Beth Hamedrash Hagadol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beth Hamedrash Hagadol is the first Eastern European synagogue founded in New York City and the oldest Orthodox Russian Jewish congregation in the United States.[1]
Founded by Russian American Jews in 1852, it included both a rabbinic family court and a group devoted to daily study of the Talmud.[2][3]
In 1885 the congregation purchased its current building on 60 Norfolk Street in the Lower East Side, a former Baptist church built 1850 in the Gothic Revival style.[1] From 1888 to 1902 Jacob Joseph, the first and only Chief Rabbi of New York City, was the congregation's rabbi.[4] Harry Fischel was the congregation's Vice President until 1902.
In 1952 Ephraim Oshry, one of the few European poseks to survive The Holocaust, became the synagogue's rabbi, a post he retained for 50 years.[5]
Though designated a landmark in 1967, the building deteriorated and suffered damage. On December 6, 2001, a fire severely damaged the roof, ceiling, mural paintings and decorative plasterwork. The main window was later blown out in a storm, and subsequent storms damaged the partially exposed interior. In 2003, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated the building an endangered historic site. By 2006 $1 million of an estimated required $3.5 million had been raised for repairs to the structure.[6]
As of 2006, the synagogue's rabbi was Mendl Greenbaum.[6]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Beth Hamedrash Hagadol, Gotham Center for New York City History. Retrieved March 22, 2007.
- ^ Lance J. Sussman. New York Jewish History , Jewish History Resources, New York State State Archives. Retrieved March 22, 2007.
- ^ Jonathan Mark. A Remnant Of Israel, The Jewish Week, June 17, 2004.
- ^ Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum. My Machberes, The Jewish Press, January 24, 2007.
- ^ Albert Amateau. Rabbi Ephraim Oshry, 89, religious scholar, dies, Downtown Express, Volume 16, Issue 19, October 07-13, 2003.
- ^ a b Jefferson Siegel. Rebirth, and reunion, at historic Norfolk synagogue, The Villager, Volume 76, Number 14, August 23-29, 2006.
[edit] External link
- 11 Most Endangered Places: Urban Houses of Worship, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2003.
- Exterior view
- Interior view
This article about a religious building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
This article about a New York City building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This Jewish history-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
