Beth Israel Synagogue

Beth Israel Synagogue, commonly referred to as Orchard Street Shul, is an active Orthodox Shul that is both designated as a New Haven Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since its construction in 1925, it is the only traditional synagogue that still functions regularly in downtown New Haven. In the latter half of the 20^th century, the synagogue’s decline in congregation members threatened the demolishment of the building, yet efforts from both the remaining congregation and the community sparked repairs and the revival of the Shul’s weekly services. Its survival through the city’s urban renewal projects and its present-day prominence in the neighborhood speak to the Beth Israel Synagogue’s architectural and cultural significance.

Beth Israel Congregation (1925-present day)

The Orchard Street Shul is associated with the Best Israel congregation, which was formed in 1913 and met in first a store front and then a temporary house until the completion of the construction of the present-day synagogue. Although the ethnic composition of the surrounding neighborhood has changed, the physical building itself, as well as its ritual of worship, have not changed since 1925. In its early years, the synagogue’s location proved advantageous and appealing to new members due to its proximity to Legion Avenue, a popular shopping district (3). This continuity rightly expresses the congregation’s unwavering Orthodox convictions and the unbroken chain of ownership. Since the synagogue’s inception, the same congregation that constructed the building has owned the property and conducted service in the synagogue (1). 

Beth Israel Synagogue is one of only two synagogues to have survived urban renewal and be left still standing in New Haven’s once traditional Jewish neighborhood. Specifically, it is the only orthodox Shul still standing and in regular operation in the historic section of New Haven. Its architectural significance lies in its outstanding preservation, showing little change over the years despite multiple instances of remodeling. Following the birth of the Congregation Beth Israel in 1913, a need for a larger and more permanent site resulted in the purchase of the land and property at 232 Orchard Street in 1923 for $12,000 (3). 

  The Orchard Street Shul stands proudly as a symbol of a once vibrant Jewish neighborhood, adjacent to Yale University and both campuses of Yale-New Haven Hospital. The synagogue is located in a densely built-up downtown neighborhood near the heart of New Haven. Facing east in the center of the block, the building is situated close to the street, so as to allow maximum curb presence. The synagogue survives its peers as the only Shul to still serve the downtown New Haven Jewish community.

Built in 1925, the Eastern European style synagogue boasts a unique blend of Federal style and Eastern European architecture shown in the façade. Beth Israel synagogue is a buff brick building in the traditional configuration of historic Connecticut urban synagogues, but with distinct Colonial Revival features. These features are most prominent in the paired columns ornamented in leaf embellishment on either side of the central door, as well as the flanking windows in the tower (1). The buff (yellow) brick of the building is a material that represents the popular fashion of the early 20^th century. The interior is marked by a long flight of wide stairs leading to central triple doors that are flanked by projecting towers (1). Uniquely, the Shul displays Moorish overtones, as epitomized by the twin bell-shaped (3). With the exception of the now metal (previously wood) double doors, all features appear to be original, including three original pendant crystal chandeliers. A historic photograph demonstrates that the interior of the synagogue as a whole is virtually unchanged over the course of the Shul’s history.

However, two major repair projects upgraded the building to allow for modernization. In 1982, the congregation raised fund for the repair and reshaping of the outside towers, brick improvement, and extensive roof repairs (3). In 2012 a more than necessary restoration of the Shul allowed for the preservation of the building’s architectural heritage. Through donations from the congregation and outside supporters from the neighboring community, the synagogue completed restoration of all of the brick facades of the building and front steps, improvement of the building’s endurance to weather, and window glazing restoration, along with other work. Efforts to preserve the synagogue are organized by the Cultural Heritage Artists Project (3).

1) "Beth Israel Synagogue (New Haven, Connecticut)." Academic Dictionaries and

Encyclopedias. 2010. Accessed February 23, 2018.

http://enacademic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/11860726

2) Ransom, David F. "NHRP Registration Form, Multiple Property Listing Historic

Synagogue of New Haven." April 1, 1995. Accessed February 24, 2018.

https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/95000578.pdf

3) "Shul History." Orchard Street Shul. Accessed February 24, 2018.

http://orchardstreetshul.org