[go: nahoru, domu]
Jump to content

Congregation Emanu-El of New York: Difference between revisions

Edit links
Coordinates: 40°46′4.89″N 73°58′10.89″W / 40.7680250°N 73.9696917°W / 40.7680250; -73.9696917
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎Synagogues of Congregation Emanu-El: remove unnecessary headers, add sentence
(6 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Reform Jewish congregation in New York City, United States}}
{{Short description|Reform Jewish congregation in New York City}}
{{about|the Jewish congregation or organization|the congregation's former synagogue at 43rd Street and Fifth Avenue|Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1868)|the congregation's current synagogue at East 65th Street|Temple Emanu-El of New York (New York, 1930)|other uses|Emanu-El (disambiguation)}}
{{about|the Jewish congregation or organization|the congregation's former synagogue at 43rd Street and Fifth Avenue|Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1868)|the congregation's current synagogue at East 65th Street|Temple Emanu-El of New York (New York, 1930)|other uses|Emanu-El (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| name = Congregation Emanu-El of New York
| name = Congregation Emanu-El of New York
| image = Emanu-elNYjeh.JPG
| image = Emanu-elNYjeh.JPG
| size = 250px
| size = 250px
| caption = {{nowrap|[[Temple Emanu-El of New York (1930)|The current synagogue building, completed in 1930]]}}
| caption = {{nowrap|[[Temple Emanu-El of New York (1930)|The current synagogue building, completed in 1930]]}}
| formation = {{start date and age|1845}}
| formation = {{start date and age|1845}}
| type = Religious congregation
| type = Religious congregation
| purpose = [[Reform Judaism]]
| purpose = [[Reform Judaism]]
| location = [[Upper East Side]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]]
| location = [[Upper East Side]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]]
| headquarters =
| headquarters =
| region_served =
| region_served =
| membership = Approx. 2,000 families
| membership = About 2,000 families
| language =
| language =
| leader_title = Senior Rabbi
| leader_title = Senior Rabbi
| leader_name = Joshua M. Davidson
| leader_name = Joshua M. Davidson
| leader_title2 =
| leader_title2 =
| leader_name2 =
| leader_name2 =
| main_organ = Board of Directors
| main_organ = Board of Directors
| num_volunteers = Yes
| num_volunteers = Yes
| budget =
| budget =
| website = {{url|emanuelnyc.org}}
| website = {{url|emanuelnyc.org}}
}}
}}
'''Congregation Emanu-El of New York''' is the first [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] [[Jewish]] congregation in [[New York City]]. It has served as a flagship congregation in the Reform branch of Judaism since its founding in 1845. The congregation uses [[Temple Emanu-El of New York (1930)|Temple Emanu-El of New York]], one of the largest synagogues in the world.
'''Congregation Emanu-El of New York''' is the first [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] [[Jewish]] congregation in [[New York City]]. It has served as a flagship congregation in the Reform branch of Judaism since its founding in 1845. The congregation uses [[Temple Emanu-El of New York (1930)|Temple Emanu-El of New York]], one of the largest synagogues in the world.


The congregation currently comprises approximately 2,000 families and has been led by Senior [[Rabbi]] Joshua M. Davidson since July 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.emanuelnyc.org/ |title=Emanu-El {{!}} Home<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-05-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417031654/https://www.emanuelnyc.org/ |archive-date=2020-04-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The congregation is located at 1 East 65th Street on the [[Upper East Side]] of [[Manhattan]]. The Temple houses the [[Bernard Museum of Judaica]], the congregation's Judaica collection of over 1,000 objects.
The congregation currently comprises about 2,000 families and has been led by Senior [[Rabbi]] Joshua M. Davidson since July 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.emanuelnyc.org/ |title=Emanu-El {{!}} Home<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-05-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417031654/https://www.emanuelnyc.org/ |archive-date=2020-04-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The congregation is located at 1 East 65th Street on the [[Upper East Side]] of [[Manhattan]]. The Temple houses the [[Bernard Museum of Judaica]], the congregation's collection of more than 1,000 [[Jewish ceremonial art]] objects.


==History==
==History==
Line 32: Line 32:
The congregation was founded by 33 mainly [[History of the Jews in Germany|German Jews]] who assembled for services in April 1845 in a rented hall near [[Grand Street (Manhattan)|Grand]] and [[Avenue B (Manhattan)|Clinton Streets]] in [[Manhattan]]'s [[Lower East Side]]. The first services they held were highly traditional. The Temple (as it became known) moved several times as the congregation grew larger and wealthier.
The congregation was founded by 33 mainly [[History of the Jews in Germany|German Jews]] who assembled for services in April 1845 in a rented hall near [[Grand Street (Manhattan)|Grand]] and [[Avenue B (Manhattan)|Clinton Streets]] in [[Manhattan]]'s [[Lower East Side]]. The first services they held were highly traditional. The Temple (as it became known) moved several times as the congregation grew larger and wealthier.


