Congregation Chasam Sopher

Overview

The second oldest remaining synagogue building in New York, this handsome red brick structure was built in 1853 by Congregation Rodeph Sholem, a Reform congregation established in 1842 by German immigrants. They occupied the building for almost 50 years, then moved to the Upper West Side where they are still located.

Congregation Chasam Sopher (Seal of the Scribe) was founded by Polish Jews who purchased the building. It was named for the highly respected German scribe and Talmudic scholar Moshe Schreiber, whose surname means scribe in Yiddish. Hank Sopher, a descendent of the Chasam Sopher, spearheaded the Congregation’s building campaign that resulted in a complete restoration from foundation to roof. The project took more than three years to complete and the building was rededicated in September 2006.

The Congregation is a vibrant center for Jewish life and often hosts events ranging from concerts to cook outs! For more informaiton, visit their website at http://www.chasamsopher.org

Eastern European Jewish Heritage-LES
updated 11/2009 by NYU Tourism Maps