The following "Fundamental Articles" appeared in the original Constitution in 1862:
1. "Peace and Harmony should reign in an Israelitish Congregation, friendship and brotherly love should inspire its members to aid each other through words and deeds and to constitute one great family."
2. "Members of a Hebrew Congregation should be Israelites, indeed, either by birth or creed, which fact in both cases is to manifest itself by a course of life becoming a good Israelite."
3. "The Congregation in its religious institution, while manifesting a due veneration for the transmission (of the heritage) of our fathers, should yet satisfy the demands of time and follow the progressive culture of our time."
Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise came to Jackson to give the consecration sermon on January 29, 1864. The founder of liberal Judaism in this country wrote an article in the "Israelite" dated February 12, 1864 in which he described the "kind spirit of esteem and friendship uniting the Jewish and Gentile population of Jackson." He tells too, of great celebrations, feasts and balls attended by the townspeople and visitors from Kalamazoo, Albion, Niles, Marshall, Adrian, and Detroit to the new congregation." Rabbi Wise founded the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), Hebrew Union College, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
In September of 1864, Rabbi Elias Epstein became the second preacher, teacher and cantor of the congregation. During this same year, a Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society was organized.
In September of 1864, Rabbi Elias Epstein became the second preacher, teacher and cantor of the congregation. During this same year, a Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society was organized. In 1865 Henry Lang bought a house for $300 and rented it to the congregation for school purposes.
