Central Synagogue enjoys a vibrant history in New York City dating back to the early 1800s and we are proud of our rich and well-documented past.

Our archives contain thousands of historic documents and images, including Central’s original meeting minutes handwritten in German by our founders.

This video introduces the work of the Archives.

The guardians of Central’s history are the dedicated and knowledgeable members of our Archives team. Central Clergy and staff and a dedicated team of lay volunteers meticulously document, order, maintain, and continuously search through records that tell the story of our congregation. To request material or inquire about a specific part of Central’s history not found on our website, please contact the .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

From the Lower East Side to Midtown

Our congregation began on Manhattan’s Lower East Side when our parent congregations Ahawath Chesed and Shaar Hashomayim were founded in 1846 and 1839, respectively, by German-speaking immigrants who hailed predominantly from the Czechoslovak area of Europe. By 1872, the membership of Ahawath Chesed had prospered and grown as the city’s population shifted uptown. When land became available at 55th Street and Lexington Avenue, the location was well suited to them.

With amazing courage and vision, the 140 families of Ahawath Chesed commissioned Henry Fernbach, a prominent New York Jewish architect, to design its synagogue to seat more than 1,400 persons. At its dedication in 1872, Rabbi Adolph Heubsch described the building as “a house of worship in evidence of the high degree of development only possible under a condition of freedom.”

In 1898, Ahawath Chesed agreed to merge with Shaar Hashomayim to become Ahawath Chesed Shaar Hashomayim. In 1918, the congregation renamed itself Central Synagogue. Though tempted to continue its move northward, in 1913 the Central Board of Trustees decided to remain at its 55th and Lexington site.

Central Synagogue was designated a New York City Landmark in 1966 and a National Historic Landmark in 1975. It is the largest Reforming synagogue in continuous use in New York City and one of the leading Reform congregations in the country.

Currently, Central Synagogue’s thriving community comprises 3,600 member families. For information on becoming a member of Central Synagogue, visit our Membership page.
 

The Fire of 1998

Our history includes devastation as well as celebration. On August 28, 1998, just as the congregation was preparing for Shabbat worship, a fire was accidentally ignited as workers were concluding a three-year renovation of the building. Gratefully, there were no serious injuries, but our synagogue space was devastated. The roof and several support beams fell, penetrating the sanctuary floor. The choir loft and organ were also lost. Our prayer books were severely damaged and were subsequently buried in our cemetery as our congregation mourned. 

Miraculously, the ark was spared because it was under a separate roof. The Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) remained in place as did the mezuzah on the center front door where it remained throughout the reconstruction. Most of our ritual objects, including the Torah scrolls, had been previously removed from the building because of the renovation. Fortunately, we were able to rescue our Holocaust Torah scroll, which had been dedicated in memory of Jews who perished in the Holocaust. We are grateful to the New York City Fire Department, especially the 8th Battalion, for saving the cast iron columns supporting our building, the exterior walls, all the windows on the main and gallery floors (except one), and the rose window on the east wall over the choir loft.

New York’s political and spiritual leaders at the time, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Governor George Pataki, Cardinal John O’Connor, and Cardinal Egan of the Archdiocese of New York, local clergy, and Jewish community leaders stood by Central Synagogue as we rose from the ashes. We also received support from religious and community leaders from around the world and were visited by many, including the Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey and the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Sunday, September 9, 2001, the newly restored Central Synagogue was reconsecrated. Hundreds gathered along Lexington Avenue in front of our Main Sanctuary to be a part of the rededication. Two days later on September 11, our city was forever changed by terror attacks on Lower Manhattan.

25th Anniversary of the Rededication

On Erev Rosh HaShanah, September 11, 2026, Central will mark 25 years since our Sanctuary’s rededication and the attacks of September 11, which followed two days later.

Watch Central’s tribute video marking the 15th anniversary of our Sanctuary’s rededication here.

Today

Central Synagogue is a thriving Reform congregation in New York City committed to spreading joyful Judaism through learning, worship, and tikkun olam (repairing the world). With an active membership of over 3,200 families, Central Synagogue is a vibrant epicenter for Jewish life worldwide. Senior Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, also a cantor, is the first female rabbi to lead Central Synagogue in its nearly 200-year history. Acclaimed for its exceptional worship experience, inspiring sermons, and renowned musical program, Central draws a global audience every Shabbat via livestreaming.