Have you ever noticed these unassuming stone structures? These are The Pillars. They might seem purely decorative now, but their history is surprisingly intertwined with the development of this very neighborhood. Originally, these pillars weren’t pillars at all. They were built as elegant stucco light stands, each topped with a globe-shaped fixture illuminating the streets. Picture it: the soft glow of gaslight on a quiet evening in the early 1900s. However, as the neighborhood evolved, so did The Pillars. In 1923, they underwent a transformation, reimagined as the sturdy stone planters you see today. This change wasn’t random. It was inspired by a house on the corner of Avers and Avondale, a house boasting a charming rubble stone front porch and chimney. The residents, taken with this unique architectural feature, decided to echo it in their neighborhood. Today, The Pillars stand as a testament to the ever-changing landscape of a city, a quiet reminder of the past that seamlessly blends with the present.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one