| Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore (RSNS) | |
|---|---|
 The Reconstructionist Synagogue in 2021 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reconstructionist Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership |
|
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 1001Plandome Road,Plandome,Long Island,New York 11030 |
| Country | United States |
  Location inLong Island | |
| Coordinates | 40°48′18″N73°42′25″W / 40.80500°N 73.70694°W /40.80500; -73.70694 |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | RabbiIra Eisenstein |
| Established | c. 1950s |
| Completed | October 1993 |
| Website | |
| rsns | |
TheReconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore (also known asRSNS) is aReconstructionistJewishsynagogue located in theIncorporated Village of Plandome in theTown of North Hempstead, inNassau County, on theNorth Shore ofLong Island, inNew York, United States.
The congregation was first founded as the Jewish Reconstructionist Society of New York in the 1950s by a group of socially-concerned and involved Jewish families.[2] One of the key founders of the congregation wasRabbi Ira Eisenstein, who would also serve as its rabbi.[3][1]
In the 1970s, the society purchased an old mansion for $137,000 on Glenwood Road inRoslyn Harbor, New York with the intention of using it as a synagogue.[4][5][6] However, officials and residents in Roslyn Harbor refused to approve of the plans, citing issues with zoning, and the congregation ultimately took the matter to court.[7][8]
The lawsuit proved unsuccessful, and in 1977, four nearby residents gave the congregation $30,000 to sell the building for use as nothing other than a residence.[9][10] The mansion was sold, and the congregation then purchased and moved into theRoslyn Union Free School District's former Highland Elementary School in the nearby village ofRoslyn Estates that same year.[10][11][12][13][14]
The congregation moved from the former Highland School in Roslyn to its current location in Plandome in October 1993, which is slightly northwest of Roslyn.[14][15]
In 2007, antisemitic graffiti was found on the property.[15][16] The hate incident shocked many congregants, as this was the first time the congregation was targeted at the Plandome location for 15 years at the time.[15][16]
When services for theRosh Hashanah andYom Kippur were held virtually in 2020 due to theCOVID-19 Pandemic, the temple made headlines when cardboard cutouts of congregants filled the seats in the sanctuary.[17][18] The idea, which was first proposed by congregants Marvin and Barbara Schaffer, was inspired by the cardboard cutouts which theNew York Mets filled the seats ofCiti Field with.[17][18]
As of July 2025, the congregation is led by Rabbis Jodie Siff and Lee Friedlander, supported by the late Ira Eisenstein – the synagogue's Rabbi Emeritus. Thecantor is Eric Schulmiller.[1]
Media related toReconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore at Wikimedia Commons
