Congregation Shearith Israel
Church Oldest Jewish congregation in the United States
New York City’s Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, founded in 1654 and the city’s oldest Jewish congregation; visitors attend services, tour the historic synagogue and study its role in American Jewish history.
Congregation Shearith Israel is a Jewish congregation in New York City founded in 1654 and widely recognised as the oldest Jewish congregation in the United States. It follows the Spanish and Portuguese (Sephardic) rite.
The synagogue functions as an active house of worship and community centre with regular services, lifecycle ceremonies and institutional collections related to its long history. The congregation also preserves historical records and liturgical manuscripts reflecting nearly four centuries of continuous activity.
The congregation was established by Jewish settlers in New Amsterdam in 1654 and has occupied several buildings as the city grew and the community moved uptown. Over time it has retained its Sephardic customs while adapting to changing American Jewish life.
The congregation is located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, close to Central Park and within New York City’s cultural and historic core.
- Founded: Founded in 1654, making it the oldest Jewish congregation in what is now the United States.
- Rite: Maintains the Spanish and Portuguese (Sephardic) liturgical tradition and an active synagogue community.
How to Get to Congregation Shearith Israel #
Located at 5 West 70th Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Congregation Shearith Israel is a short walk from Lincoln Center and just across from Central Park’s western edge. The nearest subway stations are 72nd Street on the 1/2/3 line (west side) or the 66th-Lincoln Center stop for the A/B/C trains; multiple bus routes run along Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.
Driving is possible but parking is limited; public transit is the recommended way to reach the site.
Tips for Visiting Congregation Shearith Israel #
- Attend a Shabbat service or a weekday lecture to observe the congregation's longtime rituals and hear from the synagogue's historians.
- Respect dress codes (kippah for men, modest attire); the synagogue is an active community center, not a museum.
- Check scheduling in advance: some guided tours are possible but most access occurs around services and events.
Best Time to Visit Congregation Shearith Israel #
Indoor, functioning congregation-visit during service hours or for scheduled cultural events; check the synagogue calendar before planning.
Weather & Climate near Congregation Shearith Israel #
Congregation Shearith Israel's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1215 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (114 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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