Lincoln Square in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Congregation Shearith Israel

New York City Historic District

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 2, 2021

1. Congregation Shearith Israel Marker

Inscription. This building is a striking example of the monumental neo-American Classic style popular for public and ecclesiastical architecture at the turn of the century. Designed by Brunner & Tryon, it is the fifth synagogue erected by the congregation since 1730. The first building, the earliest synagogue in North America, was located on Mill Street, on the site of what is today 22 South William Street. It provided a permanent house of worship for the Jewish settlers who had been meeting in homes or rented quarters since their arrival in New York in 1654.

Erected 1975 by New York Community Trust.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Synagogues series list.

Location. 40° 46.49′ N, 73° 58.627′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Lincoln Square. It is at the intersection of 8th Avenue and West 70th Street, on the right when traveling south on 8th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

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2 West 70th Street, New York NY 10023, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Majestic - 115 Central Park West (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sheep Meadow (approx. 0.2 miles away); Central Park West: West 73rd-74th Street Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Henry Bliss (approx. 0.2 miles away); The San Remo (approx. ¼ mile away); Edna Ferber (approx. ¼ mile away); Richard Tucker (approx. ¼ mile away); S. Rankin Drew (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Falconer Statue (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Congregation Shearith Israel (America's First Jewish Congregation).

Congregation Shearith Israel Marker - wide view, looking across Central Park West (8th Avenue) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 2, 2021

2. Congregation Shearith Israel Marker - wide view, looking across Central Park West (8th Avenue)

The marker is (barely) visible here, behind the railings at ground level at the lower right corner of the building.

Congregation website entry:
"Congregation Shearith Israel, the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, was founded in 1654, the first Jewish congregation to be established in North America." (Submitted on May 7, 2021.)

2. Congregation Shearith Israel. Wikipedia entry:
"The Congregation Shearith Israel (Hebrew: קהילת שארית ישראל Kehilat She'arit Yisra'el "Congregation Remnant of Israel") – often called The Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue – is the oldest Jewish congregation in the United States. It was established in 1654 in New Amsterdam by Jews who arrived from Dutch Brazil. Until 1825, when Jewish immigrants from Germany established a congregation, it was the only Jewish congregation in New York City." (Submitted on May 7, 2021.)

3. The 1897 Congregation Shearith Israel Syngagogue - Central Park West. Daytonian in Manhattan website entry (Submitted on July 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

4. New York's First Jews (YouTube, 3 min.). (Submitted on May 7, 2021.)

Congregation Shearith Israel - 300th Anniversary marker.... image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 2, 2021

3. Congregation Shearith Israel - 300th Anniversary marker....

noting that the Congregation was founded in 1654 by the first Jewish settlers in North America. (Located just to the left of the main marker.)

Additional Congregation Shearith Israel marker for former Mill Street location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 1, 2021

4. Additional Congregation Shearith Israel marker for former Mill Street location

This marker is also immediately to the left of the main marker.

<i>Shearith Israel Portuguese synagogue, Central Park West and W. 70th Street, New York City</i> image. Click for full size.

Robert L. Bracklow (courtesy of the New York Historical Society), 1899

5. Shearith Israel Portuguese synagogue, Central Park West and W. 70th Street, New York City

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 799 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 7, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.