Temple Shaaray Tefila
| Temple Shaaray Tefila | |
|---|---|
| Basic information | |
| Location | 250 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 |
| Geographic coordinates | 40°46′24″N 73°57′20″W / 40.773357°N 73.955463°WCoordinates: 40°46′24″N 73°57′20″W / 40.773357°N 73.955463°W |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| State | New York |
| Status | Active |
| Leadership | Deborah A. Hirsch (Interim Senior Rabbi) Amy Schwach (Executive Director) Michael Starr (President) |
| Website | www |
Temple Shaaray Tefila (Hebrew: שערי תפילה – Gates of Prayer) is a traditionally oriented Reform synagogue located at 250 East 79th Street (at the corner of 2nd Avenue) on the Upper East Side in Manhattan, New York City.
The synagogue was founded in 1845, and was officially chartered in 1848. It moved to its current location in 1958. It has over 1,200 family member units, and over 800 students combined in its religious school and early childhood programs.
The synagogue was founded in 1845 by 50 primarily English and Dutch Jews who had been members of B'nai Jeshurun, and was officially chartered in 1848. It was initially an Orthodox synagogue. It slowly turned to Reform Judaism over the years.
By 1862 it had 200 members. In 1865, it opened its religious school. In 1871, it consolidated with the Beth-El congregation, which had been organized in 1853.
The services were modified to a shorter, simpler version in 1879. Some of the material was presented in English. That was followed by the synagogue allowing men and women to sit together, introducing organ music and a mixed choir. In 1901, it had 240 members. In 1902, the congregation joined the Reform movement's national organization of congregations, the Organization of American Hebrew Congregations. By 1916, it had 500 members.
In 1921, the synagogue joined the American Reform movement – the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (or UAHC, now the URJ).
In 1993, it established a nursery school for children 2.5 to 5 years of age. In 1996, the corner of East 79th Street and 2nd Avenue at which it sits was designated Temple Shaaray Tefila Place, in celebration of the congregation's 150th anniversary.
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