Congregation Kether Torah (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

Congregation Keser Torah was organized in 1907 by a group of Orthodox Jews who had immigrated to Pittsburgh from the Russian province of Volinia. They began meeting in the home of Solomon Linder and called themselves Congregation Anshe Volinia. By 1910, they had 50 members and were able to move into a hired hall for prayer. The congregation became officially charted under the name Congregation Keser Torah in 1914 and opened their membership to all Jews. With their membership growing, the congregation was able to purchase a cemetery lot in Millvale, Pa., in 1916, and, in 1920, to build a new synagogue, at the corner of Webster Avenue and Erin Street in the Pittsburgh Hill District. The synagogue was formally dedicated in 1921. In 1922, the members unanimously elected Rabbi A.M. Ashinsky to be their spiritual leader and offered him a lifetime contract. By 1957, the congregation changed its name to Congregation Kether Torah and moved to 5706 Bartlett Street in Squirrel Hill.