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A Millennial rabbi built a synagogue where others have closed. Her maverick ideas are becoming a model.

JL;DR SUMMARY Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter has rejuvenated Jewish life in South Philadelphia with her innovative South Philadelphia Shtiebel, an unconventional Orthodox synagogue. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Orthodox JudaismLgbtq+ InclusionMusicSouth Philadelphia ShtiebelYeshivat MaharatCommunity BuildingJewish RenewalUrban JudaismRabbanit Dasi FruchterNonbinary Congregants

Places mentioned

South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
"SOUTH PHILADELPHIA On a typical Shabbat, around 175 people pack into a synagogue that defies every conventional rule of American Jewish life."
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
"Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, the granddaughter of a rabbi who served pulpits across the country."
New York City, New York, United States
"Lisa Levy, 66, a three-time cancer survivor, moved to Philadelphia after decades in New York City."
Bronx, New York, United States
"She was ordained at Yeshivat Maharat, the Modern Orthodox seminary in the Bronx, and also holds a dual masters degree from New York University in Jewish Studies and nonprofit management."
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
"Rabbanit Leah Sarna, the spiritual leader of Kehillat Shaarei Orah in the Philadelphia suburbs, credits the Shtiebel with shifting expectations."
Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States
"Chaim Saiman, a law professor at Villanova University in Philadelphia and a thought leader in the Modern Orthodox movement, believes congregations like the Shtiebel should also be seen as competing with Conservative shuls for a slice of the membership who may be looking for something more traditional."

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Retrieved 2026-01-29 05:30:54 UTC
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