Adams Street Shul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adams Street Shul |
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The Adams Street Shul
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Modern Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Nusach Sefard |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Ahron Benmergui |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 168 Adams Street, Village of Nonantum, Newton, Massachusetts 02458 |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Massachusetts
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| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Date established | 1911 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1912 |
| Materials | Brick |
The Adams Street Shul, officially called the Congregation Agudas Achim Anshei Sfard, is a special Jewish place of worship. It is a Modern Orthodox Jewish synagogue located at 168 Adams Street in the village of Nonantum in Newton, Massachusetts. The building was finished in 1912 for a community that started in 1911. It is home to Newton's oldest Jewish congregation. It is also one of the oldest synagogues in the area that is still used today.
The building's style is called Romanesque Revival. This means it looks like old Roman buildings with round arches. Because of its history and unique design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 16, 1990. This list helps protect important historical places in the United States.
Contents
The Shul's Building and Its History
The Adams Street Shul is on the north side of Adams Street. It is a short walk east from Watertown Street, which is a main road in Nonantum Village.
Building Design and Features
The synagogue is a one-story building made of brick. It has three sections across the front. Two large windows with round arches are on either side of the main entrance. The main entrance itself is also shaped like a round arch. Above the entrance, there is a round window called an oculus. Inside this window, you can see a Star of David, which is a symbol of Judaism.
How the Synagogue Was Built
The synagogue was built in 1912 by a Jewish community that had formed just one year earlier, in 1911. For many years, it was the only synagogue in Newton until 1937. That's when another synagogue, Temple Emanuel, was completed on Ward Street.
The people in the community helped a lot to build the Adams Street Shul. Many of them were skilled workers and helped with the construction. In 1924, important parts of the inside were added. These included the Torah ark, which holds the holy Torah scrolls, and the bema, which is a raised platform where prayers are led. A Jewish-Ukrainian craftsman created these beautiful pieces. He also made the ark for another famous synagogue called the Vilna Shul.
Changes Over Time
The inside of the Adams Street Shul has not changed much since it was built. The community has stayed small but strong, with many families having members from different generations. The benches used in the synagogue today were given by another congregation, Kehillath Israel in Brookline, when they updated their own building.
See also
