Think of a time when this street was Willett Street. Now it is Bialystoker Place. We are standing before the Bialystoker Synagogue. It stands as a testament to history and faith.
The Bialystoker Synagogue started as the Willett Street Methodist Episcopal Church. It was built in 1826. Look at the Federal-style architecture. You would never guess it was not always a synagogue.
In 1905, a congregation of Polish immigrants purchased the building. They were from Bialystok. They formed Chevra Anshei Chesed of Bialystok in 1865. The congregation needed a new home. This building became the Bialystoker Synagogue.
Notice the building material. It is Manhattan schist. The stone came from a quarry on nearby Pitt Street. This makes it one of only four fieldstone buildings from the Federal period. The Bialystoker Synagogue is also the oldest synagogue building in New York City.
Inside, there are many hidden stories. It is said that the Bialystoker Synagogue was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Runaway slaves found sanctuary in the attic. A hidden door in the women’s gallery leads to a ladder. This goes up to the attic. While there are no written records of this, it is part of the synagogue’s oral history.
Take note of the Torah Ark. It was carved in Bialystok. Then it was shipped to New York. During a renovation in 1988, it was highlighted in 18-karat gold. The stained glass windows were also recently restored.
Also, note that the Bialystoker Synagogue does not face east. Synagogues traditionally face east. The wall is painted with scenes of Jerusalem. This creates a symbolic facing of the East.
During the Great Depression, the congregation decided to beautify the sanctuary. They wanted to provide hope. The WPA-era lobster mural dates from this time. Some say the painter did not know the difference between a lobster and a crab. Astrological symbols are also prominent in the decoration.
The street was renamed Bialystoker Place. This honors the synagogue. The Bialystoker Synagogue stands as a reminder of the Lower East Side’s immigrant past. It is a place of worship and a landmark. The Bialystoker Synagogue is a treasure.