Founded in spring/April of 1968 by rebbeShlomo Carlebach, the congregation had a short existence, lasting just ten years. Despite its Hasidic origins, the rituals of worship were inspired by the American counterculture movement, and attracted young, non-affiliated Jews.[1][2][3] The congregation eventually disbanded, and some of the congregants relocated to Israel,[4] founding Moshav Mevo Modi'im in 1975.
History
Carlebach, a rabbi and singer-songwriter founded a synagogue inspired by the counterculture of the 1960s. Carlebach called his congregants "holy hippielech" ("holy hippies"). Many of Carlebach's followers soon began practicing Judaism according to the Orthodox tradition.[4]
A second house, located at 1456 9th Avenue, in the Sunset district, was acquired during the early 1970s and served as a yeshiva for the congregation. This was after the first House, which was a commune and synagogue on Arguello Blvd., was closed on Dec. 4,1970.[2][3]
Carlebach's synagogue inspired the creation of a musical presented by the National Yiddish Theatre titled "The House of Love and Prayer". Carlebach's daughter, Neshama Carlebach was among the production's collaborators.[5]
^ abReichman, Lynn (2024). Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach's FIRST House of Love and Prayer. An Arthur Kurzweil Book. pp. 3, 6. ISBN978-965-7646-43-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
Coopersmith, Aryae (2011). Holy Beggars: A Journey from Haight Street to Jerusalem. El Granada: One World Lights.
Carlsson, Chris, ed. (2011). Ten Years That Shook the City: San Francisco 1968-78. San Francisco: City Lights Foundation.
Dollinger, Marc (2003). "The Counterculture". In Kahn Ava F.; Dollinger, Marc (eds.). California Jews. Lebanon: Brandeis University Press. pp. 154–166.
Hahn Tapper, Aaron J. (2016). Judaisms: A Twenty-First-Century Introduction to Jews and Jewish Identities. Oakland, CA: University of California Press. pp. 158–159, 160–167.
Heilman, Samuel; Friedman, Menachem (2010). The Rebbe: The Life and Afterlife of Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. pp. 168–69.