Guide to the Congregation Kether Torah Records 1943-1962

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Congregation Kether Torah Records
Creator
Congregation Kether Torah
Collection Number
MSS 698
Extent
.25 linear feet (1 box)
Date
1943-1962
Abstract
Congregation Kether Torah was founded in the Hill District in 1907. The collection contains membership lists and a journal written in Yiddish.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Kelly J. Smith and Rebecca Potance.
Sponsor
This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

Congregation Keser Torah was organized in 1907 by a group of Orthodox Jews who had immigrated to Pittsburgh from the Russian province of Volinia. They began meeting in the home of Solomon Linder and called themselves Congregation Anshe Volinia. By 1910, they had 50 members and were able to move into a hired hall for prayer. The congregation became officially charted under the name Congregation Keser Torah in 1914 and opened their membership to all Jews. With their membership growing, the congregation was able to purchase a cemetery lot in Millvale, Pa., in 1916, and, in 1920, to build a new synagogue, at the corner of Webster Avenue and Erin Street in Pittsburgh's Hill District. The synagogue was formally dedicated in 1921. In 1922, the members unanimously elected Rabbi A.M. Ashinsky to be their spiritual leader and offered him a lifetime contract. By 1957, the congregation changed its name to Congregation Kether Torah and moved to 5706 Bartlett Street in Squirrel Hill.

Scope and Content Notes

The collection is housed in one archival box and consists of membership lists (1962) and a journal written in Yiddish.

Conditions Governing Access

None.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from Ian Heiss in 2000.

Archives accession # 2000.0110

Preferred Citation

Congregation Kether Torah Records, 1943-1962, MSS 698, Rauh Jewish Archives, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Kelly J. Smith on 01/09/12.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Congregation Kether Torah

    Personal Names

    • Linder, Benjamin

    Other Subjects

    • Syangogues (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Jews--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh

Container List