[1] As the population of Jews from Eastern Europe increased in Philadelphia between 1881 and 1924, the Jewish community extended from Society Hill south to Oregon Avenue.

His wife, Baila Karafin, helped to start the Ladies Auxiliary during the 1930s' Great Depression in support of community members in need.

[2] South Philadelphia's urban Jewish community contracted in the years following World War II when many families moved to the suburbs and exurbs.

In 1961, Shivtei Yeshuron combined with Mishkan Israel and Raim Ahuvim (Anshe Kalker, who held Nusach Sefard).

The congregation's building was built between 1886 and 1895 as a retail storefront with living quarters on the second and third floors, and a horse stable at its rear-facing Moyamensing Avenue.

Many members were skilled craftsmen, trained as tinworkers, carpenters and electricians, and they did extensive renovations when the congregation moved to the building.

[8] The synagogue leadership, with critical support from local architect and historian Joel Spivak, raised funds and began to repair the building.

The synagogue hosted an interactive machine knitting laboratory, and served as a concert space for “Radical Jewish Music: A Concert Series” featuring Masada Book Two – The Book of Angels, by composer John Zorn, screened the film Punk Jews; and presented a Sunday morning speaker series.

[13] Former-Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell cited a speaking commitment at the synagogue on June 1, 2014 that prevented him from being a passenger on a private Gulfstream IV business jet that had crashed the previous night, killing all on board.