Central Synagogue (Manhattan)
Central Synagogue is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue at 652 Lexington Avenue, at the corner of 55th Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. The current congregation was formed in 1898 through the merger of two 19th-century synagogues: Shaar Hashomayim and Ahawath Chesed. The synagogue building was constructed from 1870 to 1872 for Ahawath Chesed. As of 2014, Angela Buchdahl is Central's senior rabbi.
The synagogue on Lexington Avenue, in 2023
The synagogue building, seen from 55th Street
Moorish Revival detail, south tower of Central Synagogue (2011)
Detail of the interior
Lexington Avenue, often colloquially abbreviated as "Lex", is an avenue on the East Side of Manhattan in New York City. The avenue carries southbound one-way traffic from East 131st Street to Gramercy Park at East 21st Street. Along its 5.5-mile (8.9-kilometer), 110-block route, Lexington Avenue runs through Harlem, Carnegie Hill, the Upper East Side, Midtown, and Murray Hill to a point of origin that is centered on Gramercy Park. South of Gramercy Park, the axis continues as Irving Place from 20th Street to East 14th Street.
Lexington Avenue seen from the top of the Chrysler Building
Lexington Avenue seen from 50th Street with the Chrysler Building in the background
Pete's Tavern