Central Synagogue (Manhattan)
Reform synagogue in Manhattan, New York / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Central Synagogue (formerly Congregation Ahawath Chesed Shaar Hashomayim; colloquially Central) is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue at 652 Lexington Avenue, at the corner of 55th Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. The current congregation was formed in 1898 through the merger of two 19th-century synagogues: Shaar Hashomayim and Ahawath Chesed. The synagogue building was constructed from 1870 to 1872 for Ahawath Chesed. As of 2014[update], Angela Buchdahl is Central's senior rabbi.
Central Synagogue | |
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Religion | |
Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
Leadership | Clergy:
|
Status | Active |
Location | |
Location | 646–652 Lexington Avenue |
Municipality | Midtown Manhattan, New York City |
State | New York |
Country | United States |
Location in Manhattan, New York City | |
Geographic coordinates | 40°45′35″N 73°58′14″W |
Architecture | |
Architect(s) | Henry Fernbach |
Type | Synagogue |
Style | Moorish Revival |
Date established |
|
Groundbreaking | December 14, 1870 |
Completed | April 19, 1872 |
Specifications | |
Direction of façade | East (main facade) |
Capacity | 1,400 |
Length | 140 ft (43 m) |
Width | 93 ft (28 m) |
Height (max) | 112 ft (34 m) |
Materials | Brownstone, light stone |
Website | |
centralsynagogue | |
Central Synagogue | |
NRHP reference No. | 70000423 |
NYSRHP No. | 06101.000429 |
NYCL No. | 0276 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | October 9, 1970[1] |
Designated NHL | May 15, 1975[2] |
Designated NYSRHP | June 23, 1980[3] |
Designated NYCL | July 7, 1966[4] |
[5][6] |
Shaar Hashomayim was founded in 1839 by German Jews, while Ahawath Chesed was founded in 1846 by Bohemian Jews. Both congregations originally occupied several sites on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Central was constructed as the fifth building of Ahawath Chesed, whose members had moved northward during the late 19th century. Though the congregations originally held services in German, they had become largely Anglophone by the time of their merger. Ahawath Chesed Shaar Hashomayim became known as Central by 1918 and briefly merged with the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in the 1920s. The building has been renovated several times over the years, including in the 1880s and 1940s; it was extensively rebuilt from 1998 to 2001 following a fire.
The building, designed by Henry Fernbach in the Moorish Revival style, is a New York City designated landmark and a National Historic Landmark. The facade is made of brownstone with light-stone trim and includes stained glass windows and a geometric rose window; it is topped by octagonal towers. A vestibule leads to the synagogue's sanctuary, a two-level space arranged in a similar manner to a Gothic church, and there are various rooms in the basement. Central Synagogue has hosted various activities and programs over the years, and it contains a collection of Jewish artifacts. There is a community house across 55th Street, which contains the synagogue's religious school and numerous groups.