In October 1847, the congregation relocated to a former Methodist church at 56 [[Chrystie Street]]. The congregation commissioned architect [[Leopold Eidlitz]] to draw up plans for renovation of the church into a synagogue.<ref>[[Rachel Wischnitzer]], Synagogue Architecture in the United States, Jewish Publication Society of America, 1955, p. 48</ref> Radical departures from [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] religious practice were soon introduced to Temple Emanu-El, setting precedents which proclaimed the principles of 'classical' [[Reform Judaism]] in [[United States|America]]. In 1848, the [[German language|German]] [[vernacular]] spoken by the congregants replaced the traditional [[Jewish services#Text and language|liturgical language]] of [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] in prayer books. Instrumental music, formerly banished from synagogues, was first played during services in 1849, when an organ was installed. In 1853, the tradition of calling congregants for [[aliyah (Torah)|aliyot]] was abolished (but retained for [[Bar and Bat Mitzvah|bar mitzvah]] ceremonies), leaving the [[Torah reading|reading of the Torah]] exclusively to the presiding rabbi. By 1869 the Chrystie Street building became the home of Congregation Beth Israel Bikur Cholim.<ref>New York as it was and as it is, Pub. D van Nostrand, New York, 1876,p. 131</ref><ref>[http://www.thehistorybox.com/ny_city/nycity_churches_1869_part_I_article1117.htm John Disturnell]</ref>
In October 1847, the congregation moved to a former Methodist church at 56 [[Chrystie Street]]. The congregation commissioned architect [[Leopold Eidlitz]] to draw up plans for renovation of the church into a synagogue.<ref>[[Rachel Wischnitzer]], Synagogue Architecture in the United States, Jewish Publication Society of America, 1955, p. 48</ref> Radical departures from [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] religious practice were soon introduced to Temple Emanu-El, setting precedents which proclaimed the principles of "classical" [[Reform Judaism]] in [[United States|America]]. In 1848, the [[German language|German]] [[vernacular]] spoken by the congregants replaced the traditional [[Jewish services#Text and language|liturgical language]] of [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] in prayer books. Instrumental music, formerly banished from synagogues, was first played during services in 1849, when an organ was installed. In 1853, the tradition of calling congregants for [[aliyah (Torah)|aliyot]] was abolished (but retained for [[Bar and Bat Mitzvah|bar mitzvah]] ceremonies), leaving the [[Torah reading|reading of the Torah]] exclusively to the presiding rabbi. By 1869 the Chrystie Street building became the home of Congregation Beth Israel Bikur Cholim.<ref>New York as it was and as it is, Pub. D van Nostrand, New York, 1876,p. 131</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehistorybox.com/ny_city/nycity_churches_1869_part_I_article1117.htm |title=John Disturnell |access-date=2009-03-16 |archive-date=2009-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106123252/http://thehistorybox.com/ny_city/nycity_churches_1869_part_I_article1117.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>


Further changes were made in 1854 when Temple Emanu-El moved to [[12th Street (Manhattan)|12th Street]]. Most controversially, mixed seating was adopted, allowing families to sit together, instead of segregating the sexes on opposite sides of a [[mechitza]]. After much heated debate, the congregation also resolved to observe [[Rosh Hashanah]] for only one day rather than the customary two.
Further changes were made in 1854 when Temple Emanu-El moved to [[12th Street (Manhattan)|12th Street]]. Most controversially, mixed seating was adopted, allowing families to sit together, instead of segregating the sexes on opposite sides of a [[mechitza]]. After much heated debate, the congregation also resolved to observe [[Rosh Hashanah]] for only one day rather than the customary two.


In 1857 after the death of Founding Rabbi Merzbacher, German speakers still formed a majority of the congregation and appointed another German Jew, [[Samuel Adler (rabbi)|Samuel Adler]], to be his successor.
In 1857, after the death of Founding Rabbi [[Leo Merzbacher]], German speakers still formed a majority of the congregation and appointed another German Jew, [[Samuel Adler (rabbi)|Samuel Adler]], to be his successor.


