Temple Emanu-El of New York (1930)

This article is about the synagogue building. For the congregation that worships in the synagogue, see Congregation Emanu-El of New York.
Temple Emanu-El
Synagogue façade on the Upper East Side
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
OwnershipCongregation Emanu-El of New York
StatusActive
Notable artworksMosaics by Hildreth Meière
Location
Location1 East 65th Street
MunicipalityManhattan
StateNew York
CountryUnited States
Temple Emanu-El of New York (1930) is located in New York City
Temple Emanu-El of New York (1930)
Location in New York City
Geographic coordinates40°45′14″N 73°58′48″W / 40.754°N 73.980°W / 40.754; -73.980
Architecture
Architect(s)
TypeSynagogue
Style
Date established1845 (as a congregation)
Completed1930
Capacity2,500 worshippers
Website
emanuelnyc.org

Temple Emanu-El of New York is a synagogue at 1 East 65th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, at the northeast corner with Fifth Avenue, in New York City, New York, United States. It was built in 1928–1930 for the Reform Jewish Congregation Emanu-El of New York. With capacity for 2,500 seated worshippers, it is one of the largest synagogues in the world.

Early years

Main articles: 1847 synagogue, 1854 synagogue, and 1868 synagogue

Temple Emanu-El began on April 6, 1845. Initially meeting on the second floor of a building at Grand and Clinton Streets, in 1854 the congregation acquired the 12th Street Baptist Church, built in 1847 on East 12th Street. In 1868, the congregation built the Moorish Revival synagogue at 43rd Street and Fifth Avenue, designed by Leopold Eidlitz. This building was demolished in 1927 before the construction of the new, present synagogue.[1][2]

1930 synagogue building

In 1929, the congregation moved to its present location at 65th Street and Fifth Avenue, where the Temple building was constructed to designs of Robert D. Kohn[a] on the former site of the Mrs. William B. Astor House. The vast load-bearing masonry walls support the steel beams that carry its roof. The hall seats 2,500, larger than St Patrick's Cathedral.[3]

The building was built between 1928 and 1929[4][5] and consecrated in 1930. Its style is said by some to be Romanesque Revival[6] — others say Moorish Revival with art deco ornamentation.[4] The mosaics were made by Hildreth Meière (1892–1961).[5]

The building on Fifth Avenue is one of the largest synagogues in the world. In size, it rivals many of the largest European synagogues such as the Grand Choral Synagogue of St. Petersburg, Moscow Choral Synagogue, and the Budapest Great Synagogue.[7] Emanu-El means "God is with us" in Hebrew.

In the building there is a museum with a collection that includes more than 650 pieces that date from the 14th century to the present day, which can be separated into two main categories: History of Emanu-El and Judaica. The museum also has special exhibitions, lectures and tours.[5]

Notes

  1. ^ Kohn was working in partnership with Charles Butler and Clarence S. Stein; Mayers, Mauray & Philip consulted.

References

  1. ^ Kates, Ariel (January 24, 2018). "Beyond The Village and Back: Temple Emanu-El, Reform Movement Builder and Shaker". Village Preservation. Greenwich Village Society for Historical Preservation. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  2. ^ Berman, Andrew (January 18, 2018). "From house of worship to NYU dorm: The story of the East Village's 'ghost church'". 6sqft. New York City. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  3. ^ Guide to New York City (5th ed.). American Institute of Architects.
  4. ^ a b "Temple Emanu-El - New York City, New York". Archived from the original on July 19, 2008.
  5. ^ a b c "Temple Emanu-El".
  6. ^ "New York Architecture Images- Temple Emanu-El (Synagogue)". Architecture.com.
  7. ^ Sacred Destinations Largest Sacred Sites in the World Archived 2008-07-23 at the Wayback Machine
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