Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester
| Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester | |
|---|---|
  Location in New York | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Synagogue | |
| Leadership |
|
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 220 South Bedford Road, Chappaqua, Northern Westchester, New York 10514 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 41°09′13″N 73°46′09″W / 41.153593°N 73.769157°W |
| Architecture | |
| Architects |
|
| Type | Synagogue |
| Style | Modernist |
| Established | 1949 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1972 |
| Specifications | |
Interior area | 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) (1972) |
| Materials | Spruce; concrete |
| Website | |
| bethelnw | |
Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue located at 220 South Bedford Road, in Chappaqua, Northern Westchester, New York, in the United States. The synagogue has approximately 700 member families.
Founded in 1949 by 45 families,[1] it is notable for its synagogue building, designed by Louis Kahn. Although Kahn designed other synagogues, this is the only one of his designs that was built.[2]
According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Kahn accepted the commission in 1966, and completed plans for the octagonal sanctuary six years later, conceived as a Modernist memorial to the Eastern European Jewish past, after whose wooden synagogues it was patterned.[3][4] A 23,000-square-foot (2,100 m2) extension of the synagogue, comprising a large social hall, a kitchen, classrooms, a nursery school, a library, a chapel, a lobby, and new bathrooms was completed by Alexander Gorlin Architects in 2015.[5]
Temple Beth El has hosted prominent speakers and guests, including former hostage Omer Shem Tov,[6] newscaster Mordechai "Mike" Wagenheim,[7] progressive civil rights attorney Amanda Berman,[8] and activist Shabbos Kestenbaum.[9] Additionally, Rabbis Jaffe and Londy host a regular podcast, In Such A Time, covering Jewish education, politics, Israel, and current events.[10]
The synagogue runs an active after-school program and mid-sized preschool, housed inside its Early Childhood Center (ECC).
Rabbi Chaim Stern, widely acknowledged as the foremost liturgist of Reform Judaism, led Temple Beth El from 1968-2000.[11]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Who We Are: Our History". Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
- ↑ Gorlin, Alexander. "Addition to and renovation of Louis Kahn's Temple Beth-el". Faith and Form. 47 (2). Retrieved March 19, 2015.
- ↑ Willis, Eric. "Addition to Louis Kahn's Synagogue Draws Criticism". preservationnation.org. National Trust for Historic Preservation. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
- ↑ Hughes, C. J. (August 13, 2010). "Louis Kahn Synagogue Expansion Stirs Controversy". Architectural Record. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ↑ "Temple Beth El / Alexander Gorlin Architects". ArchDaily. December 18, 2021. ISSN 0719-8884. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/templebethelofnorthernwestchester/posts/new-event-next-tuesday-join-us-for-a-special-evening-with-former-hostage-omer-sh/1295360842635371/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "Mike Wagenheim | Personal". Mike Wagenheim. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ↑ https://www.bethelnw.org/ae/israel
- ↑ "Shabbos Kestenbaum, "Why I am Suing Harvard University" - Event - Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester". www.bethelnw.org. Archived from the original on November 19, 2025. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ↑ "In Such A Time Podcast - Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester". www.bethelnw.org. Archived from the original on January 13, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Chaim Stern". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
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