carried the congregation forward, a beginning. The temple's departure from Malden is part of the same demographic story that has reshaped Jewish communal life across many of Greater Boston's older cities, as congregations founded by immigrant generations found their membership shifting outward to the suburbs. Yet the decision to reconstitute the temple rather than simply dissolve it reflected a commitment to continuity of community, even if the geography had to change. For Malden residents who had grown up in the pews of Temple Tifereth Israel — including families like that of Phyllis Kline, who remained a lifelong member — the temple's story is inseparable from the story of Malden itself. Its rebirth in Peabody stands as one chapter in the longer narrative of how faith communities survive by evolving. [6]
🤝 Project Ezra Serves 1,800 Meals on Christmas Day, Continuing a Malden Tradition Over 30 Years Strong
Project Ezra, a Malden institution with roots stretching back more than three decades, once again came through on Christmas Day, providing meals to approximately 1,800 people in need. Volunteers arrived at Malden High School at two o'clock in the morning to begin the enormous task of preparing and distributing the food, turning the school into a hub of organized generosity for the day. The effort traces its origins to a partnership between Temple Tifereth Israel on Salem Street and the Bread of Life food bank — a collaboration that began over 30 years ago and has grown into one of the city's most recognized acts of communal service. That the project carries forward the name and spirit of a temple that has since relocated from Malden is itself a reminder of how lasting the legacies of faith communities can be, long after the buildings and addresses have changed. For the families and individuals who received meals this Christmas, the logistics and history matter far less than the simple fact of being fed and remembered. Project Ezra's continued work is a testament to the enduring culture of service that defines so much of Malden's civic identity. [3]
Sources: [1] Dignity Memorial · [5] Dignity Memorial · [4] jewishjournal.org · [2] jewishjournal.org · [6] jewishjournal.org · [3] Patch