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Congregation Sharey Tzedek Synagogue

Coordinates: 40°45′4″N 111°53′3″W / 40.75111°N 111.88417°W / 40.75111; -111.88417
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Congregation Sharey Tzedek Synagogue
Hebrew: שערי צדק
The former synagogue, now veterans' centre, in 2014
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism (former)
Ecclesiastical or organisational status
  • Synagogue (1916–c. 1930s)
  • Veterans' centre (since 1948)
OwnershipVeterans of Foreign Wars
Status
  • Closed (as a synagogue);
  • Repurposed
Location
Location833 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, Utah
CountryUnited States
Congregation Sharey Tzedek Synagogue is located in Utah
Congregation Sharey Tzedek Synagogue
Location in Utah
Geographic coordinates40°45′4″N 111°53′3″W / 40.75111°N 111.88417°W / 40.75111; -111.88417
Architecture
TypeSynagogue architecture
StyleRomanesque Revival
General contractorJohn E. Anderson
Date established1916 (as a congregation)
Completed1920
Congregation Sharey Tzedek Synagogue
Area0.2 acres (0.081 ha)
MPSJewish Synagogue TR
NRHP reference No.85001396
Added to NRHPJune 27, 1985
[1]

Congregation Sharey Tzedek Synagogue (Hebrew: שערי צדק) is a historic former Orthodox Jewish synagogue, now war veterans' centre, located at 833 South 200 East in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States.

History

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A group of mostly of Yiddish-speaking immigrants from Russia and elsewhere in Eastern Europe split off from Congregation Montefiore in 1916 to form Congregation Sharey Tzedek, Utah's third Jewish congregation. The group raised $33,200 to buy the land and build a synagogue. The building was built by general contractor John E. Anderson, and it was completed in 1920. Utah Governor Simon Bamberger spoke at the dedication on March 28, 1920. When the synagogue was built, its front had circular windows that contained colored glass with a star of David. Rabbi Joseph Strinkomsky served as the congregation's first rabbi. Services were in line with Orthodox Judaism, with different seating areas for men and women. Most of the members lived within a short walk of the synagogue, and they shopped at a kosher butcher nearby.[2]

The congregation disbanded in the 1930s, and the building was sold to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1948.[3] At the time of the building's sale, many of the original members of the congregation had died, and others were attending religious services at B'nai Israel, which followed the Reform movement, or at Congregation Montefiore, which followed Conservative practices.[2]

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

According to the Utah Historical Society, the building is significant "for its historical association with Utah's pluralistic community."[2]

References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System – (#85001396)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c Goodman, John (January 2, 1994). "Ex-synagogue, Current VFW Post Fights to Hang On". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. E2.
  3. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Structure/Site Information Form:Congregation Sharey Tzedek Synagogue". National Park Service. 1985. and accompanying two photos
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Media related to Congregation Sharey Tzedek Synagogue at Wikimedia Commons