Hebrew Congregation of Mountaindale Synagogue facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hebrew Congregation of Mountaindale Synagogue
North elevation and west profile of synagogue, 2008
Religion
Affiliation	Orthodox Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Synagogue
Status	Active
Location
Location	6 Spring Glen Road, Mountaindale, Sullivan County, New York 12763
Country	United States
Location in New York
Architecture
Date established	1912 (as a congregation)
Completed	1917
Construction cost	$5,000
Specifications
Direction of façade	North
Materials	Stucco, stone

The Hebrew Congregation of Mountaindale Synagogue is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Mountaindale. This small building was constructed in 1917. It was made a bit bigger in the 1930s. Inside, it has many cool decorations, like walls painted to look like marble.

This synagogue is special because it's the only one in Sullivan County with its own mikvah. A mikvah is a Jewish ritual bath. In 2001, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical building. It shows what early 20th-century synagogues in the Catskills looked like.

What Makes the Synagogue Special?

The synagogue building and the mikvah are both part of its historical listing. The synagogue is a two-story building. It has a stucco (a type of plaster) outside. Its roof is shaped like a triangle (gable).

Outside the Synagogue

At the top of the front roof, there is a round window. This window has a Star of David design. A similar metal star sits on top of the front entrance. This front part, called a vestibule, was added later. It has a roof supported by four pillars.

Inside the Synagogue

When you go through the double wooden doors, you enter the vestibule. From there, you go into the main prayer area, called the sanctuary. It is set up in a traditional way. Many surfaces inside are painted to look like marble.

In the middle of the room is the bimah. This is a raised platform where the Torah is read. Pews (benches) surround the bimah on three sides. They face the ark at the back. The ark is a special cabinet where the Torah scrolls are kept. There is also a separate area for women.

The windows have fancy wooden frames. The ceiling is made of pressed metal with decorative designs. The stained glass windows show Hebrew symbols.

The Mikvah Building

The mikvah is a small, one-story building next to the synagogue. It also has a stucco outside and a gabled roof. Inside, it has a changing room and the bath itself.

History of the Synagogue

In the early 1900s, many Jewish people came to the Catskills. They were often immigrants from Germany. They started farms or opened summer resorts. This was because Jewish people were not always welcome at other resorts back then.

Building the Congregation

Enough Jewish families had moved to Mountaindale by 1912 to form a congregation. This is a group of people who gather for religious worship. In 1915, a Hebrew school was built. Then, construction started on the synagogue building.

It cost $5,000 to build the synagogue. That was a lot of money back then! After it was finished in 1917, a special event was held to help pay off the building's loan.

Changes Over Time

In 1930, the front vestibule was added to the synagogue. The mikvah was built about ten years later. It was a community project, meaning many people helped build it.

In the 1990s, some parts of the inside were updated. New siding was added, and the ark was replaced. New windows were also put in. Some of the original paintings inside were covered up during this time. However, pictures of them still exist.

A Historic Landmark

The synagogue and mikvah were officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. This helps protect them as important historical sites.

In 2009, a truck driver accidentally caused some damage to the synagogue. The truck hit electrical wires, which fell onto the roof and started a small fire. The roof was slightly damaged. In 2019, the congregation received a grant to help fix the roof.