History in Motion: The Many Lives of Washington's First Purpose-Built Synagogue (Webinar)

Photo courtesy of the Capital Jewish Museum.

In 1876, a modest brick house of worship was erected as the first purpose-built synagogue in our nation's capital. In the 145 years since, the building has claimed three addresses, sixteen occupants, and speeds of up to three miles per hour. 

Join us for a journey through the many lives of the historic Adas Israel Synagogue- from a house of worship to a barbershop, to the centerpiece of a new museum coming to the Washington. Jonathan Edelman will bring to light the early history of the District's Jewish community in the 7th St. NW commercial district and the ways in which abandonment and redevelopment of the city brought upon a campaign to save this historic structure.   

This virtual program is free and open to the public. It will also be streamed live to DCPL's Facebook page.

Presenter

Jonathan Edelman, Curatorial Associate, Capital Jewish Museum

Jonathan Edelman (he/him) serves as the Curatorial Associate at the Capital Jewish Museum. In this role, Edelman oversees the CJM collection as well as working with the content team creating the main exhibitions for the new museum. He came to CJM after completing a masters in museum studies at The George Washington University and working for two years in the Film, Oral History, & Recorded Sound division of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. A native of Kansas City, Edelman has called The District home for the past five and a half years. 

About the Capital Jewish Museum 

The new Capital Jewish Museum will inspire visitors to connect, reflect, and act: connect across families and diverse communities, reflect on the relevance of the past to today, and act on behalf of their communities and values.

Thank you to our sponsors!

BKV Group DC • Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS

Clark Construction Group, LLC • Consigli Construction Co., Inc.

FILLAT + Architecture • Quinn Evans Architects

Roadside Development LLC • ZDS Architecture & Interiors