Congregation Agudas Achim Anshei Sfard, Adam St. Shul (Newton, Mass.) Records

The Orthodox synagogue Congregation Agudas Achim Anshei Sfard (commonly known as The Adams Street Shul) is the oldest Jewish congregation in Newton, MA. The founding members were primarily Ukrainian immigrants from the turn of the 20th century who settled in the neighborhood Nonantum (previously known as the North Village) in Newton. Many were heavily involved in the community and worked as shop owners, craftsmen, and peddlers. The Jewish community met in homes and rented the old French community center on Dalby Street when in need of more space before deciding that the construction of a formal shul was necessary.

On October 6, 1911, they obtained an official charter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and work began on the synagogue on Adams Street. It is unknown whether there was an official architect. The synagogue was built with the considerable labor of community members, many of whom were craftsmen. Three major donors helped fund the construction – two were non-Jews (a local doctor and the mayor of Newton) and the third was Jacob Schiff, a financier from New York. Constructed in a Romanesque Revival style, the design recalled traditional synagogue stylings found in Eastern Europe. Three days after the end of Chanukah in 1912, the building was opened. The ark for the Torah and the bimah (podium) were built in 1924 by Samuel Katz, a Jewish-Ukrainian craftsman, who also created the Vilna Shul ark. For years, members brought chairs until the shul acquired old school desks, which they later replaced with benches in 1956. The limited resources meant they could not afford to hire a full-time rabbi, and the shul was run entirely by volunteer members of the congregation.

Due to fluctuations in the Jewish population in Nonantum, by the 1950s, the synagogue closed for weekday services. A volunteer member of the community, Elmer Lippin, kept the synagogue running. However, by 1986, new families moved to the surrounding neighborhoods, allowing Shabbat services to restart on August 2, 1986. By 1988, plans for renovations were underway, with the bulk of the restoration taking place in the 1990s. In 1992, the Adams Street Shul was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Restorations were completed in 1995.

Community leadership was essential to the governance of the shul and remained integral after they hired their first full-time rabbi, Rabbi Zalman Gurkow. Rabbi Zalman left in 2004, and in 2005, they hired Rabbi Norbert Weinberg, who left in 2015. As of 2023, Rabbi Ahron Benmergui serves as the clergy of the Adams Street Shul.

1911

Obtained an official charter by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and work began on the synagogue on Adams Street.

1912

Held grand opening of the synagogue during Chanukah.

1924

Ark and bima designed and built by Samuel Katz.

1986

Restarted consistant weekly Shabbat services.

Jackson Homestead exhibit held and booklet created.

1987

Elmer Lippen dies.

1988

Fundraising efforts for renovation began.

1990-1991

Reconstruction of the shul building started

1992

Newsletter started.

Listed on National Registry of Historic Buildings.

1994

Renovated the lower level of the building.

1996

Contested election.

1997

Swastika graffitied on side of shul

1999

Hired first full-time rabbi: Rabbi Gurkow.

2004

Rabbi Gurkow left.

2005

Hired Rabbi Weinberg.

2012

Centennial celebration

2015

Rabbi Weinberg left.

2017

Hired Rabbi Glass.