National Synagogue
Encyclopedia
The National Synagogue or Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah (Hebrew
for Lovers of Peace and Study of Torah); OSTT is the oldest Orthodox
synagogue in Washington, D.C.
The synagogue is located in the neighborhood of Shepherd Park
. It was formed from the merger of two earlier synagogues, Ohev Sholom and Talmud Torah.
, it does not signify the same relationship to the federal government. The cathedral's charter was passed by an act of the United States Congress. The National Synagogue has no such governmental designation.
once served as cantor. The combined Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah was formed as a 1958 merger between the Ohev Shalom and Talmud Torah Congregations, as both congregations relocated from southwest DC to the northern reaches of the city and built a combined building, which opened in 1960. Membership fell in the late twentieth century as Jewish families moved to the suburbs. The synagogue opened a branch composed largely of younger families in Olney, MD in 1994, which became the separate congregation Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah Congregation of Olney
between 2002 and 2005. Only a few, mostly older families, were left at the Washington DC location.
Early in the new century, a number of families who preferred urban life decided to attempt to revive Orthodox Jewish life in the Shepherd Park
neighborhood. Hiring a new rabbi, Shmuel Herzfeld
who was formerly the associate rabbi at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
synagogue headed by Rabbi Avi Weiss
, was central to this effort. The decision to rename the synagogue "The National Synagogue" in 2005 drew a good deal of criticism, not least from among other Jews, who felt that the name was a marketing label inaccurately implying a special position of leadership in the American Jewish community. Rabbi Herzfeld defended the choice on the grounds that the name makes clear that the synagogue is welcoming and open to everyone. Herzfeld insisted that in spite of the copyright on the phrase, other synagogues should feel free to use the same label.
The synagogue is noted as a particularly vibrant and fast-growing institution. Under the Rabbi Herzfeld's leadership, it has taken a number of unusual initiatives, including advertising its services with leaflets and television and radio spots, holding free Yom Kippur
services, and the installation of ramps and elevators to ensure that the synagogue is genuinely open to everyone. The National Synagogue has unusual financing for an American synagogue; it is primarily funded by large donations rather than member dues, and so member dues are much smaller than at other area synagogues, while outreach efforts are much greater.
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
for Lovers of Peace and Study of Torah); OSTT is the oldest Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
synagogue in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The synagogue is located in the neighborhood of Shepherd Park
Shepherd Park
Shepherd Park is a neighborhood in the northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C. In the years following World War II, restrictive covenants which had prevented Jews and African Americans from purchasing homes in the neighborhood were no longer enforced, and the neighborhood became largely Jewish and...
. It was formed from the merger of two earlier synagogues, Ohev Sholom and Talmud Torah.
Name
The copyrighted name "The National Synagogue" has been controversial. While it echoes the name of the Washington National CathedralWashington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
, it does not signify the same relationship to the federal government. The cathedral's charter was passed by an act of the United States Congress. The National Synagogue has no such governmental designation.
History
Ohev Shalom was founded in 1886, and the father of Al JolsonAl Jolson
Al Jolson was an American singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer"....
once served as cantor. The combined Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah was formed as a 1958 merger between the Ohev Shalom and Talmud Torah Congregations, as both congregations relocated from southwest DC to the northern reaches of the city and built a combined building, which opened in 1960. Membership fell in the late twentieth century as Jewish families moved to the suburbs. The synagogue opened a branch composed largely of younger families in Olney, MD in 1994, which became the separate congregation Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah Congregation of Olney
Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah Congregation of Olney
Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah Congregation of Olney , commonly known as OSTT, is a modern orthodox synagogue located on Georgia Avenue in Olney, Maryland.-History:...
between 2002 and 2005. Only a few, mostly older families, were left at the Washington DC location.
Early in the new century, a number of families who preferred urban life decided to attempt to revive Orthodox Jewish life in the Shepherd Park
Shepherd Park
Shepherd Park is a neighborhood in the northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C. In the years following World War II, restrictive covenants which had prevented Jews and African Americans from purchasing homes in the neighborhood were no longer enforced, and the neighborhood became largely Jewish and...
neighborhood. Hiring a new rabbi, Shmuel Herzfeld
Shmuel Herzfeld
Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, born October 9, 1974, in Staten Island, New York is an American Modern Orthodox rabbi who heads the National Synagogue, of Washington, DC. He is a teacher, lecturer, and activist....
who was formerly the associate rabbi at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
Hebrew Institute of Riverdale is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue in the Riverdale, Bronx neighborhood of New York City. Rabbi Avi Weiss has led the congregation since 1973....
synagogue headed by Rabbi Avi Weiss
Avi Weiss
Avraham Weiss is an American Modern Orthodox rabbi who heads the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in The Bronx, New York. He is an author, teacher, lecturer, and activist...
, was central to this effort. The decision to rename the synagogue "The National Synagogue" in 2005 drew a good deal of criticism, not least from among other Jews, who felt that the name was a marketing label inaccurately implying a special position of leadership in the American Jewish community. Rabbi Herzfeld defended the choice on the grounds that the name makes clear that the synagogue is welcoming and open to everyone. Herzfeld insisted that in spite of the copyright on the phrase, other synagogues should feel free to use the same label.
The synagogue is noted as a particularly vibrant and fast-growing institution. Under the Rabbi Herzfeld's leadership, it has taken a number of unusual initiatives, including advertising its services with leaflets and television and radio spots, holding free Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
services, and the installation of ramps and elevators to ensure that the synagogue is genuinely open to everyone. The National Synagogue has unusual financing for an American synagogue; it is primarily funded by large donations rather than member dues, and so member dues are much smaller than at other area synagogues, while outreach efforts are much greater.