| Congregation Talmud Torah Adereth El | |
|---|---|
 Congregation Talmud Torah Adereth El | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership |
|
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 133–135 East 29th Street,Rose Hill,Manhattan,New York City,New York |
| Country | United States |
  Location inLower Manhattan | |
| Coordinates | 40°44′36″N73°58′53″W / 40.7432°N 73.9814°W /40.7432; -73.9814 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Gustave Iser(1945) |
| Established | 1857(as a congregation) |
| Completed |
|
| Website | |
| aderethel | |
Congregation Talmud Torah Adereth El, abbreviated asAdereth El, is anOrthodoxJewishsynagogue located on East 29th Street betweenThird andLexington Avenues in theRose Hill neighborhood ofManhattan,New York City,New York, United States.
Founded in 1857, it claims to be theoldest synagogue in its original location with continuous services at the same location.[1]
The Adereth El synagogue was founded byGermanJewish immigrants in the fall of 1857. The synagogue opened a building on its current site on 29th Street in 1863, having purchased the lot for $5,000.[2] The site was expanded in 1920 with the purchase of the three-story building at 133 East 29th Street.[3] The present building, is the result of a 1945 renovation by architect Gustave Iser, followed by a 1994 renovation that "left little of thefaçade except the Star of David".[4]
Before he died in June 2013 at 100 years of age, Rabbi Sidney Kleiman was both the longest-serving and oldest active congregational rabbi in the United States. Rabbi Kleiman served as the congregation's rabbi since 1939 until 1996, when Rabbi Gideon Shloush joined the synagogue and Rabbi Kleiman became rabbi emeritus.[5]
After serving for a year in a part-time role, the currentrabbi, since July 2021, is Rabbi Shua Mermelstein.
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Adereth El's current membership reflects the diversity of its neighborhood,Murray Hill. During the work week, many Jewish businessmen with nearby offices pray at the synagogue. Of note, many Adereth El members are students and faculty at the nearbyNew York University (NYU) medical center. The synagogue's proximity to the hospital also brings in many hospital patients’ visitors as guests at Adereth El services. In fact, the synagogue typically has multiple weekly baby-naming ceremonies due to the large number oflabor and delivery visitors. Additionally, due to Adereth El's location nearYeshiva University’sStern College for Women, many Stern students regularly attend the synagogue's services.
In 2007, the congregation marked its 150th anniversary with a series of celebrations. A lecture series highlighted the history of Jews in New York City. A gala dinner was held at the Battery Gardens Restaurant inBattery Park in March.
The prospect of beginning his career with Rabbi Kleiman at what synagogue officials say is the oldest continually used synagogue building in New York -- it was dedicated in 1864 -- was exciting and daunting, Rabbi Shloush said.
