Photo Credit: Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun

A 110-year-old synagogue was left devastated and charred over five years ago, in July of 2011. The Upper East Side Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun Synagogue suffered major damages; despite the community's thoughts on tearing it down and starting anew, the gorgeous structure has since been restored to its former glory.

The reconstruction project was recognized by Building Design + Construction as a Gold Award Winner among their 2016 Reconstruction Awards as a Gold Award Winner among their 2016 Reconstruction Awards, a program which honors projects that stand out as the best in renovation, preservation and adaptive reuse work. The Kehilath Jeshurun Synagogue Building Team worked tirelessly to develop restoration solutions in order to preserve the original volume of the space, while simultaneously managing to expand the programming of an affiliated school that escaped damage from the fire. The Building Team chose to rebuild the synagogue with much respect and detail ascribed to the original structure’s craftsmanship.

Another chief goal of the reconstruction was to make the structure such that Ramaz, the aforementioned school-affiliate, would work better alongside the space. Builders implemented a comprehensive reorganization of programming, including an 8,000 square foot education and fitness wing that was constructed above the synagogue in order to encourage this synergy between groups. Additionally, a central entry and single security point were added to better assist both parts of the whole. An expanded lobby, enlarged cafeteria, commercial kitchen, a new chapel and scholar’s library, and an expanded rooftop play terrace were also added upon erection.

While a great deal of the synagogue’s limestone neoclassical-style façade survived the fire, the reconstruction allowed for some replication of historic architectural elements, all the while building up to code-requirements. Among the new integrations were HVAC and emergency lighting systems with existing finishes, as well as four large Star of David medallions constructed into the ceiling which function as return air grilles.

Despite the blaze, the sanctuary of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun synagogue, its users, and design team successfully returned the space to its former splendor, and then some.

Ramaz Open House Video 2016 from Ramaz School on Vimeo.