Vilna Shul
18 Philips St., Boston, MA, 02114
Built in 1919, Vilna Shul served as an Orthodox synagogue for Jews who immigrated to Boston from Lithuania. Now used as an inclusive community center, Vilna Shul, Boston's Center for Jewish Culture, is widely recognized as the city’s most iconic Jewish landmark, as it is one of the only remaining synagogues in the city’s downtown that immigrants built.
The basics
Guided tours of Vilna Shul and the surrounding neighborhood of Beacon Hill are offered through the center. Visitors can also get a deeper understanding of Boston’s Jewish roots as part of a historical and cultural tour that makes stops at vital religious landmarks like the New England Holocaust Memorial, as well as Vilna Shul. You can also experience the synagogue building by attending one of the many events held there throughout the year.
Things to know before you go
There’s an ADA-compliant lift to the sanctuary.
Vilna Shul has undergone an extensive restoration that includes repairing the stained-glass windows, skylights, and roof, as well as the preservation of Jewish folk murals.
Shul is the Yiddish word for synagogue.
How to get there
Vilna Shul is located at 18 Philips Street in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood and is easily accessible by public transportation. It’s a 4-minute walk from the MBTA Red Line Charles/MGH stop and a 7-minute walk from the Blue Line Bowdoin stop. Validated parking is offered at the Charles River Plaza parking lot.
When to get there
Vilna Shul hosts programming, concerts, and events throughout the year, particularly around the Jewish holidays such as Hanukkah. Check the events calendar on the website for the most up-to-date info. Walking tours of the synagogue building and Beacon Hill are offered one Sunday a month in partnership with Boston by Foot.
The New England Holocaust Memorial
Built to pay tribute to those killed and to honor the survivors, the New England Holocaust Memorial is located along the Freedom Trail near Faneuil Hall. Visitors can scan the QR codes throughout the memorial to take a self-guided tour featuring photos, videos, and narration about historical context and local survivor stories.
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