Central Synagogue (Manhattan)

Coordinates: 40°45′35″N 73°58′14″W / 40.759592°N 73.970473°W / 40.759592; -73.970473
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

For similarly named synagogues, see Central Synagogue.
Central Synagogue
New York City Landmark
 No. 0276
Map
NRHP reference No.70000423
NYSRHP No.06101.000429
NYCL No.0276
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 9, 1970[3]
Designated NHLMay 15, 1975[4]
Designated NYSRHPJune 23, 1980[1]
Designated NYCLJuly 7, 1966[2]
[5][6]

The Central Synagogue (formally Congregation Ahavath Chesed Shaar Hashomayim;

oldest existing synagogue buildings in the United States.[11]

The building was designated a

New York City landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1966,[2] was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970,[3] and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975.[4][9][12]

History

The Ahawath Chesed congregation was founded in 1846 on Ludlow Street in Manhattan by German-speaking Jews from Bohemia. It merged in 1898 with Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, which was founded by German Jews in 1839 on Albany Street.[2][5][13] The combined congregation bought the lot at Lexington Avenue and East 55th Street and engaged Henry Fernbach, the country's first prominent Jewish architect, to design it.[6]

The dramatic style of the building was the subject of much debate during the construction. Some felt its excess would inspire envy and stand in the way of assimilation.[14] Construction was completed in 1872.[15]

After a fire in 1886, the building was restored by Ely Jacques Kahn.[6]

The building was restored in the original style after an accidental fire in August 1998,

Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer.[5] Hardy restored some details to the interior that Ely Jacques Kahn had removed during the earlier restoration in 1886. The recent restoration was completed on September 9, 2001.[6]

In March 2019, the mosque of the nearby Islamic Society of Mid-Manhattan was damaged by a fire in an adjoining restaurant. A rabbi of the synagogue invited the congregation of the mosque to hold services in the synagogue until its structure could be repaired.[17]

Architecture

Although the brownstone exterior is "the finest extant example of the Moorish Revival style in New York City", the plan of the interior is

stained-glass windows framed by Moorish arches.[2][5] The interior is "stenciled with rich blues, earthy reds, ocher, and gilt – Moorish, but distinctly 19th century American."[6]

Services

Sensitive to the evolving interests and needs of the Reform Judaism community, Central Synagogue explores both traditional and alternative modes of prayer. In addition to daily morning minyan, Shabbat, holiday services, and celebrations of lifecycle events, the synagogue offers "Tot Shabbat" for children, and healing and community services. They have introduced Mishkan services on Saturday morning, which offer intimate, participatory Shabbat morning services.

Notable clergy

Angela Warnick Buchdahl
  • Angela Warnick Buchdahl
    (born 1972), senior cantor from 2011 to 2014, senior rabbi since 2014
  • Isaac S. Moses, rabbi (1901–1917)
  • Sheldon Zimmerman (born 1942), senior rabbi (1972–1985)

Notable members

Source:[13]

Gallery

  • The entrance to the synagogue (2012)
    The entrance to the synagogue (2012)
  • Front stained glass and organ pipes (2019)
    Front stained glass and organ pipes (2019)
  • Moorish Revival detail, south tower of the Central Synagogue (2011)
    Moorish Revival detail, south tower of the Central Synagogue (2011)
  • Interior (2010)
    Interior (2010)
  • A detail of the interior (2010)
    A detail of the interior (2010)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. November 7, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Staff (July 7, 1966) "Central Synagogue Designation Report" New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
  3. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Central Synagogue". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. September 10, 2007. Archived from the original on July 14, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-0-470-28963-1
    .
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-0-19538-386-7
    .
  7. ISBN 978-1-86470-074-9
    .
  8. ISBN 0-231-12543-7
    .
  9. ^ a b Pitts, Carolyn (February 2, 1975). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Central Synagogue" (pdf). National Park Service.
  10. ISBN 978-1579127862
    .
  11. ^ Gordon, Mark W. (March 1996) "Rediscovering Jewish Infrastructure: Update on United States Nineteenth Century Synagogues" American Jewish History 84.1 pp.11–27. 2019 article update.
  12. ^ Accompanying 5 photos, exterior and interior, from 1973 and undated (1.53 MB)
  13. ^
    ISBN 0-231-12543-7
    ., p.40
  14. ISBN 978-0810944411
    .
  15. ISBN 978-1864700749
    .
  16. ISBN 978-1579122379
    .
  17. ^ Brewis, Harriet (March 28, 2019). "Muslims invited to worship in synagogue after fire damages mosque". Evening Standard. London.
  18. ^ "Central Synagogue". www.centralsynagogue.org. Archived from the original on June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  19. ^ "Obituary: STEPHEN SUSMAN". The New York Times. July 17, 2020 – via Legacy.

Sources

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Central Synagogue.
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