Temple Emanu-El of New York (New York, 1930)

Temple Emanu-El
Temple Emanu-El
	Synagogue on the Upper East Side
Religion
Affiliation	Reform Judaism
Location
Location	New York City
Architecture
Style	Romanesque Revival or Moorish Revival
Creator	Clarence Stein, Robert D. Kohn, Charles Butler
Completed	1928–1929/1930

Temple Emanu-El of New York is a synagogue in New York City, built for Congregation Emanu-El of New York in 1928–1930. It is one of the largest synagogues in the world.

The first Temple Emanu-El[]

This is the second synagogue with this name. Previously, there was a synagogue of the same name, built in 1868. This building was demolished in 1927 before the construction of the new, present synagogue.

History[]

In 1929, the congregation moved to its present location at 65th Street and Fifth Avenue, where the Temple building was constructed to designs of Robert D. Kohn^[1] on the former site of the Mrs. William B. Astor House. The vast load-bearing masonry walls support the steel beams that carry its roof. The hall seats 2,500, larger than St Patrick's Cathedral.^[2]

The building was built between 1928 and 1929^[3]^[4] or 1930. Its style is said by some to be Romanesque Revival^[5] — others say Moorish Revival with art deco ornamentation.^[3] The mosaics were made by the famous (1892–1961).^[4]

The building on Fifth Avenue is one of the largest synagogues in the world. In size, it rivals many of the largest European synagogues such as the Grand Choral Synagogue of St. Petersburg, Moscow Choral Synagogue, and the Budapest Great Synagogue.^[6] Emanu-El means "God is with us" in Hebrew.

In the building there is a museum with a collection that includes more than 650 pieces that date from the 14th century to the present day, which can be separated into two main categories: History of Emanu-El and Judaica. The museum also has special exhibitions, lectures and tours.^[4]