Passaic's Historic Synagogues
As we continue to focus on historic synagogues of Passaic, Bergen and Hudson counties, this week we feature synagogue photos from the City of Passaic. Passaic at one time had many congregations due to the factionalism which occurred in the early 20th century. Many of the photos presented are part of the Steven Weintraub Collection.
Congregation B'Nai Jacob met in various locations in Passaic prior to its incorporation in 1889. The synagogue building at Washington Place and Columbus Ave. was acquired the same year from the Holland Church and was Passaic’s oldest synagogue.
Congregation Bikkur Cholim was established in 1897 at 20 Second St. by a breakaway group from Congregation B’Nai Jacob and later the congregation built its own synagogue on Market Street. Congregation Bikkur Cholim had its own share of congregants who broke away to start their own synagogues.
On the left is the synagogue of Congregation of Hungarian Hebrew Men located on Dayton Street. The congregation was established in 1906 and had its synagogue’s dedication in 1910. On the right is Congregation Tifereth Israel (a break-away congregation from Bikkur Cholim). This synagogue, also known as the Galizianer Shul, was built in 1927 on Madison Street.
On the left is the synagogue of Congregation Hebrew Leibowitz. This congregation was a Hassidic group that also split from Bikkur Cholim and in 1901 established its own synagogue at 44 Second St. In 1957 the synagogue was located at 52 Hope Ave. On the right is the synagogue of Congregation Adas Israel which was erected on Tulip Street in 1928.
On the left is the synagogue of Congregation Chevra Thilim (yet another breakaway from Bikkur Cholim) which was also organized in 1906. The synagogue was built in 1911 on Hope Avenue. On the right is Congregation Beth Israel, which also came into being in 1911, and stood at the corner of Columbia Ave and Madison St.