|
Sixth & I Timeline |
|
1852 |
First Hebrew Congregation Founded.
Washington Hebrew Congregation is formed in the District of
Columbia by twenty-one Jews of German extraction. |
|
1869 |
Adas
Israel Established.
In a reaction against Reform ritual,
thirty-eight members resign from Washington Hebrew and
establish the Adas Israel Hebrew Congregation
to return to more traditional Jewish practices. |
|
1876 |
First
Adas
Israel Synagogue Dedicated.
President Ulysses S. Grant heads a list of dignitaries
attending dedication of the congregation's first sanctuary at the corner
of Sixth and G Streets, N.W. |
|
1899 |
New Synagogue Plan Adopted.
Because they have outgrown
the premises, Adas Israel members agree at a special meeting to build a
new synagogue. |
|
1905 |
 Lot
Purchased.
The
congregation finds a buyer for the synagogue property at
Sixth and G Streets, N.W. and purchases a new
lot at the
corner of Sixth & I. |
|
1906 |
 Construction Begins.
Construction
begins on the synagogue. Architect Louis Levi and builder
Arthur Cowsill
 demonstrate reinforced concrete foundation and
lay the
cornerstone in the presence of
government officials, local clergy, officers
of Adas Israel and members of its building committee. |
|
1908 |
 Sixth & I Building Dedicated.
“With
impressive services and addresses by prominent Hebrew
divines,” the Washington Herald noted, the
synagogue was
dedicated on January 5. Total cost of the edifice: $90,000.
|
|
1945 |
New Site Acquired. To accommodate its growing membership, which had relocated uptown, the congregation
acquires a triangular piece of land at Connecticut Avenue,
Porter and Quebec Streets for a new sanctuary. |
|
1951 |
Turner Memorial Acquires Building. The building is sold to Turner Memorial A.M.E.
Church, which renovates the interior so it will conform to African Methodist Episcopal doctrine. Adas
Israel’s new Quebec Street synagogue is dedicated. |
|
1979 |
 Activity Center Dedicated.
Turner Memorial dedicates a four-story,
multipurpose
center on an adjacent property to provide additional
accommodations for church- and community-related activities. |
|
2002 |
Building is “Re-acquired.” Turner Memorial announces
plans to move to Hyattsville, Maryland and puts the
building up for sale. Jewish Historical
Society executive director Laura Cohen Apelbaum launches
effort to reacquire the building for use by the Jewish
community. Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin and local real estate
developers Shelton Zuckerman and Douglas Jemal
purchase the
building and pledge to turn it into
a Jewish community facility. DC architects Shalom Baranes
and Associates volunteer to oversee restoration of the building to
its original state. |
|
2004 |
Rededication.
A ceremony marking the building's
rededication
for use by the Jewish community as the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
is held on April 22. |
|
2005 |
 Presidential
Visit.
President George W. Bush
visits the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on September 14 before
delivering remarks at the National Dinner Celebrating 350 Years
of Jewish Life in America. |
