Vilna Congregation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vilna Congregation |
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Hebrew: בית הכנסת אנשי ווילנה
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The synagogue, in 2015
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite |
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| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Menachem Schmidt |
| Year consecrated | 1915 |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 509 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 |
| Country | United States |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Chabad |
| Architectural style | Philadelphia Rowhouse |
| Date established | 1904 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1915 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | South |
| Capacity | 75 worshippers |
The Vilna Congregation (Hebrew: בית הכנסת אנשי ווילנה) is a special Jewish place of worship, called a synagogue. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. This synagogue follows Orthodox Judaism, which is a traditional way of practicing the Jewish faith.
For many years, it was home to a group of Hasidic Ashkenazi Jews who held services on Shabbat (the Jewish day of rest) and other holy days. This group was connected to Lubavitch of Center City. More recently, the synagogue also became home to a special Jewish bath for women, called a mikvah, which is also run by the Lubavitch community.
Rabbi Menachem Schmidt is the leader of the congregation. He looks after the building and its activities.
Contents
History of the Vilna Synagogue
Early Years and Growth (1904-1974)
The Vilna Congregation started in 1904. It was created by Jewish immigrants from Lithuania who had moved to Philadelphia. These groups were often called "Landsleit shuls," meaning a synagogue for people from the same hometown or region.
At first, the congregation held their services in rented rooms. Then, in 1915, a family named Shapiro bought the building at 509 Pine Street. This building officially became a synagogue on February 1, 1922. Before the Shapiro family bought it, the building was a home for a person named Julius Taussig. The Shapiro family was involved in the hardware business in the 1920s. During that time, the women of the congregation formed a group called the Sara Shapiro Sisterhood.
There is a stone above the front door of the synagogue. It has a message written in Hebrew that says, "The Avraham Aba Bar Shapira and Men of Vilna Synagogue established in the year 5665." This shows the synagogue's connection to its founders and the year it was founded according to the Jewish calendar.
Joseph Hillel Snapir was the synagogue's rabbi during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1956, another congregation called B'nai Reuben Anshe Sfard closed down. The Vilna Congregation welcomed their memorial plaques, keeping their memory alive.
The synagogue used to hold daily services until 1974. After that, they decided to hold services only on Shabbat. By the mid-1980s, the number of members started to get smaller. It became difficult for them to gather a minyan, which is the group of ten Jewish adults needed for some prayers.
New Beginnings (Since the Late 1980s)
In 1989, Rabbi Menachem Schmidt became the new rabbi. He began to bring the congregation back to life. He made the synagogue a lively community place. He led services, hosted meals for the community, and taught lessons.
Until 2018, the synagogue held services every Friday night. These services were for both the Vilna congregation and another group called Congregation B'nai Abraham. On Saturday mornings (Shabbos) and on holy days, the Vilna shul held a "late morning" minyan. After these services, they would have a festive kiddish, which is a light meal or refreshments, in the community space on the second floor of the building.
The building is also planned to be the location for a new mikvah in Center City, called Mai Shalva. In 2013, community members, led by Rabbi Menachem Schmidt, started a group called the Center City Community Mikvah. They chose the location, had plans drawn up by architects, and began to collect money to build it.
See also
