In 1890, fifteen Jewish families organized for services on the High Holidays in Newport News, VA. They met above a store owned by Louis and Charles Nachman in the 2100 block of Jefferson Avenue. This group met again in 1891 and again in 1892. In 1893 the congregation was growing so they moved to the Casino building near 25th street and River Road.
This was the beginning of a congregation that over 120 years later is still gathering to pray and growing once again. Since 1893 Adath Jeshurun has congregated at many locations, but one thing has remained true – a dedication to Torah and an unwavering commitment to traditional Jewish ideals. The esteemed leaders of AJ, Rabbis Mirmelstein, Goldberg, Dershowitz, Kolatch, Adelman, Bulman, Horowitz, Fishaut, Weil, Gurkov, Weinbach, Rosenzweig, Wolicki, Davidovich, and now Litt have each brought their unique styles and wisdom to our shul. Adath Jeshurun is now located on the UJCVP campus in Newport News.
Adath Jeshurun was established with the ideals and principles of traditional, Torah Judaism. It is with these principles that we will continue to grow and move forward.
Traditional, however, does not mean boring. It is our mission to offer exciting and stimulating services, classes, and programs for the Newport News Jewish community and those visiting our congregation.
Adath Jeshurun is for all Jews. It makes no difference what your level of observance is or how much you know about Judaism. AJ is an open, non-judgmental environment where Jews of all types can gather, pray, learn, and grow together.
Adath Jeshurun offers Shabbos and holiday meals, Shabbos hospitality, as well as any other religious needs that you may have. Please contact us today for more information.
Rabbi Gershon Litt grew up in Houston, TX. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1997 where he received his BS in Speech Communication. Rabbi Litt then attended yeshivahs, rabbinical seminaries, in Israel and New York and was ordained in 2001. Rabbi Litt received his master’s degree from George Washington University in Israel studies.
Rabbi Litt has been the rabbi at Adath Jeshurun Synagogue since 2014. Rabbi Litt also works with the Department of Defense as a civilian contractor offering Jewish chaplaincy services to Jewish service personnel. Rabbi Litt does extensive work at various college campuses and is the director of Hillel at William & Mary.
Rabbi Litt says his most important job is being husband to a wonderful wife, Sara, and father to five boys, Yitzi, Aryeh, Yosef, Yehudah, and Dovid.
