# Rodef Shalom Congregation

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Reform synagogue in Easton, Pennsylvania, United States

For similarly named synagogues, see [Rodeph Shalom](/source/Rodeph_Shalom_(disambiguation)).

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Rodef Shalom Congregation Hebrew: רודף שלום Rodef Shalom's celebrated façade Religion Affiliation Reform Judaism Ecclesiastical or organizational status Synagogue Leadership Rabbi Sharyn H. Henry Status Active Location Location 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Country United States Location in Pittsburgh Coordinates 40°26′53″N 79°56′37″W / 40.44806°N 79.94361°W / 40.44806; -79.94361 Architecture Architects Henry Hornbostel (1907) Ingham & Boyd (1938) Alexander Sharove (1956) Harry Lefkowitz (1956) The Design Alliance (2000) Type Synagogue Style Beaux-Arts Established 1856 (as a congregation) Completed 1906 Construction cost $250,000 Specifications Capacity 1,200 worshippers Dome One Dome dia. (outer) 90 feet (27 m) Website rodefshalom.org Rodef Shalom Template U.S. National Register of Historic Places Pittsburgh Landmark – PHLF NRHP reference No. 79002162 Significant dates Added to NRHP November 5, 1979 Designated PHLF 2022 [1][2]

**Rodef Shalom Congregation** ([Hebrew](/source/Hebrew_language): רודף שלום, [lit.](/source/Literal_translation) 'Pursuer of Peace') is an historic [Reform](/source/Reform_Judaism) [Jewish](/source/Jewish) congregation and [synagogue](/source/Synagogue) located at 4905 [Fifth Avenue](/source/Fifth_Avenue_(Pittsburgh)), [Pittsburgh](/source/Pittsburgh), [Pennsylvania](/source/Pennsylvania), in the United States. The landmark building was designed by architect [Henry Hornbostel](/source/Henry_Hornbostel) and completed in the [Beaux-Arts](/source/Beaux-Arts_architecture) style.[3]

Located on Fifth Avenue on the border of the [Oakland](/source/Oakland_(Pittsburgh)) and [Shadyside](/source/Shadyside_(Pittsburgh)) neighborhoods, it houses Congregation Rodef Shalom, founded in 1856, the [oldest Jewish congregation](/source/Oldest_synagogues_in_the_United_States) in [Western Pennsylvania](/source/Western_Pennsylvania) and the largest Reform congregation in the area. On the grounds of the building is the [Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden](/source/Rodef_Shalom_Biblical_Botanical_Garden).

The synagogue building was entered into the [National Register of Historic Places](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places) on November 5, 1979[3] and was listed as a [Pittsburgh Historic Landmark](/source/Pittsburgh_History_and_Landmarks_Foundation) in 2022.[4]

## History

In 1847, a dozen Jewish Pittsburghers established a burial society they called Bes Almon (Mourners’ House) and purchased land on Troy Hill, on the city's North Side, for use as a cemetery.

### Early years

By 1848, the group had rented a room downtown, on Penn Avenue and Sixth Street, and formed a congregation called Shaare Shemayim (Gate of Heaven). They practiced [Orthodox Judaism](/source/Orthodox_Judaism).

The congregation's charter, dated November 9, 1856, gives as its primary objectives “the furtherance of the cause of Religion” and “the establishment of a good school in which the young shall be instructed in the principles of the Hebrew Religion as well as general branches of knowledge.”

Over the next eight years, some members twice split off into separate congregations, but then rejoined. Congregation Beth Israel (House of Israel) formed in 1852 but was back within a year. Another group separated in 1855, but rejoined in 1860, a year after Shaare Shemayim rented a hall on St. Clair Street in [Allegheny City](/source/Allegheny%2C_Pennsylvania) (now the North Side of the city of Pittsburgh). The re-merged congregations took the name Rodef Shalom at that time, with thirty-five member families, and fifty children enrolled in the school.

Outgrowing the rental, construction began on its own building in 1861. Designed by architect [Charles Bartberger](/source/Charles_Bartberger), the first temple was built on Hancock Street (now Eighth Street) in downtown Pittsburgh. The dedication ceremony, on March 20, 1862, featured Rev. William Armhold, Minister, addressing the congregation in German. [Josiah Cohen](/source/Josiah_Cohen), a teacher in the congregation's day school, delivered a speech in English. Pittsburgh's finest vocalist, Sigmund Apfelbaum performed.

