Rutland Jewish Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rutland Jewish Center |
|
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Rite | Non-denominational |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Ownership | Congregation Adath Israel |
| Leadership | Rabbi Ellie Shemtov |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 96 Grove Street, Rutland, Vermont |
| Country | United States |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Brunner & Tryon |
| Architectural type | Library |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| Date established | 1911 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1927 (acquired the Baxter building) |
| Construction cost | $12,500 (purchase price) |
| Materials | Marble |
The Rutland Jewish Center is a special place in Rutland, Vermont. It is a synagogue, which is a Jewish house of worship, and also a community center. This center is a place where Jewish people gather for religious services, learning, and community events. The building itself is quite old and has an interesting history. It is owned by a group called Congregation Adath Israel.
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What Happens at the Center?
The Rutland Jewish Center (RJC) offers many activities for its community. These activities include cultural events and educational programs.
Classes and Learning
The center has classes for both adults and children. Kids can learn about Jewish traditions and history. They also offer special training for Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies. These are important coming-of-age events in the Jewish faith.
The Building's History and Design
The Rutland Jewish Center is located in a beautiful and historic building. It was not always a synagogue.
A Building Made of Marble
The center's building is made of grey marble. This marble came from West Rutland, a town nearby. The marble blocks are placed in a unique pattern.
Special Features of the Building
You can see an arched entrance at the corner of Grove and Library Streets. There is also a tall, square tower. This tower has open sections at the top. Each side of the tower has two round-arched openings. These openings are separated by a round column.
From Library to Synagogue
The building was first built in 1889. It was a library called the H. H. Baxter Memorial Library. A woman named Mary E. Roberts Baxter had it built to honor her husband, Horace Henry Baxter. He was a businessman from New York City and partly owned the Rutland Marble Company. The building was designed by architects Brunner & Tryon. It opened as a library in 1895.
In 1927, Congregation Adath Israel bought the building. This Jewish community group had formed in Rutland in 1911. They changed the part of the library with a dome into the main synagogue. Since then, the building has been carefully made larger to fit the community's needs.