Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington

About

The historic 1876 synagogue is the oldest synagogue building in the nation's capital and has been the Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum since 1975.

Story

Adas Israel Congregation’s first synagogue, originally located at Sixth & G Streets, NW, was completed in 1876. The congregation worshipped at the building until they outgrew it in 1908, when a larger synagogue structure was completed a few blocks away. The building was then sold and was used for a variety of disparate purposes, including a succession of churches, a bicycle shop, a barber shop, and a pork barbeque carryout restaurant. Unprecedented partnership between federal government, city government, the Jewish Historical Society, and the local Jewish community saved the building from demolition in the late 1960s. It was moved three blocks down G Street, to Third and G Streets, NW, on December 18, 1969.

The Society has stewarded this historic building since then. The historic synagogue now is used for children’s programs, lectures, musical performances, commemorative ceremonies, and community events, in addition to being open for tours.

Tours are offered by advance appointment, Tuesday - Friday, at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm.