Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue located at 8825 East Prairie Road in Skokie, Illinois. Originally a traditional synagogue, it was founded in 1956 and is one of the oldest active synagogues in Skokie.
| Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership |
|
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 8825 East Prairie Road, Skokie, Illinois |
| Country | United States |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Jerome Soltan Esther Sperber |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Date established | 1956 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1963 |
| Website | |
| svaj | |
History
editAfter World War II, Skokie began to grow rapidly. In the 1950s, more than half of the newcomers to Skokie were Jewish families.[1] Skokie Valley Traditional Synagogue was founded in 1956,[2] with groundbreaking ceremonies for the building held on September 29, 1957.[3] Rabbi Milton Kanter was the founding rabbi,[4] and Samuel Berger was the first president and founder.[3][5] In 1962, Reuben Cooper was named the synagogue's cantor.[6] As a traditional synagogue, it had more than 1,500 members at its height.[4]
Skokie's first mechitza minyan formed by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Berkovits in the basement of Skokie Valley's building. That minyan would ultimately move down the road to form a new Orthodox synagogue, Congregation Or Torah, in 1969.[7]
In 1995, while under the leadership of Rabbi Louis Tuchman, Skokie Valley Traditional Synagogue merged with Congregation Agudath Jacob of Evanston, becoming Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob.[8][9] Around 1996, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein began a brief stint as the synagogue's rabbi.[10] In 1997, Rabbi Jack Engel was named the synagogue's new rabbi.[11] In 1998, Skokie Valley merged with B'nai Jacob Synagogue of West Rogers Park, Chicago.[8]
By the early 2000s, the traditional synagogue's membership had dwindled to 130 people, with an average age of 75. Around 2013, the synagogue began to move in a new direction as an inclusive Orthodox Jewish congregation, with separate (instead of mixed) seating, encouraging women's spiritual leadership, and an emphasis on building positive relationships with the wider Jewish community and the world.[8] In 2017, when Rabbi Ari Hart was hired as its new leader, the synagogue had 160 member households.[12] By 2023, it had grown to 325 member households.[8] The synagogue also helped develop Solu, an initiative to help feed and clothe the needy through interfaith efforts, and respond to racial injustice, antisemitism, mental health, violence prevention, and literacy.[12][13]
Architecture and design
editThe sanctuary was completed in 1963, under the firm of architect Jerome Soltan.[14] In 2020, a major renovation of the interior was undertaken in the modern style. It was completed in 2023, led by Studio ST Architects behind principal architect Esther Sperber.[8] The sanctuary was redesigned, a new HVAC system was installed, and bathrooms and a coat room were added.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Religions". skokiecentennialbook.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Sheldon Nahmod at SVAJ" (PDF). chicagojewishhistory.org. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ a b "Skokie Jewish Congregation Names Cantor". Chicago Daily Tribune. September 26, 1957.
- ^ a b "Rabbi Albert Milton Kanter 1929-2005". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Associate Circuit Judge Samuel Berger". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Cantor Cooper in Skokie". The Sentinel. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Skokie Part Two". haemtza.blogspot.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Skokie Synagogue Renovation Reflects Congregation's Recent Renaissance". patch.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Exodus Story Likely to Find Modern Parallels". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Grace Hasn't a Prayer at Many Tables". Chicago Tribune. November 28, 1996.
- ^ "Holocaust Survivors, Kin Remember". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ a b "A Chicago Orthodox Rabbi Reaches out to his Rohingya and Black Neighbors". forward.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Enough of MLK and Heschel". timesofisrael.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Slotan, Jerome" (PDF). American Architects Directory. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Skokie Valley Synagogue". architectmagazine.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.