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The Vilna Shul was built in 1919 by Jews f … The Vilna Shul was built in 1919 by Jews from Vilnius, Lithuania, and is the last of over 50 places of worship that flourished in Boston during the era of great Jewish immigration. The building is modeled after Europe's oldest synagogues. Three layers of original wall art discovered under layers of sanctuary paint evoke centuries-old Eastern European carved and painted synagogue interiors. The Vilna Center for Jewish Heritage Inc. has rescued the building and is currently raising funds to restore it as Boston's Jewish museum and cultural center. The Vilna Shul was declared an American Treasure in 1999 by Save America's Treasures, a partnership of the White House Millennium Council and The National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Vilna Center is open with trained docents in attendance on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 to 3:00 from mid-April through mid-November. Tour groups can arrange visits at other times by calling (617) 523-2324 and leaving a message.ling (617) 523-2324 and leaving a message. +
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