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

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