Temple Emanu-El of New York is a synagogue at 1 East 65th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It's located at the northeast corner with Fifth Avenue. This temple was built in 1928-1930 for the Reform Jewish Congregation Emanu-El of New York. The church seats 2,500 worshippers and is one of the largest synagogues in the world. I believe it is the largest in the United States. There's a wealth of information about this church on the internet if you're interested. I can attest to the welcoming reception visitors receive when you visit. It's always open for everyone. I'll never forget when this synagogue had the service for Joan Rivers funeral. I watched from across the street. If you look up Congregation Emanu-El of New York there's a list of the notable members and funerals. I'm recommending. read more

Temple Emanu-El - 7/10/16 - Synagogues Near Me - New York, New York

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WAITED for 1 hour on 1/9/26 for the Manue-EL service hosted by Christ Church! My colleague arrived early (around 6:30) even though we had reserved, and their name wasn't on the list. Then they were told to go to a different service area--which was locked. EVEN BEFORE the event started, the guard said it was already "full" and couldn't find our names on the list. Come 7:15pm, after waiting another 30 minutes, I asked to speak with the sponsor or event staff, but no one came down. The guard even went upstairs in the elevator to check and returned saying the event was full (which I honestly doubt), and guard said they mentioned they'd "fix the site next time." THIS IS VERY MISLEADING. Your RSVP form was still open--I was waiting at the security entrance only to be told it was full because you didn't have proper staff present! Completely wasted my evening. The whole situation was disrespectful and poorly managed. Your RSVP form clearly states "ALL Welcome," and it remained open at 6pm (so it couldn't have been full), plus my colleague had arrived early. WE ARE NOT COMING BACK. I do NOT recommend this event or any future services hosted by Christ Church NYC / online or Emanu-EL. I'm sharing this review so others are aware! read more

Amazing community! I recommend to all interested. Multicultural, seniors, kids, great events. A wonderful experience when you join.

I'm a newer member and joined just a few years ago when my children were little so they could attend religious school. I was looking for somewhere to help me build a great foundation in Jewish tradition for them and have a community for our family. It has been a wonderful experience. I adore all the Rabbi's, the Cantor and religious school staff is hard working and dedicated to our kids. The facilities are top notch and I feel safe every time we enter the gorgeous buildings. They offer so many programs and additional resources to members (and sometimes non-members) like gatherings, groups, trips, a library, a museum and Streicker Center hosts many interesting talks. If you're looking for a reform synagogue look no further - they welcome everyone with open arms. read more

Requiring people to be boosted after Covid has been done for quite some time is extreme overkill.

The Temple is open to the public for free from 10 am until 4:30 pm Sunday through Thursday (except on Jewish holidays) for self-guided tours of the sanctuary. There is also a small museum that features historical objects and art installations relating to Judaism. We stopped by during the afternoon last week. You go to the side entrance (1 East 65th), get buzzed in, and tell them you want to tour the sanctuary. Since it's self-guided, I highly suggest you download the self-guide brochure available on their website so that you can read about the architecture as you're inside the sanctuary. When we went to visit, we were completely alone in there. And it's truly stunning. First of all, the sanctuary is quite large and that in and of itself is impressive. It's 100 feet wide, 175 feet long, and 103 feet high. It seats 2,500 people. The hand-painted and gilded plaster ceiling is stunning (and my picture is too dark to do it justice). The sanctuary has more than 60 stained glass windows. There is also a beautiful glass and marble mosaic arch that frames the bimah. It's a stunning synagogue and well worth a visit if you're in the area. read more

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Rabbi Davidson is really superb--and the building (and music) are beautiful. It's Reform, but open to all.

