Ohavi Zedek
{{Short description|Synagogue in Burlington, Vermont, USA}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{about|the current Conservative synagogue and congregation|the historic synagogue|Old Ohavi Zedek Synagogue}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Ohavi Zedek
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| image = Ohavi Zedek, Burlington VT.jpg
| image_upright = 1.4
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| caption = The current Ohavi Zedek synagogue
| religious_affiliation = Conservative Judaism
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| leadership = Rabbi Aaron Philmus
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| status = Synagogue
| functional_status = Active
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| location = 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, Vermont 05401
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| country = United States
| map_type = USA Vermont
| map_size = 250
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| map_caption = Location in Vermont
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| coordinates = {{coord|44.486372|-73.20111|region:US-VT_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
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| established = 1876 {{small|(as a congregation)}}
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| year_completed = {{ubl|1885 {{small|(Old Ohavi Zedek)}}|1952 {{small|(North Prospect St.)}}}}
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| website = {{url|ohavizedek.org}}
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Ohavi Zedek (Hebrew for "Lovers of Justice") is a Conservative congregation and synagogue located at 188 North Prospect Street, in Burlington, Vermont, in the United States.
History
Founded in 1876, it is the oldest Jewish congregation in Vermont.{{cite book |author=Samuelson, Myron |title=The story of the Jewish community of Burlington, Vermont: from early times to 1946, with much about the Jewish community in the state |year=1976 |publisher= |location= |isbn= |page= }}{{cite book |author=Chiat, Marilyn J. |title=America's Religious Architecture: Sacred Places for Every Community |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |year=1997 |page=31 |isbn=9780471145028 }} The synagogue's original building, Old Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, a brick Gothic Revival structure erected in 1885, is among the oldest synagogue buildings still standing in the United States.{{cite journal |title=Rediscovering Jewish Infrastructure: Update on United States Nineteenth Century Synagogues |author=Gordon, Mark W. |journal=American Jewish History |volume=84 |number=1 |year=1996 |pages=11-27 |url=http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/american_jewish_history/v084/84.1gordon.html |issn= |access-date= |doi= }} The building, at the corner of Archibald and Hyde Streets in Burlington, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The congregation moved to its present location on North Prospect Street in 1952. The Archibald Street building is now occupied by Congregation Ahavath Gerim.{{cite web |url=https://jcskiing.wixsite.com/ahavath-gerim/history |title=History |work=Ahavath Gerim Synagogue |date= |access-date= }}
Today, Ohavi Zedek serves as home to a historic mural, known as the "Lost Mural", painted originally in 1910 by Ben Zion Black on the ceiling of another of Burlington's former synagogues, Chai Adam. The mural was moved to its new home in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Kuta |first=Sarah |title=Why Was a Synagogue Mural Hidden Behind a Wall in a Vermont Apartment? |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/synagogue-mural-restoration-vermont-apartment-180980614/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}} Since, the mural has been restored and is a unique surviving example of Eastern European synagogue art.{{Cite web |last=Novak |first=Alison |title=Burlington's 'Lost Mural' Is Restored to Its Original Glory |url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture/burlingtons-lost-mural-is-restored-to-its-original-glory-35853053 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Seven Days |language=en}}
In 2019, the building was vandalized with inflammatory posters by Patriot Front.{{Cite web |last=WCAX |date=2019-02-06 |title=Burlington police investigate white supremacist vandalism |url=https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Burlington-police-investigate-white-supremacist-vandalism-505465891.html |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=WCAX |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Aloe |first=Jess |title=Pride Center, Old North End synagogue hit by 'white nationalist hate group' posters |url=https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2019/02/07/pride-center-synagogue-patriot-front-burlington-racism-white-nationalist-hate-group-posters/2799437002/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Burlington Free Press |language=en-US}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.ohavizedek.org/}}
{{Synagogues in the United States}}
Category:Conservative synagogues in the United States
Category:Synagogues in Vermont
Category:Jewish organizations established in 1876
Category:Synagogues completed in 1885
Category:Buildings and structures in Burlington, Vermont
Category:1876 establishments in Vermont
Category:Synagogues completed in 1952
Category:Jews and Judaism in Burlington, Vermont
Category:20th-century synagogues in the United States
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