Synagogues of the Side Streets
For as long as there have been Jews in Manhattan – from the Portuguese Jews arriving in New Amsterdam, to the German Jews of the early nineteenth-century, to those in the wave of Eastern European Jewish immigrants from whom millions of New Yorkers are descended – they have found places to congregate. Then, as now, these places of worship could be attic lofts, churches, or grand synagogues built at great expense.
Here at Manhattan Sideways, we have explored a wide range of synagogues. We have seen the magnificent splendor of the Central Synagogue, the cozy intimacy of the Conservative Synagogue of Fifth Avenue, and everything in between. These institutions are, in the words of one congregant we visited with, “chugging along.” He told us, “it is not easy times for any of the synagogues of Manhattan.” Most, if not all of them, have far fewer members than in previous years. Some have been forced to merge with others to stay afloat or to sell to developers to be converted into condominiums.
What allows the existing synagogues to survive while others do not? It is a difficult question to answer, but one word we have heard over and over again is “community.” Synagogues never lose sight of the fact that their role is to serve both the members of their inner community and the larger one outside their doors. Their buildings act as meeting places for community boards, support groups, and in one case, an Off-Broadway theater troupe. For the synagogues of Manhattan, one thing is certain: the congregations uphold the Judaic tradition with fervor and continue to define the Jewish-American experience.
Below are some of these side street treasures. Many are housed in architecturally significant, beautiful buildings that reflect the devotion inherent in their construction and maintenance. Share in the tremendous history of these stunning spaces and their passionate congregations. Enter b’shalom – in peace.
