Old Broadway Synagogue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Broadway Synagogue |
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Old Broadway Synagogue in 2014
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Nusach Ashkenaz |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 15 Old Broadway, Manhattanville, Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York 10027 |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Manhattan
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Meisner and Uffner |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Date established | 1911 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1923 |
The Old Broadway Synagogue, also known as Chevra Talmud Torah Anshei Marovi, is a special Jewish place of worship called a synagogue. It follows the Orthodox Jewish tradition. You can find it at 15 Old Broadway in the Manhattanville area of Harlem, Manhattan, in New York City.
The Jewish community that built this synagogue started in 1911. It was founded by Morris Schiff, an immigrant from Poland. At that time, many Jewish families lived in the Harlem area. The synagogue building itself was finished in 1923. In 2002, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
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About the Synagogue Building
The Old Broadway Synagogue is located on a street called Old Broadway. This street is a rare leftover from an old road in Manhattan. The building was designed in 1923 by architects Meisner and Uffner. It has a "vernacular" style, which means it uses local building traditions.
Early Days of the Community
The Jewish community that formed this synagogue came from Russia and Poland. They moved to New York in the late 1800s. Many of these families were Ashkenazic Jews. They first met in small shops or even in the back of a bar. Later, they bought a house on Old Broadway. This house was then taken down to build the synagogue we see today.
The synagogue also had a Hebrew school, called a Talmud Torah. This school was active from when the community started until the 1960s or 1970s. Important early rabbis included Simon Glazer and Shepard Brodie.
Rabbi Jacob Kret's Influence
The Old Broadway Synagogue is well-known because of its former rabbi, Jacob Kret. He was a very respected Jewish scholar from Poland. During World War II, Rabbi Kret faced many difficulties. After the war, he helped lead a school for people who had lost their homes.
A New Chapter for the Synagogue
Rabbi Kret became the spiritual leader of the Old Broadway Synagogue in 1950. By then, many of the original families had moved away. Rabbi Kret invited Holocaust survivors who were coming to New York to settle near the synagogue. These new families, many from Polish Hasidic backgrounds, helped fill the synagogue in the 1950s and 1960s.
Later, in the 1970s and 1980s, Rabbi Kret also worked as a mashgiach. This means he supervised food to make sure it was kosher (following Jewish dietary laws) at Barnard College. He also taught Jewish studies to students at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He had a big impact on many students from Columbia University, Barnard College, and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Rabbi Kret retired from the synagogue in 1997 and passed away in 2007.
The Synagogue Today
Since the year 2000, the Old Broadway Synagogue has attracted many young people. These young members live in areas like Harlem, Washington Heights, Morningside Heights, and the Upper West Side.
Community and Learning
The synagogue offers a weekly class on Pirkei Avot. This is a section of the Talmud, which is a collection of Jewish teachings. Pirkei Avot contains important ethical lessons.
The current president of the congregation is Dr. Paul Radensky. He is also an educator at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. The synagogue also holds a special event once a month called a "Shabbaton." During a Shabbaton, they invite a guest speaker or rabbi to share their knowledge. They also have special meals together on Friday night, Saturday, and Saturday afternoon.
