Sunday, October 27, 2013

Blue Synagogue

This small synagogue belonging to the First Narayever Congregation is located in a residential neighbourhood near the Annex in downtown Toronto. It is unique in that it is traditional-egalitatarian where both genders are treated equally and all sit together and worship together. The building was first constructed in 1890 as a Foresters' lodge and then became a church until becoming a synagogue in 1943. 
Taking part in Inspired Sunday. Click here for more religious buildings. 
The November 1 theme for City Daily Photo bloggers is "Heights."

22 comments:

Birdman said...

Don't get me talkin' about those that paint brick. Ugh!

LĂșcia said...

A building with lots of stories to tell us about. ;-)

Jackie McGuinness said...

I agree, if these walls could talk...

Anonymous said...

I love this synagogue- something real about the building, and I like the blue!

Anonymous said...

I love this synagogue- something real about the building, and I like the blue!

Sharon said...

So it has somewhat of a spiritual history.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

never would have guessed it was a church?!! ( ;

Betsy said...

Unique. Looks more like a lodge though.
betsy

William Kendall said...

A lot of history in those walls!

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Now that is blue, could not miss that place.

Faye said...

That's interesting about the non-segregated worship. Do you know if that was the case since the 1940s? If so, makes it even more unusual. And that blue is my idea of the blue of Israel--guess that was their thought as well!

My post is up too if you want to go to Moscow. Mr. Linky was not cooperating. Summit Musings

Jack said...

It is an unusual little building.

Randy said...

That an amazing color choice.

Lowell said...

Don't much like the blue color but this is a fascinating congregation. They are essentially "orthodox" but not entirely for women are treated as equals in all respects. They are also unaffiliated with any broader Jewish organization such as Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, etc. Most interesting!

Anonymous said...

Good to hear that all join together and worship.

cieldequimper said...

The colour is lovely but bricks are nice too...

EG CameraGirl said...

If these bricks are made of soft clay (as many Toronto-area buildings in the 1890s were), it was likely painted to preserve the bricks. I bet this blue is very similar to the blue in the Israeli flag.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Wonder if the equality of seating arrangements was in practice back in 1890 Pat..would be wonderful to think so.

VP said...

An amazing building, so different from anything alike I have ever seen!

genie said...

A blue synagogue. That has to be a first. I found the history to be so interesting, Thanks for sharing, genie

Sally in WA said...

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing it in InSPIREd Sunday.

Laura. M said...

Good building.