Collection of six paintings by Ben(jamin) Ganz (1896-1995) of synagogues located throughout the New York City area.

1) “Beth Hamedrash HaGodol Congregation. 610 West 175th Street. 1932.” This Washington Heights Orthodox synagogue was founded in 1916 and moved into its 175th Street location in 1921. Today the building contains a community center. 2) “892 Faile Street Bronx Synagogue. 1934.” When Ganz produced this image there were three synagogues on Faile Street, all are churches today. It is not clear which building is the one illustrated. 3) “Synagogue 203 Henry St. NYC 1935.” This Lower East Side synagogue, which was initially named Anshei Bobruisk was established at the beginning of the 20th century by American immigrants from Bobruysk, Belarus. In 1910, Jews from Makow Mazowiecki, Poland, received ownership of the building and changed the name to (Anshei) Makover of Polen. Over time the building was taken over by other Jewish concerns, including the “Kosher Butcher Retailers’ Independent Association” and the Rabbi Jacob Joseph Yeshiva. Eventually the building was torn down and a new development stands in its place. 4) “Synagogue Stebbens Ave. 1937.” Now known as Rev John A. Polite Street, it is unclear which synagogue Ganz has reproduced here, possibly the Sinai Reform Congregation (founded in 1911), now a Baptist church. 5) “Inwood Hebrew Congregation, Vermilyea Avenue, NYC. 1940.” A Conservative Synagogue that dates back to the 1920’s, primarily servicing German Jews. At one time, hundreds attended weekly Sabbath services, with guest cantors brought in from Berlin. In 1996, as the synagogue was struggling for its survival, a church bought the building and allowed the dwindling Jewish congregation to hold services in the basement. 6) “Mosholu Jewish Center, 304 Hull Ave. Bronx, NY. 1940.” Founded in 1927 it was home to hundreds of European immigrants. “The social hub of the neighborhood… On Sabbaths and holidays, four different services we had, one after another, and each one would be filled, with people out around the block,” reminisces one of the synagogue’s members. The Orthodox synagogue was led by Rabbi Herschel Schacter from 1947 until 1999 when it closed due to the dwindling Jewish population of the Norwood area of the Bronx.