[[File:Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1868) interior.jpg|thumb|right|Interior of the old (1868) [[Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1868)|Temple Emanu-El]] then on 43rd Street and 5th Avenue.]]
[[File:Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1868) interior.jpg|thumb|right|Interior of the old (1868) [[Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1868)|Temple Emanu-El]] then on 43rd Street and 5th Avenue.]]
Line 43: Line 43:
In 1868, Emanu-El erected [[Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1868)|a new building]] for the first time, a [[Moorish Revival architecture|Moorish Revival]] structure by Leopold Eidlitz, assisted by [[Henry Fernbach]] at [[43rd Street (Manhattan)|43rd Street]] and 5th Avenue after raising about $650,000.<ref>Kathryn E. Holliday, Leopold Eidlitz: ''Architecture and Idealism in the Gilded Age''. New York: W. W. Norton, 2008, p. 71 ff.</ref>
In 1868, Emanu-El erected [[Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1868)|a new building]] for the first time, a [[Moorish Revival architecture|Moorish Revival]] structure by Leopold Eidlitz, assisted by [[Henry Fernbach]] at [[43rd Street (Manhattan)|43rd Street]] and 5th Avenue after raising about $650,000.<ref>Kathryn E. Holliday, Leopold Eidlitz: ''Architecture and Idealism in the Gilded Age''. New York: W. W. Norton, 2008, p. 71 ff.</ref>


The congregation hired its first [[English language|English]] speaking rabbi, [[Gustav Gottheil]], in 1873, from [[Manchester]], [[England]].
The congregation hired its first [[English language|English]]-speaking rabbi, [[Gustav Gottheil]], in 1873, from [[Manchester]], [[England]].


In 1888, [[Joseph Silverman]] became the first [[United States|American]]-born rabbi to officiate at the Temple. He was a member of the second class to graduate from [[Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion|Hebrew Union College]].
In 1888, [[Joseph Silverman]] became the first [[United States|American]]-born rabbi to officiate at the Temple. He was a member of the second class to graduate from [[Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion|Hebrew Union College]].
Line 54: Line 54:


===1926–present===
===1926–present===
In January 1926, the existing synagogue (built in 1868), was sold to the developer [[Benjamin Winter|Benjamin Winter Sr.]] for $6,500,000 who then sold it to [[Joseph Durst]] in December 1926 for $7,000,000.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/49232241/ The San Bernardino County Sun: "N. Y. Church Site Sold for $7,000,000 for Skyscraper Use"] December 15, 1926 | ''Temple Emanu-El, at the north-cast corner of Forty-third street, conceded to be one of the most valuable pieces of real estate of its size in the world, has been sold to Joseph Durst, vice president of the Capital National bank, at a valuation of $7,000,000, almost $370 a square foot. Mr. Durst plans to erect a 40-story office building on the site when he gains possession In May, 1928. The temple was purchased from the congregation last January by Benjamin Winter, real estate dealer, for $6,500,000.''</ref><ref>[http://www.durst.org/about/timeline.php The Durst Organization: Timeline] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225072549/http://www.durst.org/about/timeline.php |date=2015-12-25 }} retrieved July 8, 2012</ref> In 1927, Durst demolished the building to make room for commercial development.<ref>[http://mcnyblog.org/tag/temple-emanu-el/ The Museum of the City of New York: "Temple Emanu-El" by Lauren Robinson] October 11, 2011</ref>
In January 1926, the 1868 synagogue was sold for $6,500,000 to the developer [[Benjamin Winter|Benjamin Winter Sr.]], who sold it to [[Joseph Durst]] in December 1926 for $7,000,000.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/49232241/ The San Bernardino County Sun: "N. Y. Church Site Sold for $7,000,000 for Skyscraper Use"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804083805/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/49232241/ |date=2016-08-04 }} December 15, 1926 | ''Temple Emanu-El, at the north-cast corner of Forty-third street, conceded to be one of the most valuable pieces of real estate of its size in the world, has been sold to Joseph Durst, vice president of the Capital National bank, at a valuation of $7,000,000, almost $370 a square foot. Mr. Durst plans to erect a 40-story office building on the site when he gains possession In May, 1928. The temple was purchased from the congregation last January by Benjamin Winter, real estate dealer, for $6,500,000.''</ref><ref>[http://www.durst.org/about/timeline.php The Durst Organization: Timeline] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225072549/http://www.durst.org/about/timeline.php |date=2015-12-25 }} retrieved July 8, 2012</ref> In 1927, Durst demolished the building to make room for commercial development.<ref>[http://mcnyblog.org/tag/temple-emanu-el/ The Museum of the City of New York: "Temple Emanu-El" by Lauren Robinson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105215454/http://mcnyblog.org/tag/temple-emanu-el/ |date=2013-11-05 }} October 11, 2011</ref>


Emanu-El merged with Temple Beth-El in New York, New York on April 11, 1927, and both are considered co-equal parents of the current Emanu-El. The new synagogue was built in 1928-1930.
Emanu-El merged with New York's Temple Beth-El on April 11, 1927; they are considered co-equal parents of the current Emanu-El. The new synagogue was built in 1928 to 1930.


