Central Synagogue (Manhattan)
The Central Synagogue (formally Congregation Ahavath Chesed Shaar Hashomayim; Yiddish: צענטראַל-סינאַגאָגע) is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue at 652 Lexington Avenue, at the corner of East 55th Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Built from 1870 to 1872 and designed by Henry Fernbach in the Moorish Revival style, the synagogue was influenced by Budapest's Dohány Street Synagogue. It has been continuously used by a congregation for longer than any other in New York state, except Congregation Berith Sholom in Troy, and is among the oldest existing synagogue buildings in the United States.
| Central Synagogue | |
|---|---|
Yiddish: צענטראַל-סינאַגאָגע | |
The synagogue on Lexington Avenue, in 2023 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbis:
|
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 646–652 Lexington Avenue, Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York |
| Country | United States |
Location in Manhattan, New York City | |
| Geographic coordinates | 40°45′35″N 73°58′14″W |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Henry Fernbach |
| Type | Synagogue |
| Style | Moorish Revival |
| Date established | 1846 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1872 |
| Website | |
| centralsynagogue | |
Central Synagogue | |
U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
U.S. National Historic Landmark | |
New York State Register of Historic Places | |
New York City Landmark No. 0276 | |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000423 |
| NYSRHP No. | 06101.000429 |
| NYCL No. | 0276 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 9, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | May 15, 1975 |
| Designated NYSRHP | June 23, 1980 |
| Designated NYCL | July 7, 1966 |
The building was designated a New York City landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1966, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975.