### Switch to Reform

The first Jewish confirmation in Pittsburgh was held in 1862 for six girls and one boy.

In 1863, [Isaac M. Wise](/source/Isaac_Mayer_Wise), a founder of [Reform Judaism](/source/Reform_Judaism) in America, came to Pittsburgh. He had a great impact, and shortly after his visit, the congregation voted to adopt some Reform practices, including the Reform prayer book. The change didn't suit all Rodef Shalom congregants, with some resigning and forming the Orthodox, later Conservative, [Tree of Life Synagogue](/source/Tree_of_Life_%E2%80%93_Or_L'Simcha_Congregation).

The transition to full Reform practices came ins stages. As the years passed, services were shortened, women and men sat together, and an organ was installed—music was vital to Rodef Shalom even then, as the choir, directed by Bertha (Mrs. Jacob) Benswanger, was reputed to be “one of the best in the country.”

The transition to the English language took time. When Louis Naumburg became minister in 1865, he spoke in German. [Lippman Mayer](/source/Lippman_Mayer), who succeeded him in 1870, spoke English but was more comfortable in German. Mayer, a strong proponent of Reform, later founded the [Jewish Chautauqua Society](/source/Jewish_Chautauqua_Society). The changes didn't stop with language: By 1874, it was no longer mandatory for men to wear a hat or yarmulke and the congregation had joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.

Major changes for Rodef Shalom occurred in 1885. The congregation hosted a national convention rabbis, organized by Reform leadership. The resulting "[Pittsburgh Platform](/source/Pittsburgh_Platform)" declared that Judaism was a religion, not a nation, and that the Bible was an ethical guide, not the infallible word of God. It stated that American Jews do not have to keep [kosher](/source/Kashrut). This Pittsburgh Platform guided North American Reform Judaism until 1937, and caused a major split in American Jewry between liberal and traditional groups*.*

### 20th century

The 1901 temple on Eighth Street in downtown Pittsburgh (architect Charles Bickel)

[J. Leonard Levy](/source/J._Leonard_Levy), a dynamic leader with an internationalist outlook, became Rodef Shalom's Rabbi in 1901. He had served congregations in [Bristol](/source/Bristol), England; [Sacramento](/source/Sacramento%2C_California), California; and [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia). Rabbi Levy was known for his work to strengthen interfaith communication in Pittsburgh and beyond. During his Pittsburgh tenure, he started an international peace organization and co-edited the weekly [Jewish Criterion](/source/Jewish_Criterion), in addition to preaching at both [Sabbath](/source/Shabbat) and Sunday services at Rodef Shalom.

At Levy's invitation, President William Howard Taft visited Rodef Shalom on Saturday, May 29, 1909. This was the first recorded time that a sitting United States president spoke in a synagogue.

During Levy's rabbinate, Rodef Shalom nearly tripled, growing from 132 member families at his start to 363 by 1908. Pittsburgh was changing. New immigration patterns brought more Jews to the city and new demographic patterns saw many of these new arrivals and longer-standing congregants moving from Allegheny City and the Hill District to emerging eastern neighborhoods like [Oakland](/source/Oakland_(Pittsburgh)), [Shadyside](/source/Shadyside_(Pittsburgh)), and [East Liberty](/source/East_Liberty_(Pittsburgh)). Nevertheless, more than half of Rodef Shalom's members still lived near the Allegheny City Temple, so when a move was suggested due to crowded conditions, the congregation opted to expand where it stood. The original Temple building was torn down in 1900, replaced by a [Charles Bickel](/source/Charles_Bickel)-designed edifice. The new, larger structure was dedicated on September 6 and 7, 1901. Shortly thereafter, an annex was added for religious school classes. By 1904, however, the congregation had already outgrown the space.

Congregational leaders came to see Oakland, Shadyside, and [Squirrel Hill](/source/Squirrel_Hill_(Pittsburgh)) as the new cultural and residential centers of Pittsburgh. Rodef Shalom sold its new-but-outdated home to the Second Presbyterian Church, their downtown neighbor, for $150,000 and began its move toward the east, buying a lot near the corner of Morewood and Fifth avenues for $60,000. (See [Architecture](#Architecture).)

[Samuel H. Goldenson](/source/Samuel_H._Goldenson) came to Rodef Shalom in 1918, a year after Rabbi Levy's untimely death. He instituted further reform practices, persuading members to give up their privately owned pews in favor of a more democratic system of unassigned seats, a decision that attracted many more members.

