Congregation Agudas Achim records

Congregation Agudas Achim Anshe Sfard was founded in 1887 to provide the members, primarily immigrants from Romania, with the "minhag Sefard." It was also known as the Romanische Shul. A group of Russian members broke off in 1906 to form Tifereth Israel Anshe Russian (eventually known as Teferes Israel).

Agudas Achim's earliest rabbi was Isaac Hurewitz who served from the time of his arrival in Hartford in 1893 until his death in 1935. (Rabbi Hurewitz concurrently served other congregations as well.)

During the early years, the majority of the congregation was living on very small incomes and met in the homes of members. In 1900, however, with increased prosperity the congregation was able to acquire a lot with a house on it at 296 Market Street. In 1902 or 1903, it built a synagogue at the rear of the house.

In 1928, responding to the population shift to the north, the congregation moved into its newly constructed synagogue at 221 Greenfield Street. A major addition for a school and auditorium was completed in 1956. Then in response to the population shift to the west, Agudas Achim moved into its current synagogue in West Hartford in 1969 (ground was broken in October of 1967).

Another important figure in the history of Agudas Achim is Rabbi Abraham AvRutick who led there for 36 years, beginning in 1946, and was given life tenure. Among his achievements was his election to the presidency of the Rabbinical Council of America in 1962. Along with the move to the suburbs, the appointment of Rabbi AvRutick represents the continuing evolution of the congregation from a very traditional East European group to an American orthodox community.

During the 1990s, Agudas Achim, like many synagogues, experienced a decline in membership. As the congregation dwindled and aged, its future was in question. Since the arrival of Rabbi Schlomo Yaffe in 2001 membership increased especially among young families, and Agudas Achim began to experiment with innovations in tradition, ritual, and education.

The synagogue closed at the end of 2020 and there has been no mention of a formal consolidation with another synagogue.