Prologue

THE LOST SYNAGOGUES OF DETROIT

They are beautiful. They are poignant. In their totality the former synagogues of Detroit outline once closely knit neighborhoods from the days when Detroit was a conglomerate of vibrant immigrant and ethnic communities, of a time when families walked to places of worship which stood in the midst of their neighborhoods.

Standing alone amid tall grasses and wild flowers of the urban wilderness, it is difficult to believe the former Shaarey Torah Synagogue on Brush was once squeezed in to a densely built and populated neighborhood.

In my wanderings through the near west side of Detroit I noticed, over time, a large number of finely-appointed synagogues that are now, for the most part, thriving Afro American Christian churches.

My first attraction was to the buildings which, for the most part, are both beautiful and poignant. They outlined a story of days where Detroit was a conglomerate of closely knit communities.

Today only Hamtramck vaguely continues in that mode, the days of foot traffic and local shops, times when folks walked to their place of worship which stood in the midst of their neighborhoods. The synagogues' grandness also manifest the silent triumph of a community which, at the time they rose, was still highly discriminated against. The story is dynamic on several levels.

Come with me as I explore this intriguing facet of Detroit history and help me in getting the facts straight. Do you have facts or stories about any of these synagogues or churches? I want to hear them. Join the others who are contributing their memories and knowledge in this self-writing tour.

On each page you will see the following invitation:

We welcome and invite you to share your memories of Detroit's former synagogues and Jewish sites.
Email your memories to us » and we will add them to the site. *PLEASE* be sure to cite the name of the synagogue or site.

Your memories will be greatly appreciated and credited.