Beth David Synagogue (Amenia, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beth David Synagogue |
|
|---|---|
North elevation and west profile of synagogue with sukkah in front, 2008
|
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Dr. Jon Haddon (Emeritus) |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 3344 East Main Street (NY 343), Amenia, New York 12501 |
| Country | United States |
 Location in New York
|
|
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival influences |
| Date established | c. 1920s (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1929 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | North |
| Materials | Concrete, brick, asphalt |
Beth David Synagogue, also known as Congregation Beth David, is a synagogue located in Amenia, New York. A synagogue is a special building where Jewish people gather to worship and learn. This synagogue follows Reform Judaism, which is a modern way of practicing the Jewish faith.
The building is made of brick and was built in the late 1920s. It has a unique European style. It was originally built by Jewish families who moved to the area from Russia. Over time, the synagogue changed its practices from Orthodox Judaism to Conservative Judaism, and then to Reform Judaism. In 2002, Beth David Synagogue was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. It is the only synagogue listed on the Register in New York, east of the Hudson River and north of New York City.
Contents
Exploring the Synagogue Building
The synagogue stands on a piece of land about 46 feet wide and 124 feet long. It is on the south side of East Main Street in Amenia. Nearby are houses and a small forest. Evergreen trees mark the edges of the synagogue's property. A concrete path leads from the main sidewalk to the front steps.
Outside the Synagogue
The building is a tall, one-story structure. It sits on a concrete base covered with a special plaster called parging. The walls are made of hollow tiles covered with a brick layer. Decorative stone pieces, called cast stone, are used for trim. Brick pilasters (flat columns) are at the corners and along the sides.
The roof is shaped like a triangle (a gable roof) and has asphalt shingles. A narrow brick chimney sticks out from the back. There is also a smaller section at the back of the building.
The Front Entrance
Three concrete steps lead to the main entrance. There is also a wooden ramp for wheelchairs. The front doors are made of wood. Above the doors, a glass panel has "CONGREGATION BETH DAVID" painted in gold letters on a black background. Two lights are on either side of the doors.
Tall, narrow, round-arched windows are next to the entrance. Above the main door, there is a wider, round-arched double window. A gold-colored Star of David, a Jewish symbol, is in the triangular part of the roof above the entrance.
Side Views and Windows
Both the east and west sides of the synagogue have similar long, narrow windows. These windows are separated by the brick pilasters. The windows on the lower part of the building have stained glass with geometric shapes and Jewish symbols.
The back of the building has a one-story section with a shed roof and another brick chimney. A newer, larger section was added later. This addition has its own entrance and porch.
Inside the Synagogue
When you enter the synagogue, you first step into a small area called a vestibule. From here, stairs on the west side lead up to an upstairs gallery. There is also a bathroom on the east side.
The Main Worship Area
Another set of doors opens into the sanctuary, which is the main worship space. It is a square room with a high ceiling. The floor is covered with carpet, and the walls and ceiling are plastered.
The sanctuary has a traditional layout. A raised platform called a bimah is in the center. From the bimah, the Torah (Jewish holy scrolls) are read. Dark wooden pews (benches) with upholstered seats surround the bimah on three sides. Everyone faces the Torah ark, which is a special cabinet at the back of the room. The ark is painted with pictures of candlesticks and scrolls.
Above the ark, there are two golden Lions of Judah holding a scroll. A lighted crown hangs above them. Two stairs with lights lead up to the bimah. A large chandelier hangs in the center of the ceiling.
Other Interior Spaces
Along the sides of the sanctuary, lights called sconces are placed between the windows. Bookcases and plaques remembering people are located under the balcony. Another bathroom is next to the balcony.
Behind the sanctuary, there is a kitchen on the first floor and the rabbi's study on the second floor. The smaller back wing has bathrooms and a storage room. The larger addition is used as a classroom.
History of Beth David Synagogue
Beth David Synagogue was started by about 12 to 15 Jewish families from Russia. These families had moved to Amenia. Many of them had first lived in Ellsworth, Connecticut, where they farmed and rented rooms to summer visitors. By the 1920s, many moved to Amenia because it had better schools, electricity, and easy train access to New York City. Some families even opened their own hotels around Lake Amenia.
The Jewish community in Amenia was small. At first, members held worship services in their homes. They saved money for several years to build their own synagogue. A small piece of land was given to them.
Building the Synagogue
The cornerstone (a special stone laid at the start of construction) was placed on April 5, 1929. People from the local Christian community also attended the ceremony and donated money. A total of $240 was raised that day for the synagogue's construction.
The synagogue opened later in 1929. It originally had a flat roof, similar to buildings in Eastern Europe. The inside of the synagogue, with its central bimah and an upstairs gallery for women, showed the Orthodox Jewish traditions of the founding families. The outside brickwork had some Georgian design influences.
Changes Over Time
For the next 20 years, the synagogue and the Jewish community in Amenia grew. However, after World War II in the 1950s, people's vacation habits changed, and the summer resorts closed. A flood from Hurricane Diane in 1955 destroyed a dam and drained Lake Amenia, ending the resort business there. Many children of the founding families moved away. In 1960, the flat roof was replaced with the gabled roof you see today.
By 1970, the synagogue had only 12 members. To keep the synagogue going, it changed its practices. It first became Conservative Jewish, and then Reform Jewish. Even with changes in membership, the congregation celebrated the synagogue's 75th anniversary in 2004. Today, Beth David is a lively Reform Congregation. It welcomes members from both local residents and weekend visitors in Dutchess and Litchfield Counties.
See also