[Solomon B. Freehof](/source/Solomon_Freehof) replaced Goldenson when he left for [New York's](/source/New_York_City) Congregation [Emanu-El](/source/Congregation_Emanu-El_of_New_York) in 1934. He provided regular preaching, and also wrote extensively on Jewish law and ritual. Freehof chaired the group that updated the Union Prayer Book. He wrote book reviews for over 35 years, with a readership of more than 1,500 Christians and Jews. He was president of the [Central Conference of American Rabbis](/source/Central_Conference_of_American_Rabbis) and the [World Union for Progressive Judaism](/source/World_Union_for_Progressive_Judaism). His wife [Lillian](/source/Lillian_Freehof) wrote plays and novels and organized Braille services.

The Religious School added the Levy Hall auditorium (designed by Ingham & Boyd), and the Cohen Chapel, completed in 1938. A large social hall, named in honor of Dr. Freehof, was built in 1956, and an addition to the back of the building provided an entrance from the parking lot, funded by Allen H. and Selma W. Berkman. With more congregants than the Temple could serve, Rodef Shalom encouraged the creation of new Reform congregations, helping shepherd Temple Sinai in Squirrel Hill, Temple Emanuel in the [South Hills](/source/South_Hills_(Pennsylvania)), and Temple David in Monroeville into existence.

Freehod retired in 1966, and was succeeded by his assistant, Dr. [Walter Jacob](/source/Walter_Jacob), originally hired in 1955. Membership peaked at approximately 2,300 families in the early 1960s. Jacob founded the Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah and was president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He and his wife Irene established the Biblical Botanical Garden at Rodef Shalom in 1986. Now[*[as of?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] As Rabbi Emeritus of Rodef Shalom, Dr. Jacob remained active in Pittsburgh and abroad. He was instrumental in the creation of [Abraham Geiger College](/source/Abraham-Geiger-Kolleg), the first rabbinic training college in Germany since the Holocaust.

### 21st century

Dr. Mark Staitman, associate rabbi since 1975, served as Rabbi of the Congregation from 1997–2003. Dr. Staitman is known for his involvement with [Soviet Jewry](/source/History_of_the_Jews_in_the_Soviet_Union) and served as Chairman of the [National Coalition Supporting Soviet Jewry](/source/National_Coalition_Supporting_Soviet_Jewry).

Following Dr. Staitman's retirement, Rabbi Aaron Bisno became the senior rabbi of Rodef Shalom. Rabbi Bisno was removed from his position in 2022 following what the congregation's board said were "personnel allegations” and “workplace culture concerns.”[5]

Rabbi Sharon Henry, who joined the congregation in 1999, became the senior Rabbi in 2022 until her retirement in 2025.[6]

In 1989-1990 a major capital campaign restored the sanctuary. In 2000–2003, other areas of the building were updated for contemporary usage and handicap accessibility and a new [porte-cochere](/source/Porte-coch%C3%A8re) entrance from the parking lot was added.[7]

On October 30, 2018 Rodef Shalom hosted the memorial service for Cecil and David Rosenthal, victims of the [Tree of Life Synagogue shooting](/source/Pittsburgh_synagogue_shooting) that had occurred three days earlier. Among the attendees were members of the [Pittsburgh Steelers](/source/Pittsburgh_Steelers).[8][9]

In December 2023 it was announced that Rodef Shalom and Temple Sinai, on Forbes Avenue, having split eighty years earlier, were beginning plans to form closer collaboration.[10] On June 8th, 2025 both Rodef Shalom and Temple Sinai, approved a plan to unify as a new congregation at Rodef Shalom's current building.[11]

## Architecture

Rodef Shalom Congregation from Fifth Avenue

A design competition was held and [Henry Hornbostel](/source/Henry_Hornbostel) — the architect [Andrew Carnegie](/source/Andrew_Carnegie) selected to create Carnegie Institute of Technology (now [Carnegie Mellon University](/source/Carnegie_Mellon_University))—emerged the winner. Hornbostel's [Beaux Arts](/source/Beaux_arts_architecture) styling merged the traditional with the modern. The double dome, 90 feet (27 m) in diameter, was constructed without structural steel, instead using the [Catalan vault](/source/Catalan_vault), a Spanish vernacular style brought to the U.S. by [Rafael Guastavino](/source/Rafael_Guastavino).[12]

For the exterior, Hornbostel chose local yellow brick, augmented with colored terra cotta flourishes. The design incorporated four representational stained glass windows by [William Willet](/source/William_Willet), saved from the 1901 building, along with a large stained glass skylight in the dome and a lunette over the Fifth Avenue entrance. They installed a 1907 [Kimball](/source/Kimball_International) organ, the largest of its kind still in use. It seats more than 900 on the first floor and 300 in the gallery. The building was finished in time for High Holy Day services in 1907 at a cost of $250,000.

