Ahavat Achim was founded in 1977 by a group of nine dedicated families whose vision and goal were to increase their own level of observance and create a welcoming house of worship and congregation for the Jewish community. As the second orthodox synagogue established in Fair Lawn, Ahavat Achim has been instrumental in creating and enhancing a vibrant Jewish presence throughout the borough.
The founding families bought and refurbished a house of Saddle River Road that became the first physical and spiritual home for the nascent congregation. Within a decade, the building was no longer adequate for the growing membership. We acquired the adjoining property and built the current synagogue. Our sanctuary has room for 500 worshippers, and the social hall and classrooms are used every Shabbat for our lively youth program and weekly post-davening kiddushes.
Today our membership ranges from members of our founding families to young married couples just beginning families of their own. Our programs include extensive options for Torah and learning, chesed and tzedakah programs that link us with the wider Jewish community and enable us to sustain people in need, youth activities, family events and social programs that bring us together as family.