By the 1930s, Emanu-El began to absorb large numbers of Jews whose families had arrived in poverty from [[Eastern Europe]] and brought with them their [[Yiddish]] language and devoutly [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] religious heritage. In contrast, Emanu-El was dominated by affluent German-speaking Jews whose liberal approaches to Judaism originated in [[Western Europe]], where civic emancipation had enticed Jews to discard many of their ethnoreligious customs and embrace the lifestyles of their neighbors. For the descendants of Eastern European immigrants, joining Temple Emanu-El often signified their upward mobility and progress in [[Cultural assimilation|assimilating]] into American society. However, the intake of these new congregants also helped to slow or halt, if not force a limited retreat from, the 'rejectionist' attitude which 'classical' Reform had espoused towards traditional ritual.
By the 1930s, Emanu-El began to absorb large numbers of Jews whose families had arrived in poverty from [[Eastern Europe]] and brought with them their [[Yiddish]] language and devoutly [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] religious heritage. In contrast, Emanu-El was dominated by affluent German-speaking Jews whose liberal approaches to Judaism originated in [[Western Europe]], where civic emancipation had enticed Jews to discard many of their ethnoreligious customs and embrace the lifestyles of their neighbors. For the descendants of Eastern European immigrants, joining Temple Emanu-El often signified their upward mobility and progress in [[Cultural assimilation|assimilating]] into American society. However, the intake of these new congregants also helped to slow or halt, if not force a limited retreat from, the 'rejectionist' attitude which "classical" Reform had espoused towards traditional ritual.


From 1934 to 1947, Dr. [[Samuel H. Goldenson]] (1878–1962) was the senior rabbi of Temple Emanu-El. He was president of the [[Central Conference of American Rabbis]] from 1933 to 1935.<ref>{{cite web|title=Samuel H. Goldenson Papers|website=Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives|url=http://collections.americanjewisharchives.org/ms/ms0081/ms0081.html}}</ref>
From 1934 to 1947, Dr. [[Samuel H. Goldenson]] (1878–1962) was the senior rabbi of Temple Emanu-El. He was president of the [[Central Conference of American Rabbis]] from 1933 to 1935.<ref>{{cite web|title=Samuel H. Goldenson Papers|website=Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives|url=http://collections.americanjewisharchives.org/ms/ms0081/ms0081.html|access-date=2019-09-16|archive-date=2018-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629165139/http://collections.americanjewisharchives.org/ms/ms0081/ms0081.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


In 1973, [[David M. Posner]] joined the rabbinical staff. Known for his active involvement in the community,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/the-consummate-congregational-rabbi/|title=The Consummate Congregational Rabbi|last=Lipman|first=Steve|website=jewishweek.timesofisrael.com|date=23 October 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-20}}</ref> he served as the congregation's Senior Emeritus rabbi after his retirement.
In 1973, [[David M. Posner]] joined the rabbinical staff. Known for his active involvement in the community,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/the-consummate-congregational-rabbi/|title=The Consummate Congregational Rabbi|last=Lipman|first=Steve|website=jewishweek.timesofisrael.com|date=23 October 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-20}}</ref> he served as the congregation's Senior Emeritus rabbi after his retirement.
Line 66: Line 66:
== Synagogues of Congregation Emanu-El ==
== Synagogues of Congregation Emanu-El ==
[[File:Temple Emanu-el Tiffany Windows.jpg|thumb|Stained glass windows designed by [[Louis Comfort Tiffany]] for the 1868 Temple Emanu-El; now installed in the current building's chapel]]
[[File:Temple Emanu-el Tiffany Windows.jpg|thumb|Stained glass windows designed by [[Louis Comfort Tiffany]] for the 1868 Temple Emanu-El; now installed in the current building's chapel]]
=== Synagogue built in 1847 ===
⚫
{{see also|Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1847)}}


Congregation Emanu-El has occupied five buildings throughout its history:
=== Synagogue built in 1854 ===
⚫
{{see also|Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1854)}}


⚫
* [[Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1847)]]
=== Synagogue built in 1868 ===
{{see also|Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1868)}}
* [[Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1854)]]
⚫
* [[Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1868)]]
⚫
* [[Temple Beth-El (New York City)]]
⚫
* [[Temple Emanu-El of New York (1930)]]


