 By 1904 , membership had fallen to 30 , and the synagogue nearly failed : mass transit had allowed Jews to migrate away from downtown Brooklyn , and a fire had nearly destroyed the Boerum synagogue building . Further innovations were attempted , including a pipe organ and a mixed @-@ sex choir , but these were removed after objections from Orthodox members . The congregation decided that the Boerum location was part of the problem , and made the bold decision to sell it , buy new premises , and hire a rabbi ( the synagogue had , for many years , run without one ) . In 1905 , they hired Israel Goldfarb , a 1902 graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary , as " Hazan [ cantor ] and Teacher " , his first and only pulpit . The following year Goldfarb was appointed rabbi , a position he would hold for over 50 years . 
