Sunrise Jewish Center

Could a synagogue have a pool? Here at the Sunrise Jewish Center, that question isn’t so outlandish. The Sunrise Jewish Center stands as a testament to a community’s desire for a place that nurtured not just their spiritual needs, but their social and recreational ones as well. The Jewish Center, affectionately nicknamed “The first Shul with a Pool,” opened its doors in 1918. This grand Neo-Classical structure on West 86th Street wasn’t just a house of worship. It was envisioned as a hub for the burgeoning Jewish community on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The building housed social halls, classrooms, auditoriums, and offices. It even offered recreational facilities, including that famous pool. The synagogue’s founders, Joseph H. Cohen and William Fischman, sought to create a traditional Orthodox experience. Their first rabbi, Mordecai Kaplan, proved a controversial choice. His reform-oriented views clashed with the congregation’s traditionalism, leading to his departure in 1921. The Jewish Center has been shaped by a series of influential rabbis. Rabbi Dr. Leo Jung, a key figure in the American Orthodox movement, became the next spiritual leader. He was followed by Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, who later became president of Yeshiva University. Rabbi Isaac Bernstein, an Irish scholar, then led the congregation. Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter served from 1981 to 2000. Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, who later became president of Yeshiva University, also served the Jewish Center. Today, the legacy of the Sunrise Jewish Center continues to thrive. This building has witnessed countless prayers, celebrations, and community gatherings. It embodies the spirit of a community that sought to weave together faith, culture, and everyday life.