Achavath Achim Synagogue
Encyclopedia
Achavath Achim Synagogue is located in Bridgeport
, Connecticut
. The building was built in 1926 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places
on May 11, 1995 as West End Congregation--Achavath Achim Synagogue. The building is a rare example in Bridgeport of a Colonial Revival house of worship containing details such as a portico
with fluted columns and round arch stained-glass windows. Bridgeport architect Leonard Asheim designed many municipal and ecclesiastical buildings from 1910 to 1940.
synagogue
was associated with Bridgeport's sizable Hungarian Jewish community whose members settled primarily in the city's West End. It now functions as a church, owned and occupied by Iglesia Christiana El Buen Pastor. Congregation Ahavath Achim moved to Fairfield in the 1960s.
Congregation Ahavath Achim (in English, Brotherly Love) was founded in Bridgeport's West End in 1904, meeting in the homes of members until they were able to move to a more permanent location. As the immigrants prospered in their new homeland, they decided to build a "magnificent structure [using] the most modern techniques, glorious stained-glass windows, a beautiful Aron Ha-Kodesh, a lovely, traditional Bimah
, Colonial pillars, a breath-taking landscaping development ... a gorgeous edifice that would evoke for a blessed generation the proud statement: 'This is my synagogue!'"
Achavath Achim Synagogue was one of fifteen Connecticut synagogues added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 and 1996 in response to an unprecedented multiple submission, nominating nineteen synagogues.
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. The building was built in 1926 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on May 11, 1995 as West End Congregation--Achavath Achim Synagogue. The building is a rare example in Bridgeport of a Colonial Revival house of worship containing details such as a portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
with fluted columns and round arch stained-glass windows. Bridgeport architect Leonard Asheim designed many municipal and ecclesiastical buildings from 1910 to 1940.
History
The OrthodoxOrthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
was associated with Bridgeport's sizable Hungarian Jewish community whose members settled primarily in the city's West End. It now functions as a church, owned and occupied by Iglesia Christiana El Buen Pastor. Congregation Ahavath Achim moved to Fairfield in the 1960s.
Congregation Ahavath Achim (in English, Brotherly Love) was founded in Bridgeport's West End in 1904, meeting in the homes of members until they were able to move to a more permanent location. As the immigrants prospered in their new homeland, they decided to build a "magnificent structure [using] the most modern techniques, glorious stained-glass windows, a beautiful Aron Ha-Kodesh, a lovely, traditional Bimah
Bimah
A bimah A bimah A bimah (among Ashkenazim, derived from Hebrew בּמה , almemar (from Arabic al-minbar) or tebah (among Sephardim) is the elevated area or platform in a Jewish synagogue which is intended to serve the place where the person reading aloud from the Torah stands during the Torah reading...
, Colonial pillars, a breath-taking landscaping development ... a gorgeous edifice that would evoke for a blessed generation the proud statement: 'This is my synagogue!'"
Achavath Achim Synagogue was one of fifteen Connecticut synagogues added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 and 1996 in response to an unprecedented multiple submission, nominating nineteen synagogues.
See also
- History of Bridgeport, ConnecticutHistory of Bridgeport, ConnecticutThe history of Bridgeport, Connecticut was, in the late 17th and most of the 18th century, one of land acquisitions from the native inhabitants, farming and fishing. From the mid-18th century to the mid-19th century, Bridgeport's history was one of shipbuilding, whaling and rapid growth...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Bridgeport, ConnecticutNational Register of Historic Places listings in Bridgeport, ConnecticutThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bridgeport, Connecticut.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States...