Shaare Torah Congregation (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

The Shaare Torah Congregation was founded in 1880 by Orthodox Jewish immigrants to Pittsburgh during the city's industrial expansion. Many of the founders came from Lithuania and Eastern Europe. Several buildings were used as meeting places through the first years of the congregation until the first permanent synagogue was built in 1909. Rabbi Moshe Simon Sivitz served the congregation between from 1881 until his death in 1936. After this loss visiting Rabbis occupied the pulpit until January 10, 1943, when Rabbi Bernard A. Poupko was installed. On April 20, 1947, ground was broken for the congregation's current building at the intersection of Murray and Nicholson Avenues in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Since its founding, Shaare Torah Congregation has been an active center for worship, learning, and culture. It has undertaken many philanthropic efforts in the local Jewish community, such as establishing an annual scholarship to Yeshiva University and Hillel Academy and contributing to other Jewish institutions of higher learning in America and Israel. Shaare Torah is a member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. More information about Shaare Torah's current activity can be found on their Web site: http://www.shaaretorah.net/index.php.