Manhattan Beach Jewish Center, Orthodox synagogue in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, United States.
The Manhattan Beach Jewish Center is a two-story-and-mezzanine Modern Movement synagogue with a limestone façade and granite base, completed in 1952. It has a short tower and a recessed shallow entrance porch flanked by a single unadorned column on each side. A seven-story community center adjoins it.
Founded in 1922 as Congregation B'nai Israel of Manhattan Beach, the congregation adopted the name Manhattan Beach Jewish Center soon after but only formally changed it in 1962. The synagogue building at 60 West End Avenue was completed in 1952, designed by Jacob W. Sherman in the Bauhaus style. A seven-story community center was added ten years later, and the complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
The center serves as a gathering place for the Orthodox Jewish community, where visitors can observe traditional religious practices and seasonal celebrations throughout the year. The building reflects the values and daily rhythms of this faith community.
The center is located on West End Avenue in a residential neighborhood, making it easy to explore on foot and discover the surrounding area. Visitors should be aware that this is an active place of worship and should check specific visiting guidelines and hours beforehand.
During Superstorm Sandy, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz reported seeing 350,000 US gallons (1,300,000 litres) of water and oil pumped from the basement. Two years later the center was still recovering. The synagogue and community center were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015, one of only two New York City properties nominated by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo.
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