Congregation Agudath Achim notice [Nov. 10, 1922]
The Jewish Encyclopedia
of Western Pennsylvania
A project of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center
Congregation Agudath Achim of Herron Hill was a Jewish congregation in the Herron Hill section of the upper Hill District.[1]Several congregations in Western Pennsylvania used the name “Agudath Achim,” including an earlier congregation in Pittsburgh unaffiliated with the Herron Hill congregation. It was founded in late 1922 under the leadership of Harry Mosenson, who was simultaneously affiliated with Shaaray Tefilah Congregation and the Beth Abraham Cemetery Association.[2]Congregation Agudath Achim notice, Jewish Criterion, Nov. 10, 1922 (online). [3]“A Half Century of Faith,” Jewish Criterion, Sept. 11, 1942 (online). Congregation Agudath Achim initially met in the home of Nathan Singer at 625 Herron Ave. and at the home of Samuel Romick at 519 Herron Ave. and may have briefly rented a nickelodeon at 615 Herron Ave.[4]Congregation Agudath Achim notice, Jewish Criterion, Nov. 10, 1922 (online). [5]“A Half Century of Faith,” Jewish Criterion, Sept. 11, 1942 (online). The congregation eventually built a synagogue at 2919 Wylie Ave., at the corner of Granite Street and later expanded the building to include an auditorium.[6]“Exercises Feature School Dedication: Hill Jews Formally Open Wylie Avenue Synagogue,” Pittsburgh Daily Post, Sept. 3, 1923 (online-Newspapers.com).[7]Congregation Agudath Achim notice, Jewish Criterion, Aug. 22, 1930 (online). Congregation Agudath Achim was an Orthodox congregation for its entire existence. It initially had at least 40 members and almost one hundred children in its religious school but membership declined throughout the 1930s, as the Jewish population of the Hill District declined. The building later became the Mount Zion F.B.H. Church of God of the Americas. Presidents included Nathan Singer, Harry Mosenson, and Max Besser.
References
| ↑1 | Several congregations in Western Pennsylvania used the name “Agudath Achim,” including an earlier congregation in Pittsburgh unaffiliated with the Herron Hill congregation. |
|---|---|
| ↑2, ↑4 | Congregation Agudath Achim notice, Jewish Criterion, Nov. 10, 1922 (online). |
| ↑3, ↑5 | “A Half Century of Faith,” Jewish Criterion, Sept. 11, 1942 (online). |
| ↑6 | “Exercises Feature School Dedication: Hill Jews Formally Open Wylie Avenue Synagogue,” Pittsburgh Daily Post, Sept. 3, 1923 (online-Newspapers.com). |
| ↑7 | Congregation Agudath Achim notice, Jewish Criterion, Aug. 22, 1930 (online). |
