Astoria Center of Israel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Astoria Center of Israel |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Rite | Non-denominational |
| Notable feature | Murals by Louis Pierre Rigal |
| Location | |
| Location | 27-35 Crescent Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York |
| Country | United States |
 Location in New York City
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Louis Allen Abramson |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Date established | c. 1880s (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1926 |
The Astoria Center of Israel is a special Jewish place of worship called a synagogue. It's in Astoria, a neighborhood in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. This building is important because it's a historic landmark.
Jewish people have been gathering here since the 1880s. The current building was finished in 1926. It has a beautiful Classical Revival style. In 2009, it was added to the New York State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's officially recognized as a significant historic site.
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What Does the Astoria Center Look Like?
The Astoria Center was designed by an architect named Louis Allen Abramson. It's one of the oldest synagogues in Queens.
Outside the Building
The outside of the building is made of brick. It has two floors and five sections across the front. Fancy stone decorations called "cast stone" are used for trim. There are tall, round columns called "Ionic piers" on either side of the arched windows. These columns hold up a decorative band called an "entablature." On top of that is a low, decorative wall called a "balustrade."
The main entrance is a round arch. Above the entrance, there's a special carving called a "cartouche." Inside this carving, you can see a Star of David, which is a symbol of Judaism.
Inside the Building
Inside the synagogue, there are amazing paintings called murals. These murals were created by a French artist named Louis Pierre Rigal. They were added a few years after the building was completed.
A Look Back: History of the Center
The story of the Astoria Center of Israel began a long time ago.
Early Beginnings
The Jewish community in Astoria started gathering in the 1880s. They formed a group called Mishkan Israel. In 1906, they built their first building. Later, in 1921, they built another building next to it. This new building was a Talmud Torah. It was a school where children could learn about their Jewish traditions and history. The goal was to "implant in our children a love and reverence for our noble tradition."
This education building later became the home of the Astoria Center of Israel. Sadly, the original Mishkan Israel building was later destroyed in a fire.
Becoming a Community Hub
In 1926, people started working to make the Astoria Center of Israel building even bigger. By 1929, the Astoria Center of Israel (ACI) had become a busy and important place. It was a "Center" for Jewish life in Queens. It offered many activities and services for the community. Because of its importance, it was added to the National and State Registers of Historic Places in 2009.
Meet the Rabbis
Rabbis are spiritual leaders in the Jewish faith.
Rabbi Joshua L. Goldberg
In 1926, Rabbi Joshua L. Goldberg became the first rabbi of the Astoria Center. He had a very interesting life! During World War I, he was forced to join the Russian Army. He then escaped and came to the United States. He joined the American forces and served in Europe.
After the war, he returned to New York. He went to school to become a rabbi. When World War II started, Rabbi Goldberg joined the U.S. military again. This time, he served as a chaplain. He was the first rabbi to serve with the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1951, he was honored with the title of rabbi emeritus of the Astoria Center of Israel.
