“A temple for stars” you might whisper. Welcome to Congregation Ezrath Israel. Better known as The Actors’ Temple this isn’t just any synagogue. It’s a place where Broadway legends once prayed.
Founded in 1917 as the West Side Hebrew Relief Association it served the local shopkeepers. But in the 1920s something extraordinary happened. Rabbi Bernard Birstein arrived. He welcomed actors. Suddenly this became the house of worship for the entertainment industry.
Imagine Al Jolson’s booming voice filling this very space. Picture Milton Berle and Jack Benny. Even two of the Three Stooges Moe and Curly were members. Sophie Tucker Shelley Winters and Edward G Robinson. This building has echoed with the laughter and prayers of some of the greatest entertainers of all time.
The Actors’ Temple thrived. Annual benefits drew huge crowds. Stars of stage screen and radio performed to raise funds. Membership swelled to 1000. But after World War II things changed. Actors moved to California. The neighborhood shifted. Membership dwindled.
Today Congregation Ezrath Israel is a smaller community. But it still thrives. It offers a welcoming space for all. It maintains its rich history. The Actors’ Temple continues to inspire. It carries on its legacy of spirituality creativity and community. This building still whispers the stories of its legendary past. It is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the enduring magic of show business.