By 1973 it was estimated that Ashtabula’s Jewish community had contracted to around 160 people. This was a decline of over 28 percent from the estimate in 1963.77 The period between 1960 and 1970 was also the beginning of a decline in Ashtabula’s overall population. This demographic decline has continued into the 21st century, and its primary cause is tied to the loss of industrial jobs in the area. Younger residents also began to move away for educational opportunities and jobs with increasing frequency. While newer Jewish families did continue to move into the area, their numbers were growing smaller. As Ashtabula’s Jewish community began to age, the activities of Young Judaea decreased and the organization ultimately faded. Already by the late-1960s, Robert Kalifon found that he was the only Jewish student at his high school in Ashtabula.78 Other Jewish organizations including the local B’nai B’rith chapter, B’nai B’rith Ladies Auxiliary, and Jewish War Veterans continued to exist into the early 21st century before disbanding.
Some of the newer Jewish families in Ashtabula included Aronson, Amsel, Brodsky, Kawalek, Knudsen, Korland, and Unkrich. A number of these families came to Ashtabula to work in the medical field. For example, Jeffrey Brodsky worked as an orthopedic surgeon, Wayne Kawalek practiced as a physician, and Emilie Unkrich served as assistant administrator of patient care services at the Ashtabula General Hospital.79 Several older Jewish families also remained in Ashtabula. Richard Coblitz, the son of Leah and Sanford, worked with his father at the Arthur Louis Supply Company and eventually took a leading role. He continues to be affiliated with the company which as of 2021, was the oldest business in downtown Ashtabula. Samuel Goldstein operated the Ashtabula Iron and Metal Company from 1947 to 1987. He also created the Hercules Steel Company, which would continue to be managed by his son, Allan at least until the 1990s. Samuel served four terms as president of Tifereth Israel and he was active with the local National Conference of Christians and Jews chapter.80 Additionally, Samuel served as president of the Ashtabula Arts Center for a time and he was active in the local Elks, Kiwanis, and Rotary organizations. Activities at Tifereth Israel continued and during some years, members of the congregation hired visiting rabbis to officiate at major holiday services. Ashtabula’s Jewish community, however, continued its demographic decline into the 21st century. As of 2020, it is estimated eight families are affiliated with Tifereth Israel.81
77 Fred Massarik and Alvin Chenkin, “United States National Jewish Population Study: A First Report,” American Jewish Yearbook, http://www.ajcarchives.org/AJC_DATA/Files/1973_6_USDemographic.pdf, p 313.
78 Mike Lebowitz, "A Biblical Find," News-Herald (Willoughby, OH), November 07, 2004, https://www.news-herald.com/news/a-biblical-find/article_a4eecfe6-7089-5f7c-a54d-993a0d720472.html.
79 "Mrs. Unkrich in Patient Care," Cleveland Jewish News, July 03, 1981.
80 Obituary of Samuel Goldstein, Star Beacon, May 05, 2007.
81 “Tifereth Israel Congregation,” Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, 2020, https://www.rac.org/congregations/tifereth-israel-congregation-ashtabula-oh.