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Ahavath Torah
Ahavath Torah
Religion
Affiliation	Conservative Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Synagogue
Leadership	Rabbi Jonathan Hausman
Status	Active
Location
Location	1179 Central Street, Stoughton, Massachusetts
Country	United States
	Location in Massachusetts
Geographic coordinates	42°08′06″N 71°06′29″W / 42.134959°N 71.108086°W
Architecture
Date established	1893 (forebears); 1919 (merged congregation);
Completed	1970
Website
	atorah.org

Ahavath Torah is a Conservative synagogue located at 1179 Central Street, Stoughton, Massachusetts, in the United States. Formed as a merger of two older congregations founded in the 1890s,^[1] it is the oldest synagogue in Stoughton.^[2]

History

Congregation Ahavath Achim was formed in Stoughton in 1893. Congregation Talmud Torah was formed in Stoughton soon after, in 1895.^[1] Both congregations worshiped in various houses.^[2] In 1918, the congregations merged with the Hebrew Benevolent Society to form Ahavath Torah Congregation,^[1]^[2] with 25 members,^[2] and Rev. M. L. Graham as its spiritual head.^[3] That year the congregation began construction of its first synagogue building on Porter Street,^[1] which was dedicated on October 14, 1919.^[2] The congregation was, however, only officially incorporated on September 5, 1930.^[2]

In 1954, Ahavath Achim opened its religious school.^[2] In need of a larger synagogue building, it purchased and moved into the former Congregational Church at 30 Pearl Street in 1958.^[1]^[2] As Stoughton's Jewish population grew, membership increased to 72 families, and land was purchased in three stages for a new synagogue. The present building at 1179 Central Street was dedicated in 1970. Further growth led to a significant renovation and expansion of the synagogue building, which was completed in 1987.^[2]

Overview

The synagogue has hosted many notable guest speakers, including Geert Wilders,^[4]^[5] Wafa Sultan,^[6] and Dr. Mordechai Kedar,^[7] as well as entertainment from singer Sam Glaser,^[8] and a Bob Lazarus memorial show.^[9]

Congregational rabbis have included Henry Gerson, David Oler, Harold Schechter,^[2] and Steven Conn.^[10] As of 2010^[update], the rabbi is Jonathan Hausman.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Lambert, David Allen. Stoughton, Arcadia Publishing, 2001, p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7385-0941-9
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Our History, Ahavath Torah website. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
^ "Chronology of Stoughton History". Stoughtonhistory.com. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
^ "An Interview with a Local Hero: Rabbi Jon Hausman > Jerry Gordon". New English Review. December 18, 2008. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
^ Schwartz, Penny (February 27, 2009). "Synagogue hails Dutch lawmaker as a hero". JTA. Archived from the original on March 6, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
^ "Wafa Sultan at Ahavath Torah Video". Pakistan.tv. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
^ "Dr. Mordechai Kedar on "Arab Terrorism and the Myth of al Aqsa"". JStreetJive. February 9, 2010. Archived from the original on February 13, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
^ "Tour Schedule". Sam Glaser. January 8, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
^ "Bob Lazarus Memorial Comedy Show Tickets, Discount Tickets and Information – Boston Metro". Theater Mania. June 14, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
^ Hart, Jordana. "Stoughton seeks answers for house filled with slurs", The Boston Globe, November 14, 1992.