## Notable members

- [Edgar J. Kaufmann](/source/Edgar_J._Kaufmann), businessman and philanthropist[3] who owned [Kaufmann's Department Store](/source/Kaufmann's) and commissioned [Fallingwater](/source/Fallingwater) and [Kaufmann Desert House](/source/Kaufmann_Desert_House)[13]

- [Jonas Salk](/source/Jonas_Salk), [virologist](/source/Virologist) and medical researcher who developed one of the first successful [polio vaccines](/source/Polio_vaccine)[3]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nris_1-0)** ["National Register Information System"](https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP). *[National Register of Historic Places](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places)*. [National Park Service](/source/National_Park_Service). April 15, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-PHLF_2-0)** [*Historic Landmark Plaques 1968-2009*](http://www.phlf.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/Historic-Plaques-2010b.pdf) (PDF). Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NRHP-nom_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NRHP-nom_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-NRHP-nom_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-NRHP-nom_3-3) Ellis L. Schmidlapp (n.d.). [National Register of Historic Places Registration: Pennsylvania SP Rodef Shalom Temple](https://catalog.archives.gov/id/71997764). National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved December 7, 2025. (Downloading may be slow.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Vellucci, Justin (May 30, 2022). ["Rodef Shalom headed toward historic landmark designation"](https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/rodef-shalom-headed-toward-historic-landmark-designation/). *Jewish Chronicle*. Retrieved December 24, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Tabachnick,Toby (July 1, 2022). ["Rabbi Aaron Bisno assumes new role at Rodef Shalom"](https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/rabbi-aaron-bisno-assumes-new-role-at-rodef-shalom/). *Jewish Chronicle*. Retrieved June 17, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Tabachnick, Toby (June 10, 2025). ["The exit interview: Rabbi Sharyn Henry"](https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/the-exit-interview-rabbi-sharyn-henry/). *Jewish Chronicle*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["HISTORY"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190503115204/https://www.rodefshalom.org/history). *Rodef Shalom Official Website - History Page*. Archived from [the original](https://rodefshalom.org/history) on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Rosen, Armin (October 31, 2018). ["The Funeral of David and Cecil Rosenthal"](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/the-funeral-of-david-and-cecil-rosenthal). *The Tablet Magazine*. Retrieved December 24, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** McCammon, Sarah; Meyer, Katie (October 30, 2013). ["'The Boys' Laid To Rest In Pittsburgh"](https://www.npr.org/2018/10/30/661940937/funerals-begin-for-pittsburgh-shooting-victims). *[National Public Radio](/source/National_Public_Radio)*. Retrieved December 24, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Rullo, David (December 20, 2023). ["Rodef Shalom, Temple Sinai begin process to explore collaboration"](https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/rodef-shalom-temple-sinai-begin-process-to-explore-collaboration/). *Jewish Chronicle*. Retrieved December 24, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Rullo, David (June 9, 2025). ["Rodef Shalom, Temple Sinai begin process to explore collaboration"](https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/rodef-shalom-temple-sinai-members-approve-unification/). *Jewish Chronicle*. Retrieved June 17, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Symposium Marks Centennial for Rodef Shalom, Western PA's Oldest Jewish Sanctuary"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190503121200/https://phlf.org/2007/10/03/symposium-marks-centennial-for-rodef-shalom-western-pas-oldest-jewish-sanctuary/). October 3, 2007. Archived from [the original](https://phlf.org/2007/10/03/symposium-marks-centennial-for-rodef-shalom-western-pas-oldest-jewish-sanctuary/) on May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["DEATHS"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1955/04/16/93538746.html?action=click&contentCollection=Archives&module=ArticleEndCTA&region=ArchiveBody&pgtype=article&pageNumber=19). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. April 16, 1955. Retrieved October 7, 2016.

## Further reading

- Kidney, Walter C. (2002). *Henry Hornbostel: An Architect's Master Touch*. Pittsburgh: [Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation](/source/Pittsburgh_History_and_Landmarks_Foundation) & Roberts Rinehart Publishers. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-57098-398-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-57098-398-4).

