Altneu

For the historic synagogue in Prague, see Old New Synagogue.
The Altneu
Religion
AffiliationModern Orthodox Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
LeadershipRabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt
StatusActive
Location
LocationUpper East Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York
CountryUnited States
Architecture
Date established2022 (as a congregation)
Construction cost$34.5 million (purchase cost)

The Altneu is a Modern Orthodox synagogue located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, New York, United States. The synagogue informally formed in late 2021 after the departure of Rabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt from the Park East Synagogue, and officially launched in early 2022.

History

Park East Synagogue, a 133-year-old Modern Orthodox synagogue on the Upper East Side of New York City, had been led by Senior Rabbi Arthur Schneier for over 50 years. In a letter sent to synagogue membership on October 4, 2021, a group of congregants expressed concern with the synagogue's trajectory and announced a committee to revitalize the synagogue, along with Assistant Rabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt, the son of Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt. Less than two weeks later, Goldschmidt was fired by Park Avenue on October 15.[1]

By late October, Goldschmidt began hosting his own Shabbat services at locations in the Upper East Side, with at least 80 people attending.[2]

Goldschmidt and his wife Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt announced the Altneu, a portmanteau of the Yiddish words for "old" and "new" on February 15, 2022.[3]

In the synagogue's early days, they rented venues throughout the East Side of Manhattan, such as the Asia Society, Pierre Hotel, Explorers Club, and the Harold Pratt House. In April 2024, the synagogue announced that it had purchased the Thomas Lamont mansion for $34.5 million.[4]

Activities

One of the synagogue's first initiatives was supporting Ukrainian refugees. Synagogue members raised over $35,000 and the synagogue donated $15,000 to pay for the wedding ceremony of Ukrainian Jewish refugees in Israel.[5]

After the October 7 attack in 2023, the synagogue launched a Jewish matchmaking initiative to emphasize Jewish identity and continuity.[6]

References

  1. ^ Sales, Ben (2021-10-20). "Park East Synagogue pushes out assistant rabbi, sparking protest". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  2. ^ Sales, Ben (2021-11-02). "Fired Park East rabbi holding rival services blocks from his old synagogue". New York Jewish Week. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  3. ^ Gergely, Julia (2022-02-16). "Rabbi ousted from Park East Synagogue announces new congregation on the Upper East Side". New York Jewish Week. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  4. ^ Quinlan, Adriane (2024-04-04). "An Upper East Side Synagogue's New Mansion". Curbed. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  5. ^ Gergely, Julia (2022-06-29). "With help of NYC synagogue, young Ukrainian Jewish couple set to marry in Israel". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  6. ^ Gergely, Julia (2023-11-23). "An Orthodox congregation in Manhattan launches a matchmaking initiative as a response to the Oct. 7 attack in Israel". New York Jewish Week. Retrieved 31 May 2024.