Chevra T’helim, Portsmouth, VA

Chevra T’helim Portsmouth, VA | Before

Chevra T’helim Synagogue was the vision of four Portsmouth families. Constructed c1918, it was the center of the Orthodox community in Portsmouth for decades. By the mid-1980s, the congregation had dwindled and the building was left vacant. After years of neglect, the Friends of Chevra T’helim purchased the building and completely rehabilitated it for use as a Jewish Museum and Cultural Center.

Chevra T’helim Portsmouth, VA | After

In order to offset the costs of the rehabilitation, the Friends group contracted with CPG to assist with obtaining historic tax credits. CPG worked with Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas & Co., the project architects, to ensure that building code and ADA requirements were met in a manner which did not detract from the historic building. The building remains an active part of Old Town Portsmouth and is open regularly for tours, lectures and musical events.