Riverdale Temple

Riverdale Temple
Religion
AffiliationReform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusSynagogue
Leadership
  • Rabbi Thomas Gardner
  • Rabbi Judith S. Lewis (Emerita)
  • Rabbi Stephen D. Franklin (Emeritus)
StatusActive
Location
Location4545 Independence Avenue, Riverdale, the Bronx, New York City, New York 10471
CountryUnited States
Geographic coordinates40°53′31″N 73°54′47″W / 40.89194°N 73.91306°W / 40.89194; -73.91306
Architecture
TypeSynagogue
Date established1947 (as a congregation)
Website
riverdaletemple.org

The Riverdale Temple is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue located at 4545 Independence Avenue, in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, New York City, New York, United States.[1] The congregation was founded in 1947.[2]

In 2009, the rabbi was Judith S. Lewis.[1] In July 2015, Rabbi Lewis retired and was succeeded by Rabbi Thomas Gardner.

Terrorism plot

Main article: 2009 Bronx terrorism plot

In 2009, a group of four American Muslims planned to blow up the temple.[3] After a six-week trial, the four were convicted on conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles. In 2011, the men were sentenced in the District Court to 25 years in prison each. On appeal to the Federal Court, their sentences were upheld. In July 2023, a judge ordered compassionate release for three of the four men, with time served, being eleven years. The judge declared their 25-year sentences ‘unduly harsh and unjust’.[4][5]

On May 30, 2009, New York Governor David Paterson announced he would give the Riverdale Jewish Center and the Riverdale Temple $25,000 each to improve their security. The money came from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and primarily involved the installation of alarms and surveillance equipment.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Freedman, Samuel G. (May 30, 2009). "Two Rabbis Find They're Separated Only by Doctrine". The New York Times.
  2. ^ Olitzky, Kerry M.; Raphael, Marc Lee (June 30, 1996). The American Synagogue: A Historical Dictionary and Sourcebook. Greenwood Press. p. 224.
  3. ^ Hernandez, Javier C.; Chan, Sewell (May 21, 2009). "N.Y. Bomb Plot Suspects Acted Alone, Police Say". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Larkin, Gary (August 6, 2023). "Three of the 'Newburgh Four' who plotted to blow up Riverdale temples have been released". The Riverdale Press. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  5. ^ Reilly, Patrick (July 28, 2023). "3 of 'Newburgh Four' convicted in 2009 New York synagogue bombing plot to be released, judge rules while blaming FBI". New York Post. New York, N.Y.
  6. ^ "Targeted Bronx synagogues to get security funds". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. June 2, 2009. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012.