The current building at Fifth Avenue and 65th Street was built between 1928 and 1929<ref name=sacred>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-destinations.com/usa/new-york-city-temple-emanu-el.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080719102307/http://www.sacred-destinations.com/usa/new-york-city-temple-emanu-el.htm|archive-date = 2008-07-19|title = Temple Emanu-El - New York City, New York}}</ref><ref name=nycarts>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyc-arts.org/organizations/54430/temple-emanu-el|title=Temple Emanu-El}}</ref> and [[consecrate]]d in 1930.<ref name="The New York Times 1930 g436">{{cite web | title=2,500 at Dedication of Temple Emanu-el; Rabbis and Officers of the Congregation in Ceremony atNew House of Worship | website=The New York Times | date=January 11, 1930 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/01/11/archives/2500-at-dedication-of-temple-emanuel-rabbis-and-officers-of-the.html | access-date=April 20, 2024}}</ref>
=== Synagogue built in 1891 ===
⚫
{{see also|Temple Beth-El (New York City)}}

=== Synagogue built in 1930 ===
⚫
{{see also|Temple Emanu-El of New York (New York, 1930)}}


==Notable members and funerals==
==Notable members and funerals==
Line 86: Line 82:
* [[Benjamin Altheimer]]
* [[Benjamin Altheimer]]
* [[Charles Benenson]]
* [[Charles Benenson]]
* [[Robert A. Bernhard]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forward.com/news/14237/the-lehmans-they-ve-moved-on-sad-a-little-02554/ |date=18 September 2008 |access-date=28 March 2016
* [[Robert A. Bernhard]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forward.com/news/14237/the-lehmans-they-ve-moved-on-sad-a-little-02554/ |date=18 September 2008 |access-date=28 March 2016 |title=The Lehmans? They've moved on. Sad? A little |work=[[The Forward]] |archive-date=17 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317172219/http://forward.com/news/14237/the-lehmans-they-ve-moved-on-sad-a-little-02554/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|title=The Lehmans? They've moved on. Sad? A little |work=[[The Forward]]}}</ref>
* [[Dorothy Lehman Bernhard]]
* [[Dorothy Lehman Bernhard]]
* [[Milton H. Biow]]
* [[Milton H. Biow]]
* [[Leon Black]]
* [[Leon Black]]
* [[Harvey R. Blau]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Harvey Blau obituary|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=harvey-blau&pid=187909415&fhid=2058|website=Legacy.com|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref>
* [[Harvey R. Blau]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Harvey Blau obituary|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=harvey-blau&pid=187909415&fhid=2058|website=Legacy.com|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=21 January 2018|archive-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122072535/http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=harvey-blau&pid=187909415&fhid=2058|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Paul Block (newspaper publisher)|Paul Block]]
* [[Paul Block (newspaper publisher)|Paul Block]]
* [[Michael Bloomberg]]
* [[Michael Bloomberg]]
* [[Lyman Bloomingdale]]
* [[Lyman Bloomingdale]]
* [[Samuel Bloomingdale]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Samuel Bloomingdale, 94, Dies; Department Store Head, '05-'30; Son of Co-Founder Was an Innovator in Retailing -- Active in Charities|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1968/05/11/77304407.html|access-date=2020-12-07|website=timesmachine.nytimes.com|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Samuel Bloomingdale]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Samuel Bloomingdale, 94, Dies; Department Store Head, '05-'30; Son of Co-Founder Was an Innovator in Retailing -- Active in Charities|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1968/05/11/77304407.html|access-date=2020-12-07|website=timesmachine.nytimes.com|language=en|archive-date=2023-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522074210/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1968/05/11/77304407.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Nathan Burkan]]
* [[Nathan Burkan]]
* [[Benjamin Buttenwieser]]
* [[Benjamin Buttenwieser]]
Line 112: Line 107:
* [[Andrew Lack (executive)|Andrew Lack]]
* [[Andrew Lack (executive)|Andrew Lack]]
* [[Edgar J. Lauer]]
* [[Edgar J. Lauer]]
* [[Abraham E. Lefcourt]]<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lefcourt Funeral Services Here Today |newspaper=[[The Jewish Telegraphic Agency]]|date=November 15, 1932 |url=https://www.jta.org/1932/11/15/archive/lefcourt-funeral-services-here-today }}</ref>
* [[Abraham E. Lefcourt]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lefcourt Funeral Services Here Today |newspaper=[[The Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] |date=November 15, 1932 |url=https://www.jta.org/1932/11/15/archive/lefcourt-funeral-services-here-today |access-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305080627/https://www.jta.org/1932/11/15/archive/lefcourt-funeral-services-here-today |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Adele Lewisohn Lehman]]<ref name=JWAAdele>[https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/lehman-adele-lewisohn Jewish Women's Archive: "Adele Lewisohn Lehman 1882–1965" by Laurie Sokol] retrieved October 30, 2015</ref>
