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Sixth Amp; I Historic Synagogue

38 54 '02 "N 77 01' 13" W / 38.90058, -77.02023

The Sixth & I Historic Synagogue built at the intersection of Sixth Street and I Street, is a place of prayer oldest community Jewish in Washington. In addition to religious services, the synagogue hosts conferences, concerts and art exhibitions open to everyone.

/ / History

Construction

The community Adas Israel was created in 1869 by former members of the community "First Hebrew Congregation," finding it too reformist , and desiring to return to a more traditional practice of the Jewish religion.

The first synagogue was consecrated in 1876 in the presence of President of the United States Ulysses Grant , quickly proving too cramped, it was decided from 1899 to draw up plans for a new synagogue.

In 1905 , after finding a buyer for the old synagogue, Adas Israel bought land at the intersection of Sixth Street and I Street, for an amount of 7,000 dollars and 10,500 dollars in cash payable the year following with an interest of 4.5%. The land is then taken to cadastre under the name: Hebrew Church (Jewish Church). The location is ideal because it is near the main neighborhood commercial center and at the time of the Jewish community of Washington.

The architect Louis Levi Arthur Cowsill and the contractor must first prove to the engineers of the city that the foundation of the building in concrete reinforced with a range of 45 meters, a technology unique for its time, is capable of withstanding the weight of the entire building.

Born in 1868 in Baltimore ( Maryland ), Levi is a graduate of MIT ( Massachusetts Institute of Technology ) and has already built several other synagogues, Shearith Israel like that of Baltimore and Lakewood.

The work may begin in 1906 , and laying the foundation stone of official held on 22 November 1906 in presence of officials of government and members of the clergy Christians and Jews. By custom, a box is embedded within the stone and contains according to the news of the day: a copy of the U.S. Constitution , the list of all members of the Adas Israel community, parts of currency in 1906 A copy of the newspaper Evening Star, 10 September 1898 describing the dedication of the former synagogue and the New York Herald, 15 April 1865 announcing the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

The synagogue was consecrated on 5 January 1908 in the presence of numerous personalities both civil and religious. The total cost of the building amounting to 90,000 dollars.

The Washington Post described the building:

"This new place of worship, although not as large as many churches in the city, is considered an architectural point of view, as one of Washington's finest. It is built with bricks glazed gray with beautiful linings in clay and a roof with tiles unglazed red. There are five domes , the center of a large 14 meter diameter and a smaller in all four corners. The building style is a combination of modernized French style and Byzantine style . Decorations above entries are rich in motifs and harmonious proportions.

The main feature inside is the central dome, the ceilings that rise to over 22 meters above the floor of the sanctuary. Style cathedral prevail for the interior: the arches, large and small rear their graceful curves to meet. The glaze of bright white paneling and white sand of the walls show a striking contrast the windows richly colored. "

The interlude of the Turner Memorial

In 1945 , in response to the significant increase in the number of his followers, Adas Israel buys a new land between Connecticut Avenue and Porter Street and Quebec, to build a new synagogue.

In 1951 , the synagogue Sith & I was sold to Turner Memorial. After transformation and renovation of the interior of the building became the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1979 , the Turner Memorial added a building with four floors on a plot adjacent to the offices and community activities.

In 2002 , the Turner Memorial decided to relocate to Hyattsville, Maryland to follow the migration of his followers, and sets selling the building.

The new synagogue

The Jewish Historical Society (Jewish Historical Society) launches a campaign for the redemption of the building. The owner of the team of basketball for the Washington Wizards , Abe Pollin with local entrepreneurs Shelton Zuckerman and Douglas Jemal bought the building in 2002 and restored to the Jewish community. The architectural firm of Shalom Baranes Associates and restore the building and voluntarily returns to its original synagogue.

After over fifty years a church, the building becomes a synagogue and is the rededication on April 22 2004. This ceremony is based on the theme "From Generation to Generation."

Visit of President George W. Bush

President Bush visits the Sith & I Historic Synagogue on 14 September 2005 when the festivities commemorating the 350 years of Jewish life in America. During his speech, he stated the importance of this building for the city of Washington:

"... I saw the devotion with which this jewel, which was built almost a century ago, has been restored ... a jewel that houses three Torah scrolls rescued from the Holocaust. We are proud to have this synagogue the heart of the capital of our nation and we are pleased that a new generation revitalizing this house of God. "

It was the first President Bush's visit to a synagogue since his election.