Ahavath Sholom

German Jews immigrated to the U.S. in greater numbers starting in the 1850s. In the 1860s, Ligonier's Jewish residents formed the congregation Ahavath Sholom, Hebrew for peace loving, and about 1867 built a small synagogue nearby. The congregation formed close relationships with local churches, and the Jewish community prospered, providing civic and business leaders. In 1889, the congregation dedicated a new synagogue here, where Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, founder of American Reform Judaism, spoke on religious tolerance at the dedication, a celebration that included people from other cities and states. The Jewish population peaked around 1900, then declined as younger residents moved to larger cities for educational and economic opportunities.

Ligonier, Indiana · United States