I am first to review and it is 2/4/13. Temple Emanu-El of New York was the first Reform Jewish congregation in New York City and, because of it's size and prominence, has served as a flagship congregation in the Reform branch of Judaism since its founding in 1845. I am writing this review now because Mayor Ed Koch choose Temple Emanu-El as the place where his funeral service would be. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/nyregion/celebrating-ed-koch-a-civic-savior-of-new-york.html Temple Emanu-El has an internet radio show http://www.emanuelnyc.org/simple.php/wor_broadcast But it used to be on the radio. But The station no longer exists to my knowledge. Notable members from Wikipedia. Adolph Ochs Solomon Loeb Oscar S. Straus Louis Marshall Felix M. Warburg Irving Lehman Lewis L. Strauss Herbert H. Lehman Eliot Spitzer Alan "Ace" Greenberg Joan Rivers Leon Black Michael Bloomberg Jeff Zucker you can take a self guided tour. Self-guided tours Sun-Thurs 10am-4:30pm. Services Sun-Thurs 5:30pm; Fri 5:15pm; Sat 10:30am Mayor Koch's funeral was open to the public. That is how he wanted it. He was the peoples mayor. He was always in the streets of the city asking people how he was doing and talking to people about their concerns. He was NYC's most loved mayor. That is indisputable. http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Ed-Koch-Dies-Mayor-Comment-Legacy-Heart-Failure-189350001.html Many dignitaries spoke at his funeral former president Bill Clinton being the most notable. http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news&id=8976187 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/nyregion/celebrating-ed-koch-a-civic-savior-of-new-york.html If you did not live in NYC during the time he was the mayor he can't be explained to anyone except for that he was the quintessential New Yorker. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/02/04/former-nyc-mayor-ed-koch-to-be-laid-to-rest/Also he made the city fun. The city would not be what it is today if it were not for him. When I heard he died I cried. And I prayed for him when he was sick. http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/02/ex-mayor-ed-koch-dies.html Former president Bill Clinton flew home from Japan for the funeral service. He gave an amazing speech! I hope it becomes available for everyone to hear later. Many of President Clinton's policy's were shaped by mayor Ed Koch which I had no idea about until today. I have always seen Temple Emanu-El in the news glad I was able to finally go! Much of the service was in Hebrew. I love the Hebrew language and studied it a little not to speak it fluently but I understand the words. The service was uplifting just like him. It ended with a high note of playing New York New York. That is him, New York New York. Also a standing ovation when his casket was carried out. It is a sad day for New York. The time went too fast. I used to watch him on New York 1. Temple Emanu-El even has recipes at http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/emanu_el_brisket.html Temple Emanu-El has a nursery school-http://www.emanuelnyc.org/simple.php/ed_early_glance It has a religious school as well. http://www.emanuelnyc.org/simple.php/ed_relig Temple Emanu-El is one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. This is about the history of the temple. http://www.nycago.org/organs/nyc/html/EmanuEl.html Temple Emanu-El has a page for Hurricane Sandy relief.http://www.templeemanueltucson.org/component/content/article/185-tee/learning/rabbis-corner/articles/576-hurricane-sandy-relief This is from the page Medieval New York by Fordham University. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/medny/fernandez.html Temple Emanu-El is even listed at the web site for the Museum of the city of New York. http://mcnyblog.org/2011/10/11/temple-emanu-el/ I will end on a light note. Temple Emanu-El appeared in the children's movie Madagascar. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/26/nyregion/26temple.html read more

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For what its worth, this is one of New York's most beautiful temples. I photographed a wedding ceremony here a couple weeks ago and the space is so incredibly breathtaking. There were so many rules to where I could take pictures, but I didn't mind because just being able to be there to photograph its entirety made it worth all the rules they needed to have. I didn't even want to speak because I felt like it would echo across the whole place. I know Mayor Koch wanted to have his funeral service here because it symbolizes beauty and a final resting place for people to say their goodbyes. read more

NYC landmark with a rich history of civic engagement & dialogue. Excellent Jewish education and community programs. Senior Rabbi Davidson continues the tradition with his fresh perspective on Torah Study & Judaism. read more

Temple Emanu-El - Temple Emanu-El - Synagogues Near Me - New York, New York

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I can't say enough good things about Temple Emanu-El. It is an amazing place for so many reasons. The majesty and beauty of the sanctuary (with its jewel-like stained glass windows, soaring rafters and exquisitely-mosaiced bimah) is awe-inspiring in and of itself. Add to that a dynamic clergy delivering inspiring and relevant sermons, a warm and welcome atmosphere (regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey) and amazing music and you have all the elements you need to seek the Divine. Its tri-faith initiatives and numerous learning opportunities combine to provide an atmosphere that aspires to the highest common denominator at all times. read more

I was a member in the past, but after some very unethical behavior I got out of there. When my father died, I went to speak with a Rabbi for some comfort. Instead, the Rabbi spent most of our time trying to arrange a marriage for me with a man who sent a letter requesting a match! I was shocked and later spoke to the director about my concerns for this very strange meeting while I was in mourning. He said he'd look into it and get back to me. When I finally followed up with him, he defensively said he wasn't going to do anything about it. No explanation, no apology, nothing. The Rabbi appeared angry when he saw me, so apparently he was told that I reported the meeting. But clearly, they just wanted it dropped. A couple of years later, the cantor was arrested for years of sexual abuse of his very young nephew. The temple admitted that the cantor told a rabbi what he had been doing but the board decided not to report it or to suspend the cantor pending further investigation. Instead it was to be kept quiet. The nephew eventually came forward and the cantor was arrested. Horrible! read more

Soulless. Uninspiring. A Bar Mitzvah service I attended here years ago was different from all others I have seen -- and not in a good way. This is a synagogue befitting the Upper East Side (as Kramer characterized it on the show "Seinfeld"). read more

This is a gorgeous synagogue. Regardless of your religion, stop by to take in the beautiful architecture. I would check the website first because their open public hours do change. A family member of mine was on the board in the late 1800's, so I felt compelled to stop in and see the synagogue, though I am not Jewish. Ornate, marble on the outside and even more beautiful on the inside, take a look. read more