Sixth & I Historic Synagogue

Infobox religious building
building_name= Sixth and I Historic Synagogue


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location= Washington, D.C., USA
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religious_affiliation=Judaism
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leadership= Abe Pollin, president
Esther Foer, executive director
website= [http://www.SixthandI.org www.SixthandI.org]
architect= Louis Levi
architecture_type= Synagogue
architecture_style= Moorish Revival, Romanesque Revival, and Byzantine Revival
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year_completed= 1908
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dome_height_inner= 69 feet (21 m)
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dome_dia_inner= 25 feet (8 m)
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materials= vitrified brick and terra cottaThe Sixth & I Historic Synagogue is one of the oldest Jewish houses of worship in Washington, D.C. In addition to hosting religious services for different Jewish denominations, the synagogue hosts many lectures, concerts, and art exhibitions for the general public.

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. [The Temple That Traveled, Washington Post, August 14, 2005 [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/12/AR2005081201336.html] ] 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.

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 and John Kerry.

Bands and singers have included Idina Menzel, Bryan Adams, Adele, Grizzly Bear, Idan Raichel Project 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.

External links

* [http://www.sixthandi.org/ Sixth & I Historic Synagogue]
* [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/09/images/20050914-24_p091405pm-0108jpg-515h.html President Bush's Visit to the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue]

References