New York City’s Temple Emanu-El, the first Reform congregation in the city, is celebrating its 180th anniversary with a new exhibition, Emanu-El at 180, at the Herbert and Eileen Bernard Museum of Judaica.

The exhibit highlights both the synagogue’s history and the role of Jews in New York’s Gilded Age. Artifacts include a portrait of philanthropist Frieda Schiff Warburg, a machzor (High Holiday prayer book) from the congregation’s first rabbi, and the first Jewish hymnal printed in the U.S. One of the most striking objects is a watch fob recovered from the wreck of the Titanic, once belonging to Isidor Straus, a longtime member.

The second part of the exhibit explores the wealthiest Jewish families of the late 19th century. A large family-business tree shows how “The 100,” Jewish high-society families, built and preserved influence. Visitors can also see an antisemitic cartoon targeting banker Joseph Seligman, considered one of the earliest widely reported cases of antisemitism in America.

Founded in 1845, Temple Emanu-El has grown into one of the largest and most influential congregations in the world, with more than 2,500 member families. Today, it continues to serve as both a spiritual home and a cultural institution, housing historic Judaica and hosting programs at the Streicker Center.

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Read the full article from the original source: JTA – Full Article
Source: JTA, September 2025