Posted by Alvin L. on Thu, Jul 04, 2024

Can anyone estimate the percentage of religious institutions still open in the Bronx compared to the 1950s & 1960s?
For example: Catholic Churches and Jewish Synagogues

Reference ID: bx92420

Posted by Chris on Fri, Jul 05, 2024

My Holy Spirit parish church is still open as well as the neighboring parish of St Nicholas Of Tolentine on Fordham Road. As far as synagagouges the two that I knew of on Burnside and Harrison and on University between Burnside and Tremont are both closed. I would say that the ratio of closed synagogues is higher than that of closed churches.

Reference ID: bx92428

Posted by Amaranita on Sat, Jul 06, 2024

A lot of synagogues closed a long time ago. Many taken over by churches. Now many Catholic Churches have closed. But, there has been an uptake in the number of churches of different denominations, many Hispanic in nature, that have appeared all over the Borough. I don't think The Bronx has a lack of religion. It does, however have much less of the traditional Catholic and/or Jewish congregations than we all grew up with.

Reference ID: bx92437

Posted by Lobo on Wed, Jul 10, 2024

Back in the late 1960's their was a Jewish/Christian Coalition in Norwood. It consisted of the Temple (Synagogue?) at Hull Ave. & Moshulu Parkway, St.Brendans Church on 207th &, the Episcopalian(or Lutheran?) Church also on 207th.st. The Rabbi of the congregation founded & hosted the event. The priests would meet with the Rabbi & members at the Temple to discuss problems the neighborhood was facing & how they could intervene. Rev. Boyle from St. Brendan's was the priest who was part of that, but I cannot recall the Rabbi's name. It was a dynamic group, they had an impact, but it came to an end when the Temple (Synagogue?) closed down. The Rabbi turned the building over to Rev. Boyle to continue its use for community service, which it did for many years. As the Jewish community waned, the outreach program impact was adversely affected. Does anyone recall the Jewish Congregation at Hull Ave. & Moshulu? Was it a Temple or Synagogue?

Reference ID: bx92452

Posted by Miltonebx on Wed, Jul 10, 2024

The title Temple and Synagogue are used interchangeably.Historically, when the Temple was destroyed,only Synagogue was used. It is of Greek origin and loosely means "to come together", "meeting place". When Reform Judaism was established they used the word "Temple" so both titles are invariably used.

Reference ID: bx92453

Posted by Lobo on Wed, Jul 10, 2024

Thanks for the great clarification & explanation! Learned something new! I was curious as to whether the Hull Ave site was designated Temple or Synagogue, as I was sure it inscribed "Temple" (it is not). I googled 3044 Hull Ave Bronx, brought back memories. Beautiful white brick Fascia, Star of David on parapet. Above the entrance doors are the Ten Commandments, And a very ornate stain glass centerpiece above that! I know there are more ornate Synagogues in Manhattan, but this one right in the Bronx is an architectural Beauty! While it is sad to see it no longer serves as a House Of Worship, I am happy to see the spirit of what this congregation started lives on! It is now a Head Start Center! MSGR Patrick Boyle's name is on the building, all of the original Synagogue details are fully intact, very well preserved!

Reference ID: bx92455

Posted by Cary on Wed, Jul 10, 2024

I remember the synagogue being called the Mosholu Jewish Center. The 1960s era rabbi was named Schacter.

Reference ID: bx92456

Posted by Lobo To Cary on Sat, Jul 13, 2024

Wow! I looked up Rabbi Schacter, found a few photos...that is him! Rabbi Herschel Schacter! I then found a Wikipedia write up on him. I had no idea what a dynamic Rabbi he was. Born in Brooklyn, he spent most of his career at Moshulu Center, and retired to Riverdale after the Center closed its doors in 1999! He called the Bronx his home! I met him a few times back in the early 70's. I had no idea back then of his worldwide involvement in humanitarian causes! Wish I got to know more about him back then! A must read bio on Wikipedia! I must say to my fellow Bronxites...Norwood has been blessed with a few incredible men of faith that to this day, although they are gone, still leave a living legacy for those in crises!

Reference ID: bx92461

Posted by Cary on Sat, Jul 13, 2024

Thanks for the interesting information about a Norwood VIP. I recall many years ago hearing that Rabbi Schacter was among a group of religious leaders who met with President Nixon. That would seem to go along with the info you provided.

Reference ID: bx92463