* [[Adele Lewisohn Lehman]]<ref name=JWAAdele>[https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/lehman-adele-lewisohn Jewish Women's Archive: "Adele Lewisohn Lehman 1882–1965" by Laurie Sokol] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809030150/https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/lehman-adele-lewisohn |date=2018-08-09 }} retrieved October 30, 2015</ref>
* [[Herbert H. Lehman]]
* [[Herbert H. Lehman]]
* [[Irving Lehman]]
* [[Irving Lehman]]
Line 121: Line 116:
* [[Louis B. Marshall|Louis Marshall]]
* [[Louis B. Marshall|Louis Marshall]]
* [[Bernard H. Mendik]]
* [[Bernard H. Mendik]]
* [[William A. Moses]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Paid Notice: Deaths Moses, William A. |work=The New York Times|date=January 8, 2002 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/08/classified/paid-notice-deaths-moses-william-a.html }}</ref>
* [[William A. Moses]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paid Notice: Deaths Moses, William A. |work=The New York Times |date=January 8, 2002 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/08/classified/paid-notice-deaths-moses-william-a.html |access-date=February 25, 2019 |archive-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226045844/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/08/classified/paid-notice-deaths-moses-william-a.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Adolph Ochs]]
* [[Adolph Ochs]]
* [[Milton Petrie]]
* [[Milton Petrie]]
* [[Victor Potamkin]]
* [[Victor Potamkin]]
* [[Joan Rivers]]
* [[Joan Rivers]]
* [[Chester H. Roth]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chester Roth, Dies at 75; Founded Hosiery Concern That Became Kayser‐Roth |work=The New York Times|date=July 27, 1977 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/07/27/archives/chester-roth-dies-at-75-founded-hosiery-concern-that-became.html }}</ref>
* [[Chester H. Roth]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chester Roth, Dies at 75; Founded Hosiery Concern That Became Kayser‐Roth |work=The New York Times |date=July 27, 1977 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/07/27/archives/chester-roth-dies-at-75-founded-hosiery-concern-that-became.html |access-date=August 26, 2019 |archive-date=August 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825013854/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/07/27/archives/chester-roth-dies-at-75-founded-hosiery-concern-that-became.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Simon F. Rothschild]]<ref>{{Cite news|title= Simon Rothschild, Merchant Leader, Dies in 75th Year |newspaper=[[The Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|date=January 6, 1936 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7046107/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle/ }}</ref>
* [[Simon F. Rothschild]]<ref>{{Cite news |title= Simon Rothschild, Merchant Leader, Dies in 75th Year |newspaper= [[The Brooklyn Daily Eagle]] |date= January 6, 1936 |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7046107/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle/ |access-date= August 8, 2020 |archive-date= March 4, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210304094613/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7046107/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
* [[Frank Russek]]<ref>{{Cite news|title=Frank Russek Dies at 73; Founder of 5th Ave. Firm |newspaper=[[The Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|date= December 11, 1948|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7145083/frank-russek-obit/ }}</ref>
* [[Frank Russek]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Frank Russek Dies at 73; Founder of 5th Ave. Firm |newspaper=[[The Brooklyn Daily Eagle]] |date=December 11, 1948 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7145083/frank-russek-obit/ |access-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604213446/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7145083/frank-russek-obit/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Mel Sachs]]
* [[Mel Sachs]]
* [[David Sarnoff]]
* [[David Sarnoff]]
* [[Jacob Schiff]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Thousands Gather At Schiff Funeral |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1920/09/29/archives/thousands-gather-at-schiff-funeral-lower-east-side-pours-forth-its.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 29, 1920 }}</ref>
* [[Jacob Schiff]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Thousands Gather At Schiff Funeral |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1920/09/29/archives/thousands-gather-at-schiff-funeral-lower-east-side-pours-forth-its.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 29, 1920 |access-date=August 16, 2020 |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818100744/https://www.nytimes.com/1920/09/29/archives/thousands-gather-at-schiff-funeral-lower-east-side-pours-forth-its.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[M. Lincoln Schuster]]
* [[M. Lincoln Schuster]]
* [[Sime Silverman]]
* [[Sime Silverman]]

