Jewish life is alive and well, and once again back in its historic place at the heart of the nation’s capital.

Thanks to Abe Pollin, Shelton Zuckerman and Douglas Jemal, local real estate developers, the historic former Adas Israel Synagogue at Sixth & I Streets, which housed Turner Memorial Church for more than 50 years, is again a center of Jewish learning and spiritual activities. But the story nearly didn’t have such a happy ending.

The area that comprises today’s Chinatown was once the vibrant center of Jewish life in Washington, but this began to change in mid-century. When Adas Israel’s congregants began moving out of downtown, the synagogue followed them up Connecticut Avenue, where it built its current sanctuary at Porter Street. Fifty years later, Turner Memorial found itself faced with a similar problem. Few of its parishioners still lived in the neighborhood, and most were driving to church on Sunday. So in 2002, it put the building up for sale and announced its relocation to Hyattsville, Maryland. 

What do you do with a spacious, 95 year-old structure with exquisite stained glass windows, seating for nearly 1,000 and soaring cathedral ceilings, zoned for residential, retail, entertainment or educational use? The realtor advertised the property as “suitable for a nightclub.” And indeed, one buyer expressed interest in turning it into just that, going so far as to negotiate for a permit with DC authorities.

What is “suitable” is in the eye of the beholder. And Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington executive director Laura Cohen Apelbaum, whose father's bar mitzvah took place in the building, began to appeal to the Jewish community to save the structure. It wasn’t hard to persuade Zuckerman, who contacted Pollin, who in turn brought in Jemal. Together they purchased the property.

Washington architects Shalom Baranes and Associates donated their services in helping with renovation and restoration. And the new Sixth & I Historic Synagogue re-opened its doors in late Fall, 2003, to offer educational, cultural and inspirational programs and help to preserve part of the heritage of Jewish Washington.