Congregation Ahavath Achim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Congregation Ahavath Achim |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Modern Orthodox Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Peretz Robinson (part-time) |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Fairfield, Connecticut 06825 |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Connecticut
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Leonard Asheim (1926) |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | 1926:
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| General contractor | E. & F. Construction Company |
| Date established | 1904 (as a congregation) |
| Completed |
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Congregation Ahavath Achim is a Jewish congregation and synagogue located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the United States. Its name comes from Hebrew and means "Brotherly Love." This congregation follows Modern Orthodox Judaism, which is a type of Jewish faith.
The congregation started in 1904. Its first synagogue building was in Bridgeport. This building was finished in 1926. The congregation moved out of it in the 1960s. After that, the building became a Christian church.
This old synagogue building is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 11, 1995. This list includes places that are important to American history. The building was recognized as "West End Congregation--Achavath [sic] Achim Synagogue."
History of the Congregation
Congregation Ahavath Achim was first formed in Bridgeport in 1904. Many Hungarian Jewish families had moved to the West End area of the city. At first, the members met in their homes. They needed a more permanent place to worship.
Their first official location was on Cherry Street. This building was sadly destroyed by a fire in 1910. But the community worked together to rebuild it. Then, in 1926, the congregation moved to a new building on Hancock Avenue in Bridgeport.
As the families became more successful, they wanted to build a special place. They dreamed of a "magnificent structure" with beautiful stained-glass windows. They wanted a lovely Aron Ha-Kodesh (the holy ark where Torah scrolls are kept) and a traditional bimah (a raised platform for reading the Torah). They hoped it would make everyone proud to say, "This is my synagogue!"
The old synagogue building in Bridgeport was designed by Leonard Asheim. It is a special example of its kind. It mixes styles called Colonial Revival and Georgian Revival. You can see this in its features, like the portico (a porch with columns) and round arch stained-glass windows.
This building was one of fifteen synagogues in Connecticut added to the National Register of Historic Places. This happened in 1995 and 1996. By 2013, the building was being used as a church called Iglesia Christiana El Buen Pastor.
In the 1950s, more Jewish families moved to Fairfield. So, Congregation Ahavath Achim decided to move there too. They started building a new synagogue on Stratfield Road in 1958. It was finished in 1963 and officially opened in 1964.
In 1985, the congregation joined with another group called Congregation Adath Yeshurun. Later, in 1995, the synagogue building was updated. This was to make space for Hillel Academy, a Jewish day school. The school closed in 2010 because not enough students were enrolled.
In 2017, the congregation sold its Stratfield Road synagogue. A developer plans to build a new center for older adults on that land. Since late 2017, the congregation has been using rented spaces for its services.
See also
