Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron-Ezras Israel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron Ezras Israel |
|
|---|---|
|
Hebrew: קאנגרעגיישאן שבטי ישורון עזרת ישראל
|
|
The synagogue in 2012
|
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Rite | Unaffiliated, yet Nusach Ashkenaz |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Lay led |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 2015 S 4th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Philadelphia
|
|
| Architecture | |
| Architectural style | Synagogue |
| Date established |
|
| Completed | 1909 |
| Capacity | 80 worshippers |
Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron Ezras Israel (Hebrew: קאנגרעגיישאן שבטי ישורון עזרת ישראל) is a historic Jewish place of worship, called a synagogue. It is located in the Pennsport neighborhood of South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. This synagogue is special because it is the oldest continuously active synagogue building and congregation in South Philadelphia.
The congregation moved to its current location in 1909. They bought the building by 1917. Services are led by members of the community, not a specific rabbi. They follow the Ashkenazi tradition. The synagogue also hosts cultural events and tours that are open to everyone.
Contents
History of the Congregation
The congregation first started in 1876. It was officially recognized in 1892 as "Shivtei Yeshurun." Many Jewish families from Eastern Europe moved to Philadelphia between 1881 and 1924. This caused the Jewish community to grow across the city.
The congregation moved to its current home at 2015 South 4th Street in 1909. This is near 4th Street and Snyder Avenue. Community members, who were skilled craftsmen, helped redesign the inside of the building. The synagogue became a busy place for worship and community gatherings.
In the 1920s, Max Karafin came to Philadelphia. He led the services as a cantor, which is a singer who leads prayers. His wife, Baila Karafin, started the Ladies Auxiliary in the 1930s. This group helped community members who needed support during the Great Depression.
After World War II, many families moved away from South Philadelphia. To stay active, Shivtei Yeshuron joined with several other synagogues. In 1961, it combined with Mishkan Israel and Raim Ahuvim. In 1968, it merged with Heisner and Congregation Ezras Israel. This created the name Shivtei Yeshurun - Heisner Ezras Israel. Later, members from six other synagogues that closed also joined.
The synagogue continues to be an active part of the community. It holds Sabbath services once a month and services for the High Holidays. It also hosts speakers, music, and other community events.
About the Building
The synagogue building was built between 1886 and 1895. It started as a store with apartments on the upper floors. There was also a stable for horses at the back. When the congregation moved in, many members were skilled workers. They were tinworkers, carpenters, and electricians. They did a lot of work to change the building.
They built the ark, a special cabinet for the Torah scrolls, on the east wall. It was dedicated in 1916. They also added columns to the front entrance. These columns make the building stand out from other homes and stores on the street. Inside, the walls and ceilings of the main worship area are made of tin. Old city maps show that the building changed from a store to a synagogue between 1914 and 1919.
In 2007, a wall of the old stable building collapsed. This put the entire synagogue building at risk. The city said the property was unsafe. The synagogue had to fix it or risk losing the building. The leaders of the synagogue, with help from architect Joel Spivak, raised money. They started to repair the building. James F. Kenney, who later became mayor, also helped. He grew up in the neighborhood and wanted to save the historic site. The synagogue reopened for High Holiday services in 2008. The renovations were finished in 2009.
Community Activities
The renovations from 2007 to 2009 helped the synagogue keep its building. It also helped it become a special place for both the Jewish and wider Philadelphia communities.
In 2010, the synagogue raised money to repair its main Torah scroll. This is a very important religious text.
The synagogue has hosted many events. In December 2011, it held a Hanukkah party. In January 2012, it hosted an arts event called "Studio Aggada: New Ideas Lab."
In June 2013, Shivtei Yeshuron was part of the Hidden City Philadelphia Festival. This festival showed off the synagogue's history in South Philadelphia. It highlighted its importance as one of the last synagogues built before World War I. The synagogue hosted an interactive knitting lab. It also became a concert space for "Radical Jewish Music: A Concert Series." This series featured music by composer John Zorn. The synagogue also showed the film Punk Jews and hosted a Sunday morning speaker series.
Other events have included a play by Jeffrey Stanley in the synagogue's basement in 2013. The Andy Statman Trio performed a concert there in March 2014. In April 2014, the congregation marked Holocaust Remembrance Day with a special talk. In 2018, the congregation built a Sukkah, a temporary hut used during a Jewish holiday. They welcomed the wider Philadelphia community to use it.
The Synagogue's Name
The English spelling of the congregation's name has changed over time. In 2019, the congregation calls itself Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron Ezras Israel. In 1901, an old book called the American Jewish Year Book listed it as Shifte Yeshurun Anshe Philadelphia. A 1954 directory for Philadelphia called it Shivtai Jeshurun.
See also
- Jewish Quarter of Philadelphia
- History of the Jews in Philadelphia
Images for kids
-
Synagogue interior in 2014
-
Synagogue exterior in 2016
