Guide to the Records of Shaaray Tefillah Congregation, 1921-1985
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Records of Shaaray Tefillah Congregation
- Creator
- Shaaray Tefillah Congregation (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Collection Number
- MSS#361
- Extent
- 2.5 cubic feet (5 boxes and 1 shelf volume)
- Date
- 1921-1985
- Abstract
- Accounts of the history of Shaaray Tefillah Congregation differ. The 1943 Tri-State Pinkas states that Shaaray Tefillah Congregation, known originally as Beth Israel, began to meet in 1899. In 1905, the congregation split. The group that seceded called itself Beth David. The remaining group was known as Beth Israel. Beth Israel bought a lot on Ross Street, while Beth David bought a lot at 23-25 Miller Street. Beth David was financially unable to finish the construction. Rabbi Sivitz intervened between the two congregations so that Beth Israel then agreed to help Beth David. The two congregations merged in 1906, using the name Shaaray Tefillah. The bulk of the collection consists of financial records, including copies of receipts for donations made to the congregation. Included in the collection are minutes and membership materials for the congregation as well as records relating to three congregational organizations.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
Historical Sketch of the Shaaray Tefillah Congregation (1906-c1990)
Accounts of the history of Shaaray Tefillah Congregation differ. The 1943 Tri-State Pinkas states that Shaaray Tefillah Congregation, known originally as Beth Israel, began to meet in 1899. In 1905, the congregation split. The group that seceded called itself Beth David. The remaining group was known as Beth Israel. Beth Israel bought a lot on Ross Street, while Beth David bought a lot at 23-25 Miller Street. Beth David was financially unable to finish the construction. Rabbi Sivitz intervened between the two congregations so that Beth Israel then agreed to help Beth David. The two congregations merged in 1906, using the name Shaaray Tefillah. A slightly different history can be found in The Jewish Experience in Western Pennsylvania: A History 1755-1945 by Jacob Feldman. When the congregation closed, it was located in Squirrel Hill.
Scope and Content Notes
The Shaaray Tefillah Congregation Records are housed in five archival boxes and one shelf volume and are arranged chronologically.
The bulk of the collection consists of financial records, including copies of receipts for donations made to the congregation. Included in the collection are minutes and membership materials for the congregation as well as records relating to three congregational organizations.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection came in two accessions in 1994-1995.
Accession # 1994.0178 Gift of Rabbi Shimon Silver
Accession # 1995.0132 Gift of David Nadoff for Shaaray Tefillah Congregation
Preferred Citation
Records of Shaaray Tefillah Congregation, 1921-1985, MSS #361, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Susan Melnick on February 12, 2003.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Robert O. Stakeley on November 11, 2003.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.
Subjects
- Shaaray Tefillah Congregation (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Jews -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Synagogues -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh