Contents Contents ............................................................................................................................................. v Preface: The Lost Synagogues of Manhattan...................................................................................ix Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................ x Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 1 History of Jews in Manhattan ...........................................................................................................6 Synagogue Names: What Do They Tell Us About Jewish Life In Manhattan? ............................. 16 Real Estate .......................................................................................................................................22 In–Depth Look at Some Former Synagogues in Manhattan .........................................................30 Anshe Ileya/Forsyth Street Shul ............................................................................................................ 32 Ansche Chesed........................................................................................................................................ 36 Meeting the Faithful at Converted Manhattan Ex-Shuls ..............................................................42 Attending Shul on the Lower East Side in 2011..............................................................................46 Visiting Former Shuls That Became Residences ............................................................................50 Tisha B’Av and Lost Synagogues Throughout New York City.......................................................52 A Lost Synagogue Tribute to My Father, Ed Levitt ........................................................................55 Introduction to the Individual Entries............................................................................................59 Conclusion........................................................................................................................................63 List of Synagogues, Schools and Other Jewish Institutions ..........................................................68 Manhattan Lost Synagogues ...........................................................................................................70 49 East Broadway....................................................................................................................................71 98 Forsyth Street.................................................................................................................................... 72 133 Eldridge Street ................................................................................................................................. 73 197 Henry Street..................................................................................................................................... 75 Aaron David Anshei Lubitz/ B’nai Moses Chasidei Kobrin/and others ............................................... 76 Adath Jacob Anshei Slabodke/ Linath Hazedek Anshei Sakolka...........................................................77 Ahavath Achim Anshe Usda Ahavath Torah..........................................................................................78 Anshe Emeth of West Harlem................................................................................................................ 79 Anshei Chasidei Vishnitze Austria .........................................................................................................80 Anshei Poilin/Anshei Mozir................................................................................................................... 81 Anshei Zhitomer u’Lid/Bikesh Sholom Anshei Ostrova .......................................................................82 Augustower Talmud Torah/ Congregation of Talmud Torah Augustower...........................................83 Be’er Mayim Chaim ................................................................................................................................84 Beth Hamedrash Hagadol Anshe Ungarn .............................................................................................85 Beth Hamedrash Hagadol (Norfolk Street) ........................................................................................... 87 Beth Israel Center...................................................................................................................................90 B’nai Isaac Anshei Lechowitz..................................................................................................................91 B’nai Israel Anshei Piontnitza/ Chevrah B’nai Abraham Anshei Oretske ............................................ 92 B’nai Israel Kalwarie (also known as the Pike Street Shul and Kalvarier Shul)................................... 93 B’nai Pithechei Teshuva Anshei Anikst/ Chevrah Anshei Alt Konstantin ............................................ 96 Brotherhood Synagogue......................................................................................................................... 97 Center of the Proskurover Zion Congregation.......................................................................................98 Chevrah Ahawath Yeshurun Shara Torah ............................................................................................. 99 Chevra Bachurim Anshei Ungarn .........................................................................................................101 Chevrah Kadisha Anshei Sochetchov/ Congregation Chevrah Kadisha Anshei Podolsk ................... 102 Commandment Keepers Congregation................................................................................................103 Congregation Agudath Achim.............................................................................................................. 104 Congregation Ahavath Israel................................................................................................................ 105 Congregation Ahavath Torah ............................................................................................................... 106 The Lost Synagogues of Manhattan • v Congregation Ansche Chesed (Central Harlem)...................................................................................107 Congregation Ansche Chesed/Congregation Tikvath Israel ............................................................... 109 Congregation Anshe Tifereth Jerushelaim ........................................................................................... 111 Congregation Atereth Israel.................................................................................................................. 113 Congregation B’nai Israel/Nachlas Zvi.................................................................................................114 Congregation B’nai Moses Joseph Anshei Zawichost and Zosmer ..................................................... 115 Congregation Beth Haknesseth Anshei Mielitz ....................................................................................118 Congregation Beth Hamedrash Shaarei Torah/ Anshei Ratzk u’Matte Levi .......................................119 Congregation Beth Moshe.....................................................................................................................121 Congregation Delatiner Erste/ Halitzer Erste Verein/Neustadter First Congregation.......................122 Congregation Erste Warshawer/Adath Jeshurun of Jassy ..................................................................123 Congregation Etz Chaim Anshe Wolozin............................................................................................. 124 Congregation Kol Israel Anshei Poland/ Mishkan Israel Anshe Suwalki........................................... 126 Congregation Masas Benjamin Anshe Podhajce/ Congregation Rodeph Shalom Independent Podhajce/Congregation Kochob Jacob Anshe Kamenitz-Lit(e)/Congregation Beth Yitzchok/Others ...........................................................................................................................................................127 Congregation Mount Zion.................................................................................................................... 129 Congregation Ohab Zedek (of Harlem) ............................................................................................... 130 Congregation Peni-El/ Congregation Agudath Achim M’Krakau ........................................................132 Congregation Poel Zedek Anshe Ileya...................................................................................................133 Congregation Shaaray Tefila .................................................................................................................135 Congregation Ukadisha B’nai Israel Mikalwarie/ Sons of Israel Kalvarier .........................................137 Fannie Siegel Anshei Berlader/ Tifereth Israel Anshei Stepenesht .................................................... 138 First Roumanian Synagogue ................................................................................................................ 139 Fort Washington Synagogue ...............................................................................................................