Obj. ID: 31595
Jewish Architecture  Synagogue Adat Ischurum (Shil da Vila) in San Paulo, Brazil

The following information about the Synagogue Adat Ischurum (Shil da Vila) was researched by Myriam Rosenblit Szwarbart.

Initially located on Itaboca Street, the synagogue occupied a small space for several years: men prayed in a room, and shared the place as "a family." The first Sefer Torah was purchased in the 1920s, brought by the Zaborowski family, and it's still in the synagogue today. In the 1930s, with the growth of the community, they moved to Prates Street, near Ribeiro de Lima Street, in a larger building. In this property, the male sector started to occupy 2 rooms, with the windows facing a courtyard, and there is also a space for women. The house had a basement, which housed the wine barrels for Passover, and a corner for the hering. This property belonged to a couple, whose lady was Jewish. It was rented on the condition of the synagogue  pay only water, electricity and taxes, these expenses quoted among the goers. With the passing of the Jewish lady, the house was taken over by the owner. In this way, they had to seek a new space. They settled in the then "Vila Anibal", in a house belonging to gentleman of the Jewish community. In this, the men occupied the room and a bedroom, the women occupied the other bedroom, there was also a kitchen ... In the 1960s they raised enough to acquire this property. They bought the property, but ... with the death of the former owner, the house was requested ... The issue was resolved in favor of the synagogue, with the presence of the Munkatcher Rebe, who already had a place in "Shil da Vila". Only in this period were developed the "Statutes of the Synagogue". After a while, the house they occupied was renovated. In this first reform, the mezzanine was made, and a new kitchen. In the 1990s they bought the house next door, for the expansion of the synagogue. This second reform was possible with the help of mr. Samuel Klein. During the reform period, the synagogue was temporarily installed in a vacant pizzeria on Rua Prates ...

Current state:  The “Shil da Vila”, or Synagogue Adat Ischurum is still active today. The construction of the current building had architectural design and execution of the architect Eloy Fichberg, acoustic project of Szaja Akerman and decoration of Eva Kracochansky. The building was built on the place of two houses, one of which was occupied by the synagogue, and the other was acquired from the neighbor. It was designed to accommodate 300 people in accordance with the legislation, escape routes, accessibility with ramps. The solution adopted for the illumination of the inner space, with glass bricks on the facade, allows the entrance of the sunlight through these. It was also adopted “zenithal illumination”, through a dome, nowadays without use for this purpose. Concerning the foundation, there was concern with the neighboring buildings, considering that all the houses were twinned, adopting the use of stakes after the realization of each floor. As for the acoustics, it is possible to hear and follow the prayer from any point the interior of the synagogue, including the women's sector.

The entrance is made through a small corridor leading to the male section. And as we see in other synagogues of the city, the wooden benches lined up, they turn to Bimah, ahead and Aron Hakodesh, with their Torót and a blue Paróchet. Above, the Ner Tamid and the Luchót Habrit. On this same floor, tables in the background, to the Kiddush and studies, and a small kitchen. The first floor is intended for the female sector and, on one floor above, there is a hall, nowadays destined for a sale of Jewish books and objects. Even today, some plaques are affixed to the wall near the entrance to the Village Shil. This synagogue has no ties to any major religious entity - it is totally independent.