Revision as of 20:02, 20 April 2024

This article is about the Jewish congregation or organization. For the congregation's former synagogue at 43rd Street and Fifth Avenue, see Temple Emanu-El (New York, 1868). For the congregation's current synagogue at East 65th Street, see Temple Emanu-El of New York (New York, 1930). For other uses, see Emanu-El (disambiguation).
Congregation Emanu-El of New York
Formation1845; 179 years ago (1845)
TypeReligious congregation
PurposeReform Judaism
Location
Membership
About 2,000 families
Senior Rabbi
Joshua M. Davidson
Main organ
Board of Directors
Volunteers
Yes
Websiteemanuelnyc.org

Congregation Emanu-El of New York is the first Reform Jewish congregation in New York City. It has served as a flagship congregation in the Reform branch of Judaism since its founding in 1845. The congregation uses Temple Emanu-El of New York, one of the largest synagogues in the world.

The congregation currently comprises about 2,000 families and has been led by Senior Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson since July 2013.[1] The congregation is located at 1 East 65th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The Temple houses the Bernard Museum of Judaica, the congregation's collection of more than 1,000 Jewish ceremonial art objects.

History

1845–1926

Temple Emanu-El Front Facade

The congregation was founded by 33 mainly German Jews who assembled for services in April 1845 in a rented hall near Grand and Clinton Streets in Manhattan's Lower East Side. The first services they held were highly traditional. The Temple (as it became known) moved several times as the congregation grew larger and wealthier.

In October 1847, the congregation moved to a former Methodist church at 56 Chrystie Street. The congregation commissioned architect Leopold Eidlitz to draw up plans for renovation of the church into a synagogue.[2] Radical departures from Orthodox religious practice were soon introduced to Temple Emanu-El, setting precedents which proclaimed the principles of "classical" Reform Judaism in America. In 1848, the German vernacular spoken by the congregants replaced the traditional liturgical language of Hebrew in prayer books. Instrumental music, formerly banished from synagogues, was first played during services in 1849, when an organ was installed. In 1853, the tradition of calling congregants for aliyot was abolished (but retained for bar mitzvah ceremonies), leaving the reading of the Torah exclusively to the presiding rabbi. By 1869 the Chrystie Street building became the home of Congregation Beth Israel Bikur Cholim.[3][4]

Further changes were made in 1854 when Temple Emanu-El moved to 12th Street. Most controversially, mixed seating was adopted, allowing families to sit together, instead of segregating the sexes on opposite sides of a mechitza. After much heated debate, the congregation also resolved to observe Rosh Hashanah for only one day rather than the customary two.

In 1857, after the death of Founding Rabbi Leo Merzbacher, German speakers still formed a majority of the congregation and appointed another German Jew, Samuel Adler, to be his successor.

Interior of the old (1868) Temple Emanu-El then on 43rd Street and 5th Avenue.
The Temple Beth-El congregation (synagogue pictured) at 76th Street merged in 1927 with Congregation Emanu-El.
The Temple Beth-El synagogue seen from Central Park.

In 1868, Emanu-El erected a new building for the first time, a Moorish Revival structure by Leopold Eidlitz, assisted by Henry Fernbach at 43rd Street and 5th Avenue after raising about $650,000.[5]

The congregation hired its first English-speaking rabbi, Gustav Gottheil, in 1873, from Manchester, England.

In 1888, Joseph Silverman became the first American-born rabbi to officiate at the Temple. He was a member of the second class to graduate from Hebrew Union College.

The 1870s and 1880s witnessed further departures from traditional ritual. Men could now pray without wearing kippot to cover their heads. Bar mitzvah ceremonies were no longer held. The Union Prayer Book was adopted in 1895.

Felix Adler, the founder of the Ethical Culture movement, came to New York as a child when his father, Samuel L. Adler, took over as the rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, an appointment that placed him among the most influential figures in Reform Judaism.

In 1924, Lazare Saminsky became music director of the Temple, and made it a center of Jewish music. He also composed and commissioned music for the Temple services.

1926–present

In January 1926, the 1868 synagogue was sold for $6,500,000 to the developer Benjamin Winter Sr., who sold it to Joseph Durst in December 1926 for $7,000,000.[6][7] In 1927, Durst demolished the building to make room for commercial development.[8]

Emanu-El merged with New York's Temple Beth-El on April 11, 1927; they are considered co-equal parents of the current Emanu-El. The new synagogue was built in 1928 to 1930.

