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Congregation Tiferes Yisroel

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Coordinates: 39°21′30″N 76°41′34.5″W / 39.35833°N 76.692917°W / 39.35833; -76.692917
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For similarly named synagogues, see Tifereth Israel.

Congregation Tiferes Yisroel – Beis Dovid
Hebrew: תפארת ישראל בית דוד
Exterior of Congregation Tiferes Yisroel
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism
RiteNusach Sefard
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
LeadershipRabbi Menachem Goldberger
StatusActive
Location
Location6201 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland
CountryUnited States
Congregation Tiferes Yisroel is located in Baltimore
Congregation Tiferes Yisroel
Location in Baltimore
Geographic coordinates39°21′30″N 76°41′34.5″W / 39.35833°N 76.692917°W / 39.35833; -76.692917
Architecture
Date established1986 (as a congregation)
Completed1994
Website
tiferesyisroel.org

Congregation Tiferes Yisroel – Beis Dovid (Hebrew: תפארת ישראל בית דוד), also known as Rabbi Goldberger's Shul, is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue located at 6201 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States. The congregation rabbi is Rabbi Menachem Goldberger.

History

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Rabbi Menachem Goldberger

Congregation Tiferes Yisroel was founded in 1986 by twelve families and individuals in Baltimore, who invited Rabbi Menachem Goldberger, a native of Denver, to be their rabbi.[1][2] The congregation initially met in a private home, hosting 126 people at their first Rosh Hashanah services; after about nine months, when membership had increased to over 70 families, the congregation purchased what had been the B'nai Akiva building in Baltimore.[2] In 1993 the synagogue bought its present home on Park Heights Avenue,[2] into which it moved in 1994.[3] As of its 25th anniversary in 2011, the congregation numbered 140 families.[1]

The congregation is not affiliated with any of the various umbrella Orthodox organizations, but is a Hasidic shtiebel with Haredi leanings.[citation needed] Prayer services are conducted in Nusach Sefard.[3] Goldberger draws his inspiration as a Hasidic rabbi[4][5] from the teachings of Rabbi Shlomo Twerski, of whom he was a close student.[1] The congregation emphasizes music and singing as a vehicle for religious worship.[3] Goldberger has released a compilation of his own, original religious compositions, called L'cha Dodi.[6][7][8]

Other areas of specific emphasis are the importance of family, the Land of Israel, and the lifelong goal of Torah study.[citation needed] The congregation welcomes all Jews, especially those who were not raised in the Orthodox Jewish tradition, such as Baalei teshuva or converts to Judaism.[3][9]

In conjunction with the synagogue's 25th anniversary in 2011, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore proclaimed March 13, 2011 as "Rabbi Menachem Goldberger Day".[citation needed]

Bitcoin

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In May 2013 Tiferes Yisroel became the only American religious institution to accept bitcoin for dues, donations, and other payments.[10] Over a period of nine months, the synagogue collected 1.98 bitcoins, worth approximately $1,253.[10] The congregation stopped accepting bitcoin in March 2014 following the collapse of the Mt. Gox bitcoin exchange.[10][11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "The Other Rabbi Goldberger". Intermountain Jewish News. April 22, 2011. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Gerr, Melissa (September 25, 2013). "'I Will Beautify Him'". Baltimore Jewish Times. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d "Baltimore's Jewish Neighborhoods – Case Study: Park Heights Avenue" (PDF). Jewish Museum of Maryland. n.d. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  4. ^ "'Day of Focus' Educates and Inspires" (PDF). Batya. XLIII (IV): 2. June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  5. ^ Jacobs, Phil (May 16, 2003). "A Leader in His Field" (PDF). Baltimore Jewish Times. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  6. ^ "From Hornesteipel to Denver to Baltimore". Heichal HaNegina. September 27, 2005. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  7. ^ "Baltimore Niggunim of Rabbi Menachem Goldberger". Jewish Music Web Center. November 11, 2004. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  8. ^ "Rabbi Menachem Goldberger: L'cha Dodi". AllMusic. 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  9. ^ "Oorah and KirbyCard: Painlessly Paying the Kiruv Bill". Kashrus. 24. Yeshiva Birkas Reuven: 88. 2003.
  10. ^ a b c Alfonso III, Fernando (March 6, 2014). "How Mt. Gox scared off the first and only Bitcoin synagogue". The Daily Dot. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  11. ^ Kaplan, Michael (March 11, 2014). "Bitcoin Bites the Dust at Baltimore Shul After MtGox Goes Bust". The Jewish Daily Forward. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
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