Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron Ezras Israel

Congregation History

The congregation first organized itself in 1876 at 322 Bainbridge Street and chartered itself in 1892 as 'Shivtei Yeshurun. As the population of Jews from Eastern Europe increased in Philadelphia between 1881 and 1924, the Jewish community extended from Society Hill south to Oregon Avenue. The congregation moved to its current location at 2015 South 4th Street, near 4th Street and Snyder Avenue, in 1909. Community craftsman redesigned the interior and the synagogue became an active synagogue along with a meeting place for community beneficial societies and events.

Max Karafin came to Philadelphia from Odessa in the 1920s, and served as cantor, conducting services. His wife, Baila Karafin, helped to start the Ladies Auxiliary during the 1930s' Great Depression in support of community members in need.

South Philadelphia's urban Jewish community contracted in the years following World War II when many families moved to the suburbs and exurbs. Shivtei Yeshuron survived by virtue of several mergers. In 1961, Shivtei Yeshuron combined with Mishkan Israel and Raim Ahuvim (Anshe Kalker, who held Nusach Sefard). In 1968, Shivtei Yeshuron welcomed the merger of Heisner, and of Congregation Ezras Israel, formerly of Sixth and Cantrell Streets, to become Shivtei Yeshurun - Heisner Ezras Israel. Shivtei Yeshuron Ezras Israel subsequently absorbed the members of six other area synagogues that closed between 1970 and 1983.

Rabbi Wilner led High Holiday services from the 1970s until 2005. Rabbi Yadidya Dagovitz led Sabbath services at the synagogue from the 1980s until his death in 2004, and joined R. Wilner for the High Holidays. The congregation is one of two active South Philadelphia synagogues, and the last orthodox synagogue. The congregation in 2016 meets for Sabbath services the first Saturday of the month; conducts High Holiday services; presents speakers, music, and community events; and is a member of the Kehillah of Center City.

Building

The congregation originally rented the South 4th Street property in 1909, and purchased the building outright in 1917. Previously a store (built between 1886 and 1895) with a horse stable at its rear on Moyamensing Avenue, members did extensive renovations to the space in the early years of their occupancy. Many of them were skilled craftsmen, trained as tinsmen, carpenters and electricians. They built the heavy ark, which in keeping with Jewish tradition, was installed at the front of the East-West facing synagogue in order to point towards Jerusalem. The ark was dedicated in 1916. They installed the exterior columns that distinguish the building from the other stores and homes along the street and still identify it to passersby today. The sanctuary walls and ceilings are made of tin. Tin ceilings originated in the 1880s as an affordable way for people to decorate the ceiling, and was meant to emulate high-end decorative plaster while providing some fire protection. Philadelphia city maps show the building's transformation from a store and dwelling, to synagogue and dwelling, was recognized between 1914 and 1919.

The rear building had been converted from stable to caretaker building. In 2007, the rear wall of this building was collapsing and the city condemned the entire property. It was initially thought the rear wall could be torn down and rebuilt. It was determined that the entire rear building would have to be torn down. The rear building was rebuilt in 2009 into the synagogue building. Councilman-at-large James F. Kenney, who grew up in the neighborhood, offered to help preserve this historic community site.

Revitalization

The 2007 to 2009 renovations enabled the congregation to retain its building, begin renovation, and rebuild the synagogue as a Jewish and Philadelphia community destination.

The synagogue raised funds and repaired its primary Torah scroll in 2010.

The synagogue hosted a Hanukah party in December 2011, and arts event, "Studio Aggada: New Ideas Lab" in January 2012 with Brooklyn's Jewish Art Now.

Shivtei Yeshuron was a host site for the Hidden City Philadelphia 2013 Festival which highlighted its history in South Philadelphia, and standing as one of the last pre-World War I synagogues. Shivtei Yeshuron hosted an interactive knitting laboratory led by knitting machine techs. The shul hosted the “Radical Jewish Music: A Concert Series” featuring Masada Book Two – The Book of Angels, by composer John Zorn, as performed by Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz leading Abraxas: Book of Angels Volume 19, Erik Friedlander playing Volac: Book of Angels Volume 8, and Uri Caine playing Moloch: Book of Angels Volume 6; screened the film Punk Jews; and together with Hidden City presented a speaker series on topics including the South Philadelphia Jewish origins of the Clarion, Utah colony and the Jewish Back-to-the-Land Movement, and the Philadelphia Sphas.

Jeffrey Stanley presented a theatrical production in the synagogue's 1890s basement during the 2013 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. The Andy Statman Trio performed in concert at Shivtei Yeshuron in March 2014. Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron marked Holocaust Remembrance Day with a talk in April 2014. Former-Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell cited a speaking commitment at Shivtei on June 1, 2014 that prevented him from being a passenger on a private Gulfstream IV business jet that had crashed the previous night, killing all on board.

Name

The English spelling of the congregation's name has evolved through its history. The congregation in 2016 refers to itself officially as Congregation Shivtei Yeshuron-Ezras Israel. The 1901 American Jewish Year Book identifies the congregation as Shifte Yeshurun Anshe Philadelphia. The 1954 Philadelphia Directory of Streets and Information identifies the synagogue as Shivtai Jeshurun.