| Sixth and I Historic Synagogue | |
|---|---|
Sixth and I Historic Synagogue in 2006 |
|
| Basic information | |
| Location | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Leadership | Abe Pollin, president Esther Foer, executive director |
| Website | www.SixthandI.org |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | Louis Levi |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Moorish Revival, Romanesque Revival, and Byzantine Revival |
| Year completed | 1908 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome height (inner) | 69 feet (21 m) |
| Dome dia. (inner) | 25 feet (8 m) |
| Materials | vitrified brick and terra cotta |
The Sixth & I Historic Synagogue is a Jewish synagogue located at the corner of Sixth Street and I Street, NW in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It is one of the oldest synagogues in the city. In addition to hosting religious services for different Jewish denominations, the synagogue hosts many lectures, concerts, and art exhibitions for the general public.
Contents |
History
The building was constructed by the Adas Israel congregation and dedicated on January 8, 1908, near what was then the main commercial district in town and the center of the Jewish community in Washington. In 1951 the congregation moved to a new building on Connecticut Avenue and sold its building on the corner of 6th and I Streets, NW to the Turner Memorial A.M.E. Church.[1] The church in turn moved to Hyattsville, Maryland fifty years later.
Three local Jewish developers decided to acquire the historic building to preserve it as a synagogue. The main impetus for the restoration came from real estate developer Shelton Zuckerman, who contacted Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin, who in turn contacted Douglas Jemal. Working from wedding photos from 1949, the building was returned to its original design and decor. It was rededicated and opened to the public on April 22, 2004.
Sixth & I has been recognized by The Slingshot Fund in 2007-2008 as well as 2008-2009. Slingshot recognizes "the 50 most inspiring and innovative organizations, projects, and programs in the North American Jewish community today."[2] Furthermore, in 2009, Sixth & I was named one of America's 25 most vibrant congregations in Newsweek magazine.[3]
Cultural events
Guest speakers have included Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer, Salman Rushdie, Jhumpa Lahiri, Nancy Pelosi, David Gregory, Chris and Kathleen Matthews, George W. Bush, Annie Leibovitz, Lewis Black, Toni Morrison, Tom Brokaw, A.B. Yehoshua, Rob Riggle, Amy Sedaris, and John Kerry.
Bands and singers have included Idina Menzel, Bryan Adams, Adele, Grizzly Bear, Idan Raichel Project, Yael Naim, Beiruit, Antony and the Johnsons, M. Ward, Marc Broussard and Matisyahu.
Worship
Sixth & I Synagogue carries six sets of prayer books representing all Jewish denominations. The synagogue has four restored Torah scrolls that survived The Holocaust, including one of just thirteen to survive from Węgrów, Poland.
Partnerships
Sixth & I partners with a wide variety of local and national organizations, including Live Nation, Politics & Prose Bookstore, National Geographic, Heeb magazine, B'nai B'rith, Slate magazine, The New Republic magazine, Taglit-Birthright Israel, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, JDub Records, and many others.
See also
References
- ^ Myers, Phyllis (August 14, 2005). "The Temple That Traveled". The Washington Post: p. B08. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/12/AR2005081201336.html.
- ^ [1]
- ^ America’s 25 Most Vibrant Congregations, Newsweek, April 4, 2009
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sixth and I historic synagogue |
- Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
- President Bush's Visit to the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
- Synagogue Director Plays By Her Own Rules
Coordinates: 38°54′02″N 77°01′13″W / 38.9005896°N 77.020238°W
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