Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on October 1, 2014

NATALIE POMPILIO, natalie@nataliepompilio.com Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2014, 10:20 AM

THERE IS no "typical" Shabbat service at Society Hill Synagogue. One week, Rabbi Avi Winokur might include the works of Sufi mystics and Muslim spiritual giants. The next might feature writings by Christian leaders, noted intellectuals or Jewish religious thinkers.

One way the synagogue describes its open approach is by citing an old joke: "Two Jews, three opinions." That is to say, different people celebrate their faith in different ways.

"It's very eclectic," said Winokur, who has led the congregation for 13 years. "We are nondenominational, giving us freedom other synagogues don't have. It allows us to be innovative and traditional at the same time."

About 300 families strong, Society Hill is "quite a well-rounded place," the rabbi said. Besides being a place of worship, it's also a hub of activities centered on social justice and education.

"We're an urban synagogue," he said. "We believe that gives us a responsibility to act on behalf of the community in which we live."

Where we worship: Society Hill Synagogue is at 418 Spruce St. The building and facade of the historic, 190-year-old structure were designed by Thomas U. Walter, the architect behind the U.S. Capitol dome.

From 1829 to 1910, the building housed Spruce Street Baptist Church. In 1910, the Baptist congregation sold the property to a Jewish congregation that called the building the "Great Roumanian Shul." That name is still visible in Yiddish above the entrance.

Society Hill Synagogue acquired the building in 1967 and has since expanded into a neighboring building.

See the article here:

Where We Worship: Society Hill Synagogue

Category: Synagogue
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