About Us

Welcome to Congregation Shaarei Tefila. We are one of the oldest and largest Shuls in the city of Los Angeles. 

We were originally founded as Western Jewish Institute in the city of Boyle Heights. From our Inception, Shaarei Tefila has always been a warm Shul and community center. Jews have always come together here to pray to G-d, study His Torah, support the land and the people of Israel and support one another. 

In the 1950's under the direction of  Rabbi W. Spiegelman our current Main Sanctuary was designed and built. It remains one of the most beautiful Shuls in the world. 

After the holocaust many survivors made Shaarei Tefila their Synagogue of choice. Here they came together to mourn their losses and build a brighter future for themselves and the Jewish community. Filled with a sense of optimism they built a thriving Jewish Los Angeles community. From within the walls of Shaarei Tefila came the inspiration and resources for much of the Jewish Renaissance  in Southern California. 

Over the years we have merited to host some of the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Prime Ministers, Presidents and Senate Members of the Israeli Government, as well as many Jewish celebrities and famous actors. 

We invite you to join our community and we encourage you to make use of our shul services. We have daily Minyamin for Shacharit, Mincha and Maariv. We have special services for Shabbat and all the Jewish Holidays. Please bring your children of all ages to our Shabbat and Yom Tov children's program. 

Please join us for Torah study in our remodeled Beit Midrash. We have an extensive library and regular Torah classes. Please partner with us as we build an even brighter future for Shaarei Tefila. 

We looking forward to giving you a warm Shaarei Tefila welcome. 

Our Motto is: Torah, Tradition, Community and Israel. 

Feel free to reach out to us at 323-938-7147 or info@shaareitefila.com and we will do our best to accommodate.