Park East Synagogue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Park East Synagogue |
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Park East Synagogue in 2021
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Modern Orthodox Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Arthur Schneier |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 163 East 67th Street, Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York 10065 |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Manhattan
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Schneider & Herter |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style |
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| Date established | 1890 (as a congregation) |
| Completed |
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| Dome(s) | 2 (since removed) |
The Park East Synagogue is a special Jewish place of worship called a synagogue. It is home to a group known as Congregation Zichron Ephraim. You can find it at 163 East 67th Street in the Upper East Side area of Manhattan, New York City. This beautiful building was finished in 1890. It is so important that it was named a New York City Landmark in 1980. Later, in 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site in the United States.
Contents
The Synagogue Building
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The Park East Synagogue was built between 1889 and 1890. The architects who designed it were Schneider & Herter. They also designed many apartment buildings, called tenements, in other parts of Manhattan.
Architectural Style
The building's design is called Moorish Revival style. This style often uses arches and patterns inspired by buildings in North Africa and Spain. A special feature is its large, round rose window. The synagogue also has two towers, but they are not the same height. The tower on the eastern side is taller. This is unusual because most synagogues from that time had towers of the same height. Each tower used to have a round, onion-shaped dome on top, but these domes were removed a long time ago.
The Park East Synagogue is one of fewer than one hundred old synagogues from the 1800s that are still standing in the United States. Because of its history and unique design, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Special Inscription
Above the main doorway, there is a message carved into the stone. It is written in Hebrew and comes from a holy book called Psalm 100. The message says: "Enter into His Gates with Thanksgiving and into His courts with praise."
Leaders of the Synagogue
Congregation Zichron Ephraim was started by Rabbi Bernard Drachman and Jonas Weil. They wanted to promote Orthodox Judaism. This was an alternative to Reform Judaism, which was popular in the Upper East Side at the time.
Past Rabbis
Rabbi Drachman was the spiritual leader for 51 years until he passed away in 1945. Later, in 1952, Rabbi Zev Zahavy became the synagogue's rabbi. He was known for being a strong speaker for Orthodox Judaism. Many of his speeches were even reported in the New York Times newspaper. Rabbi Zahavy and his wife, Edith, who was a well-known educator, also started the Park East Day School. In 1957, Robert Briscoe, who was the Jewish Lord Mayor of Dublin, visited the synagogue. He came to pray on a Saturday morning, which is called Shabbat in Judaism.
Current Leadership
Since 1962, Rabbi Arthur Schneier has been the synagogue's main rabbi. He also leads a group called the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. The synagogue's chief cantor, who leads the singing during services, is Yitzchak Meir Helfgot. Rabbi Harold Einsidler is the religious spiritual organizer, and his wife Toby helps with the office and youth programs.
In late 2021, there was a discussion within the synagogue community. Some members expressed concerns about the synagogue's direction. An assistant rabbi, Benjamin Goldschmidt, who is the son of Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, was later no longer working at the synagogue. This led to some members leaving to form a new group called the Altneu in February 2022.
Activities and Events
Education for Kids
The Park East Day School is part of the synagogue. It provides education for children from a very young age all the way up to eighth grade.
Important Visitors
The Park East Synagogue has hosted some very important guests. In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI visited the synagogue during his trip to New York City. This was a very special event because it was only the third time a Pope had visited a synagogue. It was also the only time a Pope had visited a synagogue in the United States. In 2016, the U.N. Director General Ban Ki-moon gave a speech at the synagogue. He spoke in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Famous People Connected to Park East Synagogue
- Bernard Drachman
- Yitzchak Meir Helfgot
- Henry H. Minskoff
- Tamir Sapir
- Edwin Schlossberg
- Arthur Schneier
- Stuart Subotnick
See also
In Spanish: Sinagoga de Park East para niños
