Ahavath Torah (Stoughton, Massachusetts)

Ahavath Torah

Ahavath Torah
Basic information
Location 1179 Central Street,
Stoughton, Massachusetts,
 United States
Geographic coordinates 42°08′06″N 71°06′29″W / 42.134959°N 71.108086°W / 42.134959; -71.108086Coordinates: 42°08′06″N 71°06′29″W / 42.134959°N 71.108086°W / 42.134959; -71.108086
Affiliation Conservative Judaism
Status Active
Leadership Rabbi: Jonathan Hausman
Website atorah.org
Architectural description
Completed 1970

Ahavath Torah is a Conservative congregation in Stoughton, Massachusetts. Formed as a merger of two older congregations founded in the 1890s,[1] it is the oldest synagogue in Stoughton.[2]

Congregation Ahavath Achim was formed in Stoughton in 1893. Congregation Talmud Torah was formed in Stoughton soon after, in 1895.[1] Both congregations worshiped in various houses.[2] In 1918, the congregations merged with the Hebrew Benevolent Society to form Ahavath Torah Congregation,[1][2] with 25 members,[2] and Rev. M. L. Graham as its spiritual head.[3] That year the congregation began construction of its first synagogue building on Porter Street,[1] which was dedicated on October 14, 1919.[2] The congregation was, however, only officially incorporated on September 5, 1930.[2]

In 1954, Ahavath Achim opened its religious school.[2] In need of a larger synagogue building, it purchased and moved into the former Congregational Church at 30 Pearl Street in 1958.[1][2] As Stoughton's Jewish population grew, membership increased to 72 families, and land was purchased in three stages for a new synagogue. The present building at 1179 Central Street was dedicated in 1970. Further growth led to a significant renovation and expansion of the synagogue building, which was completed in 1987.[2]

The synagogue has hosted many notable guest speakers, including Geert Wilders,[4][5] Wafa Sultan,[6] and Dr. Mordechai Kedar,[7] as well as entertainment from singer Sam Glaser,[8] and a Bob Lazarus memorial show.[9]

Congregational rabbis have included Henry Gerson, David Oler, Harold Schechter,[2] and Steven Conn.[10] As of 2010, the rabbi is Jonathan Hausman.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Lambert, David Allen. Stoughton, Arcadia Publishing, 2001, p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7385-0941-9
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Our History, Ahavath Torah website. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  3. "Chronology of Stoughton History". Stoughtonhistory.com. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  4. "An Interview with a Local Hero: Rabbi Jon Hausman > Jerry Gordon". New English Review. December 18, 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  5. Schwartz, Penny (February 27, 2009). "Synagogue hails Dutch lawmaker as a hero". JTA. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  6. "Wafa Sultan at Ahavath Torah Video". Pakistan.tv. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  7. "Dr. Mordechai Kedar on "Arab Terrorism and the Myth of al Aqsa"". JStreetJive. February 9, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  8. "Tour Schedule". Sam Glaser. January 8, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  9. "Bob Lazarus Memorial Comedy Show Tickets, Discount Tickets and Information – Boston Metro". Theater Mania. June 14, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  10. Hart, Jordana. "Stoughton seeks answers for house filled with slurs", The Boston Globe, November 14, 1992.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 5/15/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.