<div>United Brethren of Hebron Synagogue is an important building in the center of Hebron Connecticut’s Historic District that holds significance for both the area’s Jewish community and the wider community. It serves as a house of worship for the area’s Jewish community and also as an educational, historical and cultural resource for people of all faiths.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The synagogue is listed in the State and National Historic Registers under its earlier name, Agudas Achim. And its unique design and decor has been documented in the international Synagogues 360 digital archive. It has also been designated as a 501 c3 non-profit.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Time and the elements have taken their toll on this historic landmark, threatening to erase a piece of our collective past.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We cannot let this happen.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Urgent renovation needs include the installation of a new roof, the replacement of rusting steel beams and repair of cracked masonry.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The Board of Directors of United Brethren of Hebron Synagogue is launching a critical fundraising campaign to ensure the ongoing preservation of this architectural gem. Our mission is clear: to restore its structural integrity, safeguard the synagogue for future generations of Jewish families, and continue to share its rich history and beauty with the community at large.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>History
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The history of United Brethren of Hebron Synagogue can be traced back to the 1880s when Jewish families migrated from Eastern Europe to rural Eastern Connecticut in search of religious freedom and a better life. With support from Jewish charitable organizations, many of these families were able to buy land and try their hand at farming. Over time a small congregation formed, celebrating holidays and Sabbath services in members’ homes.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Finally, in the mid-1930s the decision was made to build a synagogue. Construction began in 1940 based on plans developed by a member of the congregation, Ira “Izzy" Turshen. Community members of all faiths donated their time and skills to its construction and clergy from many houses of worship in Hebron participated in the 1941 dedication ceremony.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>While continuously serving the religious needs of the Jewish community, for many years, the building was also used by a variety of community organizations. During World War II, Red Cross volunteers rolled bandages to be used by soldiers overseas. Other groups using the synagogue included the Girl Scouts, 4-H Club, and even an
</div>
<div>elementary school woodworking class. Hebrew school classes also met at the temple, as young Jewish children learned about their religion and customs in classes that met after school and on Sundays.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Originally constructed as an Orthodox synagogue with a separate women’s section, the synagogue later affiliated with the Conservative movement. In the 1990s the congregation chose to become independent, striving to combine tradition with a flexible, inclusive approach to Judaism.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Unique Building Features
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Unlike the more modest synagogue buildings typically built in farming communities, the Hebron synagogue has a more elaborate design. Both the interior and brick exterior feature art deco elements. Scenes of Israel painted directly on the plaster walls and a ceiling mural of blue sky and clouds add a spiritual beauty to the sanctuary.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>United Brethren of Hebron Synagogue Today
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The congregation consists of approximately 25 families who attend monthly Shabbat services as well as High Holiday services. In addition, the building is open periodically for tours by local community members, so that they may learn more about its history and enjoy its special design. The synagogue collaborates with three area churches, occasionally hosting interfaith services and events.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Urgent Need for Building Repairs
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Over the years, the congregation has made upgrades to the building, including replacing the well pump, upgrading the bathrooms, installing new flooring and replacing the boiler. However, the current needs of the building are significantly beyond the financial capacity of the small congregation.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>A Facilities Condition Assessment completed in 2024 identifies the top priorities for preserving the building. At the very top of the list are three major projects to keep the building intact and preserve it for future use:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>· Replace the roof, which was last redone over 25 years ago and is now well past its useful life;
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>· Assess and address the deterioration of steel beams and columns that have been harmed by water infiltration from the leaking roof.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>· Evaluate and repair masonry cracks
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Updated cost estimates from the condition assessment report for architectural and engineering plans and construction costs are expected to be $285,000. While we will be seeking grant funding, that will take a significant amount of time and cannot be counted on. Additionally, several of the grants we may pursue require matching funds. We must raise funds immediately to kickstart these renovation projects. We are relying on your generosity to help us reach this goal.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>How You Can Help
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Donate: Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference in our efforts to preserve Hebron’s historic synagogue. Your donation will go directly toward essential restoration projects.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Spread the Word: Share our fundraiser with your friends, family, and colleagues. Help us raise awareness about the importance of preserving this historic landmark and encourage others to join our cause.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Please Donate Today
</div>
<div><br />
</div>

