Torath Chaim Congregation

Torath Chaim Congregation was a Jewish congregation in East Liberty. The congregation was founded in 1927 and closed in 2004 and operated for most of that time out of a synagogue at 728 N. Negley Ave.

The congregation was founded by Rabbi Jacob J. Hurvitz, who had immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1911 and settled in Massachusetts before joining family members in Pittsburgh. Rabbi Yisroel “Irving” Grumer joined the congregation in September 1960. He graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in education and psychology and was ordained at Mesifta Torah Vodaath. He served in several communities before coming to Pittsburgh, most notably Detroit and Scranton. He remained with Torath Chaim until at least 1972. Cantor Samuel Joffe was active in Pittsburgh from the late 1940s through at least the 1960s. Before joining Torath Chaim around 1960, he served at Ohave Zedeck in Oakland.