Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah

Could a synagogue be born from a party room? Here at Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah (WSAT) in Silver Spring, Maryland, the answer is a resounding yes. Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah has been a cornerstone of the Washington area’s Jewish community for over 50 years. Its story begins not with solemn prayers, but with the echoes of sweet-sixteen parties. In the early 1960s, young Orthodox Jewish professionals flocked to the Washington D.C. area for government jobs. Many settled in the Summit Hill apartments. Walking to established synagogues miles away proved challenging, especially with growing families. In 1963, fifteen families approached Summit Hill’s management with a proposal. Could the complex’s unused party room, closed down due to noise complaints, be transformed into a synagogue? The answer was yes, for the price of one dollar a year. Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah’s earliest members, including some who are still part of the community today, rolled up their sleeves. They painted, built a mechitza, even sewed the curtains. The Summit Hill Shul was born. Word spread, and the congregation grew rapidly. Everything was volunteer-run. Members led services, taught classes, and welcomed newcomers. Annual traditions like the Simchat Torah Kiddush and the now-legendary Purim Shpiel began. Dues were a mere $25 a year. The kiddush evolved from simple coffee and cake to more elaborate spreads. As the Vietnam War brought more professionals to the area, the shul’s membership reached 150 families. The community thrived. They established a nursery school, helped open a Yeshiva High School, and played a key role in relocating the mikvah to Silver Spring. By 1970, families were outgrowing their apartments and moving to nearby Woodside. The Landesmans, living in Woodside, opened their basement for auxiliary services. In 1974, the congregation purchased a house on Highland Drive. This proved temporary. The growing community soon needed a larger space. They found it in a Civil War-era farmhouse on Georgia Avenue: Alton Farm, the current site of Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah. In 1982, an eruv was completed, making the shul more accessible. An expansion was soon needed, but tragedy struck first. An arsonist set the building ablaze. Sifrei Torah were rescued, but many books were lost. The community rallied, offering support and resources. While temporarily housed in other locations, the congregation decided it was time for a rabbi. Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz arrived in 1988, ushering in an era of enhanced Torah study. After 22 years, he made Aliyah. Rabbi Moshe Walter joined in 2012, leading the community with dynamic energy. Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah has evolved from a party room to a vibrant hub. Yet, its core values remain: Torah learning, community, charity, and active Jewish life.