Dawn and Jack Steigelfest

Anonymous

MARC SCHWARTZ

David Kalla

Angelo Macmillan

Glenn Zorn

Joe and Jen Malloy

Rochelle Gimenez

Brenda Keleher

Bonnie Slyn

Dawn Fabik

Randall and Sharon Gordon

Jeffrey Pattison

Kimberly Moster

Deborah Wythe

Eileen McMurrer

Save Hebron Connecticut's Historic Synagogue

platform

Platform is iOS

Android

Adyen Google Pay Development Audience

$opt_dummy_attribute

English only

Deprecate Stripe Legacy

dyn_template_ids

Adyen V6 Bene Transfer & MyMoney Campaign Organizers - test01

Bene transfer V6 and AdyenV6MyMoney Campaign Organizers - production

OneTrust next-app audience

fundCountryCode

NextDoor Share Option Users

Fundraisers with Reactions feature capability

fundCurrencyCode

US + Non-charity COs Only

locale

fund country is US and user language is English

personId

comms-internal-person-ids

Enhanced Story Experience Users

Suggested Goal Experience Users

user language is English and fund country: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

Poster share - new funds eligible (newest 9/18)

Streaming widgets beta user

paymentProcessor

3DS payment method

user language is English and fundCountry: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

GoFundMe Employees

ipAddress

Mark Rieth IP Address

Version 9.2.0 and above

Fund is in English speaking country

desktop

Android v12.11.0 and above

Platform is Android

paymentMethodType

checkoutType

Payment method type group to be vaulted on success

admin pr kit prod

EUR Donation Upsell

Share Text generation Skip Fundraiser

(prod) new funds eligible for amp12 (UGC gallery)

fintrac_cad_idv_form_v2 audience

paymentProcessorAccountId

fallback mode accounts

proCampaignId

p2p legacy startfundraising page

be_supporter_comments_enabled_supported_funds

AMP24 New Funds Only PROD (DO NOT MODIFY)

countryCode

charityId

UKCharities

Federated Search Internal Testing

route.pathname community

US Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks Feature Audience

Supporter Comments Eligible Funds

International Only

fundId

braze fundraiser group 

Payment Identity Transfers ATO Risk Check (Targeted) - Production

Fundraiser Saved Payment Method Rate Limit Bypass (Production)

leaderboard-partner-id-audience-givepanel

Version 9.2.1 and above

AUD Donation Upsell audience

fundraiserCountryCode is US/EN

Active Fundraiser - Smart Default Cadence

DAF Internal

Vault on success card payment method

Platform is iOS v11.0.0 and above

Desktop users

Person ids

United States (US) users

allow yuno fundraisers for test

Mexico country code

Posters INTL

NPO Profile Opted-In

iOS at or above 12.4.0

non-US recurring donors

Canada Campaign Owner Group

Fundraiser Without Meta Link

Scheduler payment tester gorup

charityCommunityId

Charities allow to be claimed unclaimed (PRD)

Canada (CA) users

currencyCode

UC Tipping v20250115 International

pymk_production_xplr_fe_team

Android at or above 12.2.0

Profile photo entry point audience

smart goals (fundraiser/manage) on test01

Activity Tracking v1 Beta Testing

writePath

Stream Notification

start gfm intl allowed locales

Platform is iOS v11.2.0 and above

prod_ach_audience

AI Chatbot Audience

amp13 only new funds (prod) (anyword auto)

UC Flow Enabled (Prod)

Payment Identity Beneficiary Verification - Production

shared notification bell audience

Custom users

ach frontend audience

Android v11.0.0 and above

Users Receiving Payments Paused Notifications

smart goals test01

Manage Coach - US English Organizers Only + new funds only

Team EGG - IP Address list

Fundraiser Without Instagram Deep Link

Native 11.4.0 and above

UC Tipping v20250107

Users Receiving Braze KYC Validation Failed

Native 11.3.0 and above

Influencer - Prod

US fundraisers and US users

userEmail

template_id

userId

fundUrl

isCharityCo

email

appVersion

shouldBucketIntoExperiment

partnerId

donationCadence

isActiveFundraiser

isPartner

isMobile

npoProfileOptIn

fundIsLinkedWithMeta

hasSessionDonation

isCampaignOwner

fundHasInstagramDeepLink

Native 11.4.0 and higher

New funds eligible - Video Sharing (PROD)

GB Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks V3 Rollout Audience

Thank you V3 testing whitelist

isRecurringFriendly

Is Recurring Friendly

Excluded funds - Video Sharing

Logged In Users

CH Donation Upsell audience

Android v10.6.0 and above

userCurrencyCode

Localized Currency

v11.5.0 and above

testAudience

pathname

Survicate

appVersion is at or above 12.8.0

Non-charity fund

isChallengeFundraiser

challenge-fundraisers

Payment Identity Launch Verification - Production

New funds eligible - Posters v2

CAD Donation Upsell Audience

Braze Email Tester

NPO Profile Opted-Out

iOS App Version

hasKnownDonors

PYMK has donors

iOS v12.3.0 and above

Save Hebron Connecticut's Historic Synagogue

Still $273,938 to go. Help us build momentum.