The Actors' Temple, officially named Congregation Ezrath Israel, is a synagogue founded in 1917 in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Located at 339 West 47th Street since 1923, the temple was originally dubbed "The West Side Hebrew Relief Association,"[2] and it was the synagogue of choice for the entertainment industry. Many vaudeville, musical theater, television, and nightclub performers attended services there, including Sophie Tucker, Shelley Winters, Milton Berle, Al Jolson, Jack Benny, Joe E. Lewis, Edward G. Robinson, as well as several of the Three Stooges.[3]

The temple declined after World War II as actors moved to California and the neighborhood changed, going from 300 members to approximately 30 in 2009.[3] In 2005, in order to bring in additional income, the temple started renting out dance rehearsal space to New Dance Group as well as temporarily transforming into a theatre for plays.[4] However, even with this additional income, the $120,000 annual operating costs used up the $2 million endowment by 2009.[3] Despite these challenges, the temple continues to operate. In fact, the temple had a large fund raising program in 2011. In addition the congregation has grown to 120 dues paying members.[5]

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. 
  2. ^ Actors Temple History
  3. ^ a b c Dworhin, Caroline H. (April 17, 2009). "Hells Kitchen: Plot Twist at the Actors’ Temple". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-04-19. 
  4. ^ Robertson, Campbell (November 29, 2006). "Off Broadway and Nearer to God: It’s Curtain Time at a Synagogue". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-04-19. 
  5. ^ www.nytimes.com

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