Ohave Shalom Synagogue (Woodridge, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ohave Shalom Synagogue |
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South profile and west elevation, 2008
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Nusach Ashkenaz |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Hillel Grossman |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 14 Maurice Rose Street, Woodridge, New York 12789 |
| Country | United States |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Abraham Okun |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Various early 20th-century revivals |
| Completed | 1930 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | West |
| Materials | Brick; concrete |
The Ohave Shalom Synagogue, also known as the Woodridge Shul, is a special Jewish place of worship (a synagogue) in Woodridge, New York. It follows the Orthodox Jewish traditions and the Ashkenazi way of prayer.
This brick building was built in 1930. It was started by a group of people who wanted a new synagogue, separate from the village's first one. Later, these two groups joined together. Inside, the synagogue has beautiful paintings about religious stories. It's the only synagogue in the area that still has these old paintings, even though some have faded over time.
Because it's so important, the synagogue was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. This means it's a special historical building. In 2020, people who attend the synagogue asked for help to keep the old building in good shape and fix parts of it.
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Exploring the Synagogue Building
The synagogue is a one-story building made of golden brick. It has fancy decorations like corner blocks and special trim around the windows.
Outside the Synagogue
The front of the building has a special entrance area that sticks out. It has a triangular top with a small round stained glass window. The main entrance has three sets of wooden doors. Above these doors are three windows, and above those, you can see Stars of David.
Along the sides of the building, most sections have a stained-glass window. The back of the building has parts that stick out, each with a stained-glass window. There's also a small addition at the back that holds the Torah ark, which is a special cabinet for the holy Torah scrolls.
Inside the Synagogue
When you go inside, there's a small lobby and then the main prayer room, called the sanctuary. It's set up in the traditional Orthodox way. There's a central platform called a bimah where prayers are led. Wooden benches surround the bimah on three sides.
Above the back part of the room, there's a balcony for women to sit during services. Both the ark platform and the bimah are made of wood with decorative posts. The ark is decorated with columns and Lions of Judah holding the Ten Commandments. Above the ark, a stained-glass window shows sunbursts and Stars of David. Three beautiful chandeliers hang from the curved ceiling.
The synagogue's walls and ceiling have special paintings. Some wall panels show holy places in Jerusalem. A long band of art around the room shows the signs of the zodiac. The back of the women's balcony has a mural painting. One painting on the ceiling is a fan shape with a gold border. These paintings are not as many as they used to be, but they are still very special.
Building Style and Design
The Ohave Shalom Synagogue mixes old and new styles. It has features from traditional synagogues in Eastern Europe, like the three-part front that reminds people of small corner towers. It also has a grander, more modern look, similar to Renaissance Revival buildings.
History of the Synagogue
Jewish people started moving to the area, then called Centerville, around 1900. They faced some challenges, but some were even among the first leaders when the village became official. The first synagogue in Centerville, called Anshei Centerville, was built in 1903.
In 1917, Centerville changed its name to Woodridge. This was done to attract more summer visitors. By the 1930s, Woodridge was a mostly Jewish village and an important center for the Jewish community in Sullivan County.
How Ohave Shalom Started
A disagreement happened among the people at Anshei Centerville. This led some members, who were often from the city and had more money, to buy land and build the Ohave Shalom Synagogue in 1930. Six years later, the original Anshei Centerville synagogue joined with Ohave Shalom. The old Anshei Centerville building was then used for daily prayers and as a school.
Changes Over Time
In the 1950s, the outside of the Ohave Shalom Synagogue was updated with a more decorative brick covering. Some of the original paintings inside, like on the ceiling, were painted over.
In 1976, the old Anshei Centerville building was taken down. A member of the synagogue, Max Cohen, gave a house across the street to be used instead. This house has been made bigger and now serves as a chapel and a mikvah (a Jewish ritual bath). It also stores some decorations from the original Anshei Centerville building.
