Beth Israel Synagogue (Cambridge, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beth Israel Synagogue |
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The former synagogue, in 2010
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Conservative Judaism (former) |
| Rite | Sephardic |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status |
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| Status | Closed; and repurposed |
| Location | |
| Location | 238 Columbia Street, Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Massachusetts
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Nathan Douglass |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Date established | 1900 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1903 |
The Beth Israel Synagogue is a historic building in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It used to be a Jewish synagogue, which is a place of worship. Built in 1903, it was the first and most important synagogue for the East Cambridge area. It's a great example of Romanesque Revival architecture, a style of building design. Today, it's no longer a synagogue. Instead, it has been turned into homes called condominiums. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 because of its historical importance.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The old Beth Israel Synagogue is located in The Port neighborhood of eastern Cambridge. It's on Columbia Street, between Hampshire and Market Streets. It's a two-story building made of brick with a sloped roof. It has square towers on each side.
Its Romanesque Revival style includes several cool features:
- Rows of narrow, round-arch windows.
- A large, round arch over the main entrance, called a Syrian arch.
- Decorative brickwork, known as corbelling, under the edges of the roof and at the bottom of the front gable.
The building was designed by an architect named Nathan Douglass. It was finished in 1903.
A Look Back: The Synagogue's Story
Jewish worship in East Cambridge started around 1898. That's when the Sephardic Congregation Anshai Sfard was formed. They first met in people's homes.
Congregation Beth Israel was started in 1900. Construction on this synagogue building began in 1901. It was completed in 1903.
In 1906, the congregation split into two groups because of different beliefs. This led to the creation of Congregation Agudath Ashkenazim. Later, in 1957, Congregation Anshai Sfard joined with Beth Israel.
Then, in 1962, Beth Israel and Agudath Ashkenazim decided to merge. They formed a new group called Temple Beth Shalom of Cambridge. The new congregation chose to use a different building on Tremont Street in Cambridge. This building is now known as the Tremont Street Shul.
By 1982, the Beth Israel building was no longer used as a synagogue. The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority took it over. It was then added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the former synagogue building has been changed into condominium units, which are like apartments.
Pictures of the Building
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Erected 1901
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Congregation Beth Israel
