Central Synagogue

Central Synagogue

Looking west across Lexington Avenue and 55th at the Central Synagogue. (January 2010)
Basic information
Location 646-652 Lexington Avenue,
Manhattan, New York City,
 United States[1]
Geographic coordinates 40°45′35″N 73°58′14″W / 40.759592°N 73.970473°WCoordinates: 40°45′35″N 73°58′14″W / 40.759592°N 73.970473°W
Affiliation Reform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Synagogue
Status Active
Website centralsynagogue.org
Architectural description
Architect(s) Henry Fernbach[2]
Architectural type Neo Gothic
Architectural style Moorish Revival
Direction of façade ESE
Groundbreaking 1872
Completed 1873
Specifications
Length 40 meters (130 ft)
Width 25 meters (82 ft)
Width (nave) 14 meters (46 ft)
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Added to NRHP October 9, 1970 [3]
NRHP Reference no. 70000423 [3]
Designated as NHL May 15, 1975[4]

The Central Synagogue (Congregation Ahavath Chesed) is located at 652 Lexington Avenue on the corner of E 55th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York. Built in 1872 in the Moorish Revival style as a copy of Budapest's Dohány Street Synagogue,[5] it pays homage to the Jewish existence in Moorish Spain.[1] It has been in continuous use by a congregation longer than any other in the city.[6][7] The building was designed by Henry Fernbach.

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.[8]

It is among the oldest synagogue buildings still standing in the United States.[9] It was designated a National Historic Landmark on May 15, 1975.[4][6] On Wednesdays at 12:45 p.m. a docent conducts a free tour, which begins at the front entrance.

The building was restored by 2001 in the original style after an accidental fire in August 1998.[10] The roof and its supports were destroyed as a result of the fire. During this fire, the firefighter's sensitivity for the building saved all but the central pane in the rose window that dominates the eastern (Lexington Avenue) wall. The marble plaques on the north wall of the foyer honor the firefighters of the 8th Battalion of the New York City Fire Department.

The synagogue owns the Salem Fields Cemetery, Brooklyn.

Services

Sensitive to the evolving interests and needs of the Reform community, Central Synagogue explores both traditional and alternative modes of prayer. In addition to daily morning minyan, Shabbat and holiday services, and celebrations of lifecycle events, Central Synagogue offers havurot (Jewish study groups), Tot Shabbat and Tyke Shabbat for children, and healing and community services. Interfaith celebrations include an annual community Thanksgiving and Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). Other special services include the annual Shofar Award Shabbat, which honors a Jew of distinction and inspiration. Past recipients include journalist David Halberstam and James Ingo Freed, architect of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Notable Clergy

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dolkart, Andrew S. & Postal, Matthew A.; Guide to New York City Landmarks, 3rd Edition; New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004. ISBN 0-471-36900-4; p.122.
  2. ↑ White, Norval & Willensky, Elliot; AIA Guide to New York City, 4th Edition; New York Chapter, American Institute of Architects; Crown Publishers/Random House. 2000. ISBN 0-8129-3106-8 (hc); ISBN 0-8129-3107-6 (pb). p.282.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Central Synagogue". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. 2007-09-10.
  5. ↑ Krinsky, Carol (1996). Synagogues of Europe. New York: Dover Publications. p. 108. ISBN 0-486-29078-6.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Carolyn Pitts (February 2, 1975). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Central Synagogue" (PDF). National Park Service. and Accompanying 5 photos, exterior and interior, from 1973 and undated PDF (1.53 MB)
  7. ↑ Alejandro Bahamón and Àgata Losantos, New York: A Historical Atlas of Architecture (New York: Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers, Inc., 2007), p.99.
  8. ↑ Gray, Christopher; New York Streetscapes, 1st Edition; Harry N. Abrahams, Inc. 2003. ISBN 0-8109-4441-3; p.188.
  9. ↑ Rediscovering Jewish Infrastructure: Update on United States Nineteenth Century Synagogues, Mark W. Gordon, American Jewish History 84.1 (1996) 11-27
  10. ↑ Harris, Bill; One Thousand New York Buildings, 1st Edition; Black Dog and Leventhal. 2002. ISBN 1-57912-443-7; p.272.

References

External links

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