By the 1930s, Emanu-El began to absorb large numbers of Jews whose families had arrived in poverty from Eastern Europe and brought with them their Yiddish language and devoutly Orthodox religious heritage. In contrast, Emanu-El was dominated by affluent German-speaking Jews whose liberal approaches to Judaism originated in Western Europe, where civic emancipation had enticed Jews to discard many of their ethnoreligious customs and embrace the lifestyles of their neighbors. For the descendants of Eastern European immigrants, joining Temple Emanu-El often signified their upward mobility and progress in assimilating into American society. However, the intake of these new congregants also helped to slow or halt, if not force a limited retreat from, the 'rejectionist' attitude which "classical" Reform had espoused towards traditional ritual.

From 1934 to 1947, Dr. Samuel H. Goldenson (1878–1962) was the senior rabbi of Temple Emanu-El. He was president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis from 1933 to 1935.[9]

In 1973, David M. Posner joined the rabbinical staff. Known for his active involvement in the community,[10] he served as the congregation's Senior Emeritus rabbi after his retirement.

Synagogues of Congregation Emanu-El

Stained glass windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany for the 1868 Temple Emanu-El; now installed in the current building's chapel

Congregation Emanu-El has occupied five buildings throughout its history:

The current building at Fifth Avenue and 65th Street was built between 1928 and 1929[11][12] and consecrated in 1930.[13]

Notable members and funerals

References

  1. ^ "Emanu-El | Home". Archived from the original on 2020-04-17. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
  2. ^ Rachel Wischnitzer, Synagogue Architecture in the United States, Jewish Publication Society of America, 1955, p. 48
  3. ^ New York as it was and as it is, Pub. D van Nostrand, New York, 1876,p. 131
  4. ^ "John Disturnell". Archived from the original on 2009-01-06. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  5. ^ Kathryn E. Holliday, Leopold Eidlitz: Architecture and Idealism in the Gilded Age. New York: W. W. Norton, 2008, p. 71 ff.
  6. ^ The San Bernardino County Sun: "N. Y. Church Site Sold for $7,000,000 for Skyscraper Use" Archived 2016-08-04 at the Wayback Machine December 15, 1926 | Temple Emanu-El, at the north-cast corner of Forty-third street, conceded to be one of the most valuable pieces of real estate of its size in the world, has been sold to Joseph Durst, vice president of the Capital National bank, at a valuation of $7,000,000, almost $370 a square foot. Mr. Durst plans to erect a 40-story office building on the site when he gains possession In May, 1928. The temple was purchased from the congregation last January by Benjamin Winter, real estate dealer, for $6,500,000.
  7. ^ The Durst Organization: Timeline Archived 2015-12-25 at the Wayback Machine retrieved July 8, 2012
  8. ^ The Museum of the City of New York: "Temple Emanu-El" by Lauren Robinson Archived 2013-11-05 at the Wayback Machine October 11, 2011
  9. ^ "Samuel H. Goldenson Papers". Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives. Archived from the original on 2018-06-29. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
  10. ^ Lipman, Steve (23 October 2018). "The Consummate Congregational Rabbi". jewishweek.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  11. ^ "Temple Emanu-El - New York City, New York". Archived from the original on 2008-07-19.
  12. ^ "Temple Emanu-El".
  13. ^ "2,500 at Dedication of Temple Emanu-el; Rabbis and Officers of the Congregation in Ceremony atNew House of Worship". The New York Times. January 11, 1930. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  14. ^ "The Lehmans? They've moved on. Sad? A little". The Forward. 18 September 2008. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  15. ^ "Harvey Blau obituary". Legacy.com. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Samuel Bloomingdale, 94, Dies; Department Store Head, '05-'30; Son of Co-Founder Was an Innovator in Retailing -- Active in Charities". timesmachine.nytimes.com. Archived from the original on 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  17. ^ "Lefcourt Funeral Services Here Today". The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. November 15, 1932. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  18. ^ Jewish Women's Archive: "Adele Lewisohn Lehman 1882–1965" by Laurie Sokol Archived 2018-08-09 at the Wayback Machine retrieved October 30, 2015
  19. ^ "Paid Notice: Deaths Moses, William A." The New York Times. January 8, 2002. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  20. ^ "Chester Roth, Dies at 75; Founded Hosiery Concern That Became Kayser‐Roth". The New York Times. July 27, 1977. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  21. ^ "Simon Rothschild, Merchant Leader, Dies in 75th Year". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. January 6, 1936. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  22. ^ "Frank Russek Dies at 73; Founder of 5th Ave. Firm". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. December 11, 1948. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  23. ^ "Thousands Gather At Schiff Funeral". The New York Times. September 29, 1920. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Temple Emanu-El, New York.

40°46′4.89″N 73°58′10.89″W / 40.7680250°N 73.9696917°W / 40.7680250; -73.9696917

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Congregation_Emanu-El_of_New_York&oldid=1219936090"