- [Toker, Franklin](/source/Franklin_Toker) (1994) [1986]. [*Pittsburgh: An Urban Portrait*](https://archive.org/details/pittsburghurbanp00toke). Pittsburgh: [University of Pittsburgh Press](/source/University_of_Pittsburgh_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-8229-5434-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8229-5434-6).

- Rodef Shalom Congregation (November 2021). ["Temple Rodef Shalom"](https://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/redtail/images/17430_DCP-HN-2021-01526_–_4905_5th_Avenue_Rodef_Shalom_-_Historic_Nomination.pdf) (PDF). *City of Pittsburgh Historic Landmark Nomination*. Historic Review Commission. [City of Pittsburgh](/source/City_of_Pittsburgh).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Rodef Shalom Temple](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Rodef_Shalom_Temple,_Pittsburgh).

- [Official website](http://rodefshalom.org/)

- [WQED onQ: Rodef Shalom](https://web.archive.org/web/20080615141136/http://www.wqed.org/ondemand/onq.php?cat=19&id=148)

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v t e Synagogues in the United States By state Alabama Beth-El (Anniston) Knesseth Israel (Birmingham) Beth-El (Birmingham) Emanu-El (Birmingham) B'nai Sholom (Huntsville) Sha’arai Shomayim (Mobile) Agudath Israel Etz Ahayem (Montgomery) Beth Or (Montgomery) Alaska Arizona Beth Israel (Scottsdale) Emanuel (Tempe) Kol Ami (Tucson) Arkansas Shalom (Fayetteville) California Los Angeles Stephen Wise Temple (Bel Air) Beth Jacob (Beverly Hills) Emanuel (Beverly Hills) Valley Beth Shalom (Encino) Beth Israel (Highland Park & Eagle Rock) Temple Israel (Hollywood) Beth Am IKAR (LA) Wilshire Boulevard (LA) Beth Chayim Chadashim (Mid City) Ahavat Shalom (Northridge) Kehillat Israel (Pacific Palisades) Ner Tamid (Rancho Palos Verdes) Jewish Temple and Center (Pasadena) Pacific Jewish Center (Venice) Sephardic Temple (Westwood) Sinai Temple (Westwood) Bay Area Beth Israel (Berkeley) Beyt Tikkun (Berkeley) Peninsula Temple Sholom (Burlingame) B'nai Israel (Daly City) Beth Am (Los Altos Hills) Kehilla Community (Oakland) Temple Sinai (Oakland) Am Tikvah (San Francisco) Beth Sholom (San Francisco) Emanu-El (San Francisco) House of Love and Prayer (San Francisco) The Kitchen (San Francisco) Sherith Israel (San Francisco) Rodef Sholom (San Rafael) Kol Shofar (Tiburon) Beth Israel (Fresno) Chabad (Poway) B'nai Israel (Sacramento) Beth Israel (San Diego) Temple Israel (Stockton) Colorado Beth HaMedrosh Hagodol-Beth Joseph (Denver) Temple Emanuel (Denver) Temple Sinai (Denver) Temple Emanuel (Pueblo) Temple Aaron (Trinidad) Connecticut B'nai Israel (Bridgeport) Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (Chester) Knesseth Israel (Ellington) Ahavath Achim (Fairfield) Mishkan Israel (Hamden) Beth Israel (Hartford West) Tephereth Israel (New Britain) Beth Israel (New Haven) Agudath Sholom (Stamford) Israel (Westport) B'nai Jacob (Woodbridge) Hebrew Congregation of Woodmont Delaware District of Columbia Adas Israel Bet Mishpachah DC Minyan Kesher Israel Machar Ohev Sholom Rosh Pina Sixth & I Temple Micah Washington Hebrew Florida Ahavath Chesed (Jacksonville) Bal Harbour (Surfside) Bet Shira (Miami) Edmond J. Safra (Miami) Beth Sholom (Miami Beach) Cuban Hebrew (Miami Beach) Emanu-El (Palm Beach) New (Palm Beach) Beth-El (Pensacola) Georgia Beth Jacob (Atlanta) Shearith Israel (Atlanta) Temple (Atlanta) B'nai Israel (Augusta) Beth Israel (Macon) B'nai Torah (Sandy Springs) Mickve Israel (Savannah) Hawaii Aloha Jewish Chapel (Pearl Harbor) Emanu-El (Honolulu) Idaho Ahavath Beth Israel (Boise) Illinois Chicagoland Anshe Emet Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Beth Shalom Emanuel Congregation KAM Isaiah Israel Loop Synagogue Makom Solel Lakeside Mishkan North Shore Congregation Israel Beth El (Highland Park) Temple Sholom Sinai Tzedek Moses Montefiore (Bloomington) Jewish Community Center (Mattoon) Anshai Emeth (Peoria) Indiana Achduth Vesholom (Fort Wayne) Indianapolis Hebrew Iowa B'nai Israel (Council Bluffs) Beit Shalom (Davenport) United Orthodox (Sioux City) Kansas Beth Israel Abraham Voliner (Kansas City) B'nai Jehudah (Overland Park) Kentucky Adath Israel Brith Sholom (Louisville) Anshei Sfard (Louisville) Keneseth Israel (Louisville) Adath Israel (Owensboro) Temple Israel (Paducah) Louisiana B'nai Israel (Alexandria) Gemiluth Chassodim (Alexandria) Anshe Sfard (New Orleans) Beth Israel (New Orleans) Sinai (New Orleans) Touro (New Orleans) B'Nai Zion (Shreveport) Maine Beth Israel (Bangor) Etz Chaim (Portland) Shaarey Tphiloh (Portland) Maryland Baltimore B'nai Israel Hebrew Beth Am Shearith Israel Shomrei Emunah Tiferes Yisroel Naval Academy (Annapolis) Beth El (Bethesda) Bethesda Jewish Congregation Beth Shalom (Columbia) B'er Chayim (Cumberland) B'Nai Israel (Easton) Beth Sholom (Frederick) Kol Ami (Frederick) Emanuel (Kensington) Oseh Shalom (Laurel) Magen David Sephardic (North Bethesda) Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah (Olney) Beth El (Pikesville) Beth Tfiloh (Pikesville) Har Sinai – Oheb Shalom (Pikesville) Beth Sholom and Talmud Torah (Potomac) Beth Israel (Salisbury) Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Silver Spring) B'nai Israel (Rockville) Massachusetts Temple Israel (Boston) Ohabei Shalom (Brookline) Kahal B'raira (Cambridge) Agudath Shalom (Chelsea) Beth Israel (Malden) Adams Street (Newton) Shaarei Tefillah (Newton) Beth Israel (North Adams) Beth Israel (Onset) Anshe Amunim (Pittsfield) Sinai Temple (Springfield) Ahavath Torah (Stoughton) Beth Israel (Worcester) Emanuel Sinai (Worcester) Michigan Beth El (Alpena) Beth Emeth (Ann Arbor) Beth Israel (Ann Arbor) Beth El (Detroit) Birmingham Temple (Detroit) Isaac Agree Downtown (Detroit) Temple Emanuel (Grand Rapids) Temple Jacob (Hancock) Beth Sholom (Marquette) Beth Israel (Jackson) Temple Israel (West Bloomfield) Minnesota Beth Jacob (Mendota Heights) Temple Israel (Minneapolis) Adath Jeshurun (Minnetonka) Beth El (St Louis Park) Mount Zion (St Paul) Or Emet (St Paul) Mississippi Adath Israel (Cleveland) Beth Israel (Jackson) Beth Israel (Meridian) B'nai Israel (Tupelo) Missouri United Hebrew (Chesterfield) B'nai Amoona (Creve Coeur) Shaare Emeth (Creve Coeur) Temple Israel (Creve Coeur) Beth El (Jefferson City) Montana Nebraska B'nai Jeshurun / South Street (Lincoln) Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey Beth Sholom (Cherry Hill) Kol Ami (Cherry Hill) Synagogue of Deal Beth Hillel (Deerville) Ahavath Torah (Englewood) Barnert (Franklin Lakes) Agudath Achim (Freehold) Etz Ahaim Sephardic (Highland Park) United Synagogue of Hoboken Beth-El (Jersey City) Adas Emuno (Leonia) B'Nai Abraham (Livingston) Shaari Emeth (Manalapan) Marlboro Jewish Center B'nai Israel (Millburn) Beth Hillel Beth Abraham (Millville) Morristown Jewish Center Beth Israel (Ridgewood) Rosenhayn Synagogue Oheb Shalom (South Orange) Beth El (Voorhees) New Mexico Albert (Albuquerque) B'nai Israel (Albuquerque) New York The Bronx Adath Israel Hebrew Institute Riverdale Center Riverdale Temple Brooklyn