Community Honors Legacy of Shuttered Synagogues

On Friday, November 21, 2025, Congregation Ahavat Olam will host L’dor V’dor: From Generation to Generation — A Legacy in Motion, a special evening celebrating the preservation and installation of sacred ritual artifacts from Congregation Ansha Sholum and Temple Emanu-El of Haverhill.

When both historic congregations closed their doors after more than a century of service, their leaders sought a way to ensure that the spiritual legacy of their communities would endure. With great care and collaboration, sacred items—some over 100 years old—have been entrusted to Congregation Ahavat Olam, where they will continue to inspire worship and connection for generations to come.

These artifacts represent the resilience of Jewish faith and prayer across a century in the Merrimack Valley. Congregants in Lawrence and Haverhill prayed before them during the Great Depression and World Wars, through the Shoah (Holocaust), the founding of the modern State of Israel, and even the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks. Each piece bears witness to perseverance and continuity — reminders that faith endures through every era.

“These artifacts embody the devotion, perseverance, and faith of our region’s Jewish community,” said Rabbi Idan Irelander, spiritual leader and Founding Rabbi of Congregation Ahavat Olam. “They carry the prayers of those who came before us and remind us that our past is not gone — it lives within us.”

Among the items preserved are a Holy Ark (Aron Kodesh), Torahs, memorial plaques, and tallit racks — all now lovingly integrated throughout Congregation Ahavat Olam’s sanctuary and communal spaces. The Aron Kodesh, originally built in Lawrence and composed of more than 200 handcrafted pieces, was carefully dismantled and reassembled by volunteer craftsmen and carpenters.

The installation and dedication will take place as part of the L’dor V’dor: Legacy in Motion event at Congregation Ahavat Olam, beginning at 6:15 PM. The evening will include a presentation, remarks from Rabbi Irelander and community leaders, music by Tutti and Ron Druyan, and the dedication of new names on the congregation’s Yahrzeit Wall.

Members of the North Andover Police Department will be on-site to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all guests. The public is invited to attend; preregistration is required.

For details and registration, visit ahavatolam4all.org.

About Congregation Ahavat Olam

Congregation Ahavat Olam is a welcoming non-affiliated Jewish community in North Andover, MA, dedicated to celebrating Jewish life through worship, learning, music, and community engagement. Its mission is to honor Jewish tradition while creating meaningful connections for people of all backgrounds and generations.