Temple Emanu-El, Moorish Revival synagogue on Fifth Avenue, New York City, United States
Temple Emanu-El is a Moorish Revival synagogue on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City. Built from limestone and sandstone, the building features two towers, large arched windows, and geometric ornamental details across its facade.
The congregation of Temple Emanu-El was founded in 1845 in Lower Manhattan, making it one of the earliest Reform Jewish congregations in the United States. It moved several times as the community grew, eventually settling at its current Fifth Avenue location in 1929.
Temple Emanu-El is an active Reform Jewish congregation, and services are held regularly in the main sanctuary. The Reform movement, which began in Germany in the 19th century, reshaped how many Jewish communities in the United States practice their faith.
The building sits on Fifth Avenue and is easy to reach on foot from several subway stops in Midtown Manhattan. Inside, the Bernard Museum of Judaica displays ceremonial objects and is open to visitors alongside the main sanctuary.
To build the current structure in 1929, three older mansions were demolished on the site, including the former Astor family home. The main sanctuary ceiling rises to nearly 100 feet (30 meters), giving the interior the scale of a cathedral rather than a traditional synagogue.
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