Magen David (Bensonhurst) Chevra Anshei Lubawitz (Borough Park) Shomrei Emunah (Borough Park) Young Israel Beth El (Borough Park) Kane Street/Baith Israel Anshei Emes (Cobble Hill) 770 (Crown Heights) CAY (Crown Heights) Kol Israel (Crown Heights) Beth El (Flatbush) Khal Hisachdus Yirieim Veretzky (Flatbush) Shaare Zion (Gravesend) Edmond J. Safra (Homecrest) Ocean Parkway (Kensington) Manhattan Beach Jewish Center B'nai Yosef (Mapleton) East Midwood (Midwood) Kingsway Center (Midwood) Sephardic Center (Mills Basin) Beth Elohim (Park Slope) Kolot Chayeinu (Park Slope) Park Slope (Park Slope) Beth Jacob Ohev Sholom (Williamsburg) Yetev Lev D'Satmar (Hooper St, Williamsburg) Yetev Lev D'Satmar (Rodney St, Williamsburg) Long Island Jewish Center (Atlantic Beach) Jewish Center (East Hampton) East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center North Country Reform (Glen Cove) Beth-El (Great Neck) Tifereth Israel (Greenport) Jericho Jewish Center Emanu-El (Long Beach) RSNS (Plandome) Beth Israel (Port Washington) Adas Israel (Sag Harbor) Aish Kodesh (Woodmere) Manhattan Altneu Sixth Street (East Village) Meserich (East Village) Beth Israel (Garment District) Millinery Center (Garment District) Old Broadway (Harlem) Actor's Temple (Hells Kitchen) Fort Tryon (Hudson Heights) Lincoln Square (Lincoln Square) Bialystoker (Lower East Side) City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism (Lower East Side) Chasam Sopher (Lower E. Side) Eldridge Street (Lower E. Side) Kehila Kedosha Janina (Lower E. Side) Shul of New York (Lower E. Side) Stanton Street (Lower East) Talmud Torah Adereth El (Midtown East) Lab/Shul (Lower W. Side) Beit Simchat Torah (Midtown) Central Synagogue (Midtown) Sutton Place (Midtown) TriBeCa Synagogue (Tribeca) Temple Emanu-El (Upper E. Side) Fifth Avenue (Upper E. Side) Temple Israel (Upper E. Side) Kehilath Jeshurun (Upper E. Side) Or Zarua (Upper E. Side) Park Avenue (Upper E. Side) Park East (Upper E. Side) Edmond J. Safra (Upper E. Side) Shaaray Tefila (Upper E. Side) TUJ (Upper E. Side) Ansche Chesed (Upper W. Side) B'nai Jeshurun (Upper W. Side) Habonim (Upper W. Side) Jewish Center (Upper W. Side) Kol Zimrah (Upper W. Side) Ohab Zedek (Upper W. Side) Ramath Orah (Upper W. Side) Rodeph Sholom (Upper W. Side) Romemu (Upper W. Side) Shaare Zedek (Upper W. Side) Shearith Israel (Upper W. Side) SAJ (Upper W. Side) Stephen Wise (Upper W. Side) Hebrew Tabernacle of Washington Heights K'hal Adath Jeshurun (Washington Hts.) Mount Sinai (Washington Hts.) Queens Center of Israel (Astoria) Etz Hayim (Bayside) Tifereth Israel (Corona) Free Synagogue of Flushing Georgian Jews (Forest Hills) Queens Center (Forest Hills) Rego Park (Rego Park) Beth Emeth (Albany) Beth David (Amenia) Beth Zion (Buffalo) Beth El (Chappaqua) Beth Shalom (Clifton Park) B'nai Israel (Fleischmanns) Hunter (Hunter) Kerhonkson Synagogue (Kerhonkson) Loch Sheldrake Synagogue Agudas Achim (Livingston Manor) Hebrew Congregation (Mountaindale) Jewish Center (Norwich) Beth Israel (Plattsburgh) Kneses Tifereth Israel (Port Chester) B'rith Kodesh (Rochester) Beth Tzedek (Getzville) South Fallsburg Hebrew Association Emanu-El (Staten Island) Anshei Glen Wild (Sullivan Co.) Bikur Cholim B'nai Israel (Swan Lake) Society of Concord (Syracuse) Berith Sholom (Troy) Beth Joseph Synagogue (Tupper Lake) Spring Glen Synagogue (Wawarsing) Ulster Heights Synagogue (Wawarsing) West Point Jewish Chapel Temple Israel (White Plains) B'nai Israel (Woodbourne) Ohave Shalom (Woodridge) Lincoln Park (Yonkers) North