Congregation Anshai Sfard (Lynn, Mass.) Records

Congregation Anshai Sfard (Anshe, Anshi) was an Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Lynn, Massachusetts from 1888 to 1999. The first Jewish settlers in Lynn, a group of twenty Hasidic European families, mostly Russian, converted a house into a synagogue on West Street. The congregation was not officially recognized until 1899 when it was incorporated by Bernard Gerber, I. Gold, M. Gold, Jacob Glau, John Grob, David Graubard (Graubart), Jacob Lubmirski (Cohen), and Azrul (Azrub) Zack. In 1919, the congregation acquired an old church at the corner of Commercial and South Common Streets that was erected by Puritan settlers in 1682. President Louis Melman held a dedication ceremony in 1919 for the new temple and its 1,500 members. In 1937, members of the Temple organized the service group Bnai Anshai Sfard, followed by the organization of another, B’nois Anshai Sfard, in 1939. In 1944 the congregation’s 25th anniversary was celebrated and sixty new members were inducted. Services were held at Commercial Street until 1950, when the building was sold and a new property, the Congressional Church on Vine and South Common Streets, was purchased. A dedication ceremony was held in 1950 and the congregation grew to 300 members in 1952. The 1990s brought dwindling membership and the Temple considered possible mergers including with Chevra Tehillim Shul on Breed Street in Lynn, Temple Shalom in Salem, and Temple Ahabat Shalom in Lynn. The synagogue closed its doors in December of 1999. Many religious objects were donated or sent to other congregations for storage.

1888

Jewish settlers of Lynn converted a house into the West Street synagogue of Anshai Sfard.

1899

Congregation incorporated and officially recognized.

1919

Acquired old church at Commercial and South Common Streets.

1937-1939

Bnai Anshai Sfard and B’nois Anshai Sfard organized.

1942

Lynn memorial for Nazi victims held at Anshai Sfard.

1944

25th anniversary celebrated.

1950

Vine street church purchased and dedication held.

1999

Congregation closed.