One of two major synagogues built in Providence during the early twentieth century, the former Temple Beth El (now referred to locally as the Broad Street Synagogue) was designed by Banning and Thornton architects, and constructed in 1910-1911. The building served the Congregations of the Sons of Israel until 1954, when a new Temple Beth El was built on Orchard Avenue. After 1954, the building occupied by the Shaare Zedek congregation, a group merged from several older congregations. When this ... view more »
One of two major synagogues built in Providence during the early twentieth century, the former Temple Beth El (now referred to locally as the Broad Street Synagogue) was designed by Banning and Thornton architects, and constructed in 1910-1911. The building served the Congregations of the Sons of Israel until 1954, when a new Temple Beth El was built on Orchard Avenue. After 1954, the building occupied by the Shaare Zedek congregation, a group merged from several older congregations. When this congregation merged with Beth Sholom in 2006, the Broad Street Synagogue was left vacant.
In the recent years, local university students have initiated a number of fundraising efforts to revitalize the building. Concurrently, this group is working with the Rhode Island Historical Society to conduct oral histories with congregants who worshiped in the building. This group has also partnered with the Providence Revolving Fund to secure funding to stabilize the roof, initiated discussions with the Jewish Alliance of Rhode Island about ways to engage unaffiliated young Jews, and spearheaded a volunteer community clean-up.
View less