Carolina Beth Israel (Asheville) Temple Israel (Charlotte) Temple Israel (Kinston) Emanuel (Statesville) Temple of Israel (Wilmington) North Dakota B'nai Israel (Grand Forks) Ohio Tifereth-Israel (Beachwood) Agudas Achim (Bexley) Golf Manor (Cincinnati) Rockdale (Cincinnati) Wise Temple (Cincinnati) Anshe Chesed Fairmount (Cleveland) Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai (Cleveland) Park Synagogue (Cleveland) Silver Sanctuary (Cleveland) Temple Israel (Columbus) Temple Israel (Dayton) Beth Israel (Hamilton) B'nai Israel (Toledo) Oklahoma B'nai Israel (Oklahoma City) Temple Israel (Tulsa) Oregon Beth Israel (Eugene) Beth Israel (Portland) Havurah Shalom (Portland) Neveh Shalom (Portland) Shaarie Torah (Portland) Pennsylvania Philadelphia Beit Harambam Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel B'nai Abraham Frank Memorial Germantown Jewish Centre Keneseth Israel Kesher Israel Mikveh Israel Rodeph Shalom Shivtei Yeshuron-Ezras Israel Society Hill South Philadelphia Shtiebel Vilna Congregation YPC Shari-Eli Beth Israel (Altoona) Beth Israel (Chester Co.) B'nai Shalom (Easton) Anshe Hesed (Erie) Beth Shalom (Elkins Park) Kesher Israel (Harrisburg) Ohev Sholom (Harrisburg) Beth Israel (Honesdale) Beth Israel (Lebanon) Beth Or (Maple Glen) Adath Israel (Merion) B'nai Jacob (Middletown) Har Zion Temple (Penn Valley) Rodef Shalom (Pittsburgh) Tree of Life – Or L'Simcha (Pittsburgh) Kesher Zion (Reading) Beth Israel (Washington) Main Line Reform Temple (Wynnewood) Beth Israel (York) Rhode Island Touro (Newport) Beth-El (Providence) Sons of Jacob (Providence) South Carolina Beth Israel (Beaufort) Beth Elohim (Charleston) House of Peace (Columbia) Beth Israel (Florence) Beth Elohim (Georgetown) Kol Ami (Fort Mill) Sinai (Sumter) Tennessee Adas Israel (Brownsville) Mizpah (Chattanooga) B'nai Israel (Jackson) Baron Hirsch (Memphis) Temple Israel (Memphis) Ohabai Sholom (Nashville) Sherith Israel (Nashville) Texas Agudas Achim (Austin) Beth Israel (Austin) Emanuel (Beaumont) B'nai Abraham (Brenham) Emanu-El (Dallas) Beth Jacob (Galveston) B'nai Israel (Galveston) Beth Israel (Houston) Beth Yeshurun (Houston) Sinai (Houston) Beth-El (San Antonio) Utah B'rith Sholem (Ogden) Kol Ami (Salt Lake City) Vermont Ohavi Zedek (Burlington) Old Ohavi Zedek (Burlington) Rutland Jewish Center Virginia Agudas Achim (Alexandria) Beth El (Alexandria) Beth Israel (Charlottesville) Rodef Shalom (McLean) Sinai (Newport News) Commodore Levy Chapel (Norfolk) Beth Ahabah (Richmond) Kol Emes (Richmond) Beth Israel (Roanoke) Adath Israel (Rutland) House of Israel (Staunton) Beth El (Winchester) Washington Beth Israel (Bellingham) Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath (Seattle) Ezra Bessaroth (Seattle) Kavana Cooperative (Seattle) Sephardic Bikur Holim (Seattle) De Hirsch Sinai (Seattle and Belleview) West Virginia Ohev Sholom (Huntington) Shalom (Wheeling) Wisconsin Beth El (Madison) Beth Israel Ner Tamid (Milwaukee) Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun (River Hills) Wyoming Mt Sinai (Cheyenne) Territories Virgin Islands Oldest U.S. synagogues History Category People US places of worship

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF National United States Israel Other SNAC Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rodef Shalom Congregation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodef_Shalom_Congregation) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodef_Shalom_Congregation?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.