Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore

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Coordinates: 40°48′18″N 73°42′25″W / 40.80500°N 73.70694°W / 40.80500; -73.70694
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Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore (RSNS)
The synagogue in 2021
Religion
AffiliationReconstructionist Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue
Leadership
StatusActive
Location
Location1001 Plandome Road, Plandome, Long Island, New York 11030
CountryUnited States
Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore is located in Long Island
Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore
Location in Long Island
Geographic coordinates40°48′18″N 73°42′25″W / 40.80500°N 73.70694°W / 40.80500; -73.70694
Architecture
FounderRabbi Ira Eisenstein
Date establishedc. 1950s
CompletedOctober 1993
Website
rsns.org

The Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore (also known as RSNS) is a Reconstructionist Jewish synagogue located in the Incorporated Village of Plandome in the Town of North Hempstead, in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States.

History[edit]

The congregation was first founded as the Jewish Reconstructionist Society of New York in the 1950s by a group of socially-concerned and involved Jewish families.[2] One of the key founders of the congregation was Rabbi Ira Eisenstein, who would also serve as its rabbi.[3][1]

The former Highland School in 2020. The synagogue was located in this building between 1977 and the early 1990s.

In the 1970s, the society purchased an old mansion for $137,000 on Glenwood Road in Roslyn Harbor, New York with the intention of using it as a synagogue.[4][5][6] However, officials and residents in Roslyn Harbor refused to approve of the plans, citing issues with zoning, and the congregation ultimately took the matter to court.[7][8]

The lawsuit proved unsuccessful, and in 1977, four nearby residents gave the congregation $30,000 to sell the building for use as nothing other than a residence.[9][10] The mansion was sold, and the congregation then purchased and moved into the Roslyn Union Free School District's former Highland Elementary School in the nearby village of Roslyn Estates that same year.[10][11][12][13][14]

The congregation moved from the former Highland School in Roslyn to its current location in Plandome in October 1993, which is slightly northwest of Roslyn.[14][15]

In 2007, antisemitic graffiti was found on the property.[15][16] The hate incident shocked many congregants, as this was the first time the congregation was targeted at the Plandome location for 15 years at the time.[15][16]

When services for the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were held virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the temple made headlines when cardboard cutouts of congregants filled the seats in the sanctuary.[17][18] The idea, which was first proposed by congregants Marvin and Barbara Schaffer, was inspired by the cardboard cutouts which the New York Mets filled the seats of Citi Field with.[17][18]

Clergy[edit]

The congregation is led by Rabbis Jodie Siff and Lee Friedlander, supported by Rabbi Emeritus, Ira Eisenstein. The cantor is Eric Schulmiller.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Clergy & Professional Staff | Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore". rsns.org. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  2. ^ "History | Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore". rsns.org. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  3. ^ Pace, Eric (2001-07-01). "Rabbi Ira Eisenstein, 94, Dies; Led Reconstructionist Jews". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  4. ^ Unger, Mike (April 30, 1971). "Village Stirred by a Proposed Synagogue". Newsday – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ Levy, Lawrence C. (January 11, 1976). "Proposal for a Synagogue Is Fought in Roslyn Harbor: Antisemitism Not an Issue No Summer Meetings". The New York Times – via ProQuest.
  6. ^ "Synagogue's Case is Rejected". Newsday. January 25, 1972 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ "Synagogue v. Roslyn Harbor". Justia Law. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  8. ^ "In Zoning, Nothing's Sacred". Newsday. May 7, 1971 – via ProQuest.
  9. ^ Harris, Amanda (June 22, 1976). "High Court Backs Zoning Referenda". Newsday – via ProQuest.
  10. ^ a b "The Money Goes Out; Peace, Quiet Come In". Newsday. August 14, 1977 – via ProQuest.
  11. ^ Robinson, Angela (November 25, 1977). "Roslyn Temple Bears Problems With Grace". Newsday – via ProQuest.
  12. ^ Robinson, Angela (January 12, 1977). "Plan to Sell School Gets Mixed Reviews". Newsday – via ProQuest.
  13. ^ Robinson, Angela (February 8, 1977). "Bid for Roslyn School Accepted". Newsday – via ProQuest.
  14. ^ a b "Highlands Elementary School | Profiles | Roslyn Landmark Society". www.roslynlandmarks.org. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  15. ^ a b c WRITER, CARRIE MELAGODAILY NEWS STAFF (2 September 2007). "Swastika & sick graffiti defile Long Island synagogue". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  16. ^ a b Domash, Shelly Feuer (2007-10-07). "Officials Report Rise in Anti-Jewish Crimes". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  17. ^ a b "Plandome Synagogue Uses Mets-Style Fan Cutouts To Fill Seats". Port Washington, NY Patch. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  18. ^ a b "Long Island synagogue inspired by NY Mets, gets cardboard cutouts of congregation for Rosh Hashanah". PIX11. 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2021-05-11.

External links[edit]

Media related to Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore at Wikimedia Commons

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