Central Synagogue (New York City, New York)

 temple, Moorish Revival (architecture), interesting place

122-foot Moorish Revival-style synagogue completed in 1872. Designed by Henry Fernbach, the first prominent Jewish architect in the U.S., it uses Budapest's Dohány Street Synagogue as a model. It pays homage to the Jewish existence in Moorish Spain, and has been in continuous use by a congregation longer than any other in the city. After a fire in 1886, the building was restored by Ely Jacques Kahn.

The dramatic style of the building was the subject of much debate during the construction. Some felt its excess would inspire envy and stand in the way of assimilation. It is among the oldest synagogue buildings still standing in the United States. The building was restored in the original style after an accidental fire in August 1998, which occurred just as a major renovation was being completed. The fire destroyed the roof and its supports. The restoration of the building was supervised by Hugh Hardy of Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer (now H3 Hardy Collaboration). Hardy restored some details to the interior that Ely Jacques Kahn had removed in the earlier restoration in 1886.

Although the stone exterior is the finest extant example of the Moorish Revival style in New York City, the plan of the interior is Gothic in nature. The exterior walls alternate dark New Jersey brownstone with light Ohio sandstone. The gabled roof is tiled with black and red slate laid in bands. Dominating the east elevation are two striking octagonal towers, surmounted by globe-shaped copper domes enhanced by the patina of age. A prominent design element of this imposing facade is the largo handsomely enframed and geometrically constructed circular window, centered in the well-decorated front wall which connects the two towers. Three double-doors separated by slender columns support the round Moorish arches of the main entrance. The long north elevation wall contains six fine stained glass windows with Moorish arches. This facade is accented with a wide band at the 2nd floor, which continues through the tall windows. Below the cornice, at the roof line, is a row of small, handsome corbelled arches adding richness of detail and an interesting play of shadow to the otherwise stark exterior. The central nave rises one story above the low pitched roof of the aisle and contains six small round (clerestory) windows.

On Wednesdays at 12:45 p.m. a docent conducts a free tour, which begins at the front entrance. It also open each Tuesday and Wednesday from 12-2pm for quiet visitation by members of the public.

www.centralsynagogue.org/index.php/about_central