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This is the Little Synagogue, a colonial chapel of peaceful dignity where every
traditional and historic item glows gently in a beautiful setting.

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THE LITTLE SYNAGOGUE
As noted by Esther H. (Mrs. Ferdinand S.) Oppenheim,1956

Affectionately known as the Little Synagogue to distinguish it from the main synagogue, it is a composite of the synagogues occupied by Shearith Israel for more than three centuries under three flags: a decade under the Dutch, a century under the British, and since 1783 under the Stars and Stripes. One characteristic never changed, the loyalty to historical liturgy and love of traditional Judaism which motivated the original Jewish settlers in Nieuw Amsterdam. Life and religion were inseparable to the founding fathers who were dedicated to the worship of God. Today descendants of these families are members of the congregation contributing to its continuity. The Little Synagogue is used for small weddings, the naming of a baby, and for the blessing of hagomel in thanksgiving for recovery from illness or escape from danger. It is a chosen place for intimate personal prayer.

The chaste and fine proportions of the chapel reproduce the unique settings of Sephardic synagogues, while revealing the restraint and serenity characteristic of Colonial architecture. Our chapel is 31x24 feet, not much smaller than the first American Synagogue erected in 1730. Here is a notable resemblance to our first Synagogue. In this half-century old chapel, tangible reminders of our Colonial heritage and ancient religious artifacts come together as symbols of religious freedom; a precious shrine which has shone like a benediction through the years.

Old-time descriptions of the interiors of the Mill Street Synagogues, "costly and elegant," have been realized in the restoration of the rich collection of a colorful past. The first synagogues were white, gold and heavenly blue. Diaries and archives have provided valuable data on the original appearance of the silks, silver, brass and wood.
The Tebah (Reader's desk) represents the altar in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem of old. This Tebah was used in 1730 and was covered with silver-gringed, crimson silk-damask. The original Railing around the Tebah with its exquisite spindles holds four Candlesticks which are the oldest items in the Little Synagogue. The designs on these candlesticks represent a Habdala set, consisting of a candleholder, wine cup and a besamin (spice) box. Made of Spanish brass, the candlesticks date from the fifteenth century. Little is known of their history except that they have been in use since 1730.

The Hehal (Holy Ark) is placed at the eastern wall so that when the Congregants face it in prayer they face Jerusalem. Within the Ark are deposited the Scrolls of the Torah, two of which were damaged during the British occupation of New York in the Revolutionary War.

The interior of the Ark is lined with crimson silk-damask, as it was in the 1730 Mill Street Synagogue. Here the Rimmonim (Torah headpieces) from the first Synagogue of Shearith Israel have the form used by Sephardim in the thirteenth century, consisting of a turret with open arches in which hang gold bells.

The Tablet of the Ten Commandments from 1730 is set above the Ark. Next to it are two very old brass Urns with the beauty of the almond blossom motif in their ornamental carving. In Numbers XVII, 16:26, is the command concerning the testimony of the almond branch which was used in the Holy Temple. Almond sprigs were traditionally placed in vases on each side of the ten commandments. When sprigs were not available, the urns remained without them.

In front of the Ark hangs the Ner Tamid (Perpetual Light) . The lamp was made in 1817 by J. and A. Seger in New York City. It has been in continuous use since 1818. It was described as "radiant with blue glass and prisms".

The Bancas (Benches) on each side of the Ark were made in 1834, and are reserved for the President and the Vide-President of the congregation. Three Pews from 1730 with "full backs edged with mahogany" are hand-wrought benches with their lockers in which books and the tallith (prayer shawl) of the congregant are kept. The other Benches were made in 1834. In those days members provided themselves with individual seat cushions of various hues and materials.

Two Memorial Lamps are in the alcove on the north wall. One was the Ner Tamid of our Nineteenth Street building. It was remodeled slightly during the restoration to match the Davis Memorial Lamp next to it.

In the center of the west window hangs the Sabbath Lamp of the Seven Wicks , an interesting lamp of great artistic charm from the 1730 Synagogue. The two beautiful candlesticks on the window sill and the lovely sconces came from the Crosby Street Synagogue. The Stained Glass Windows were made by Tiffany in 1896 and are reminiscent of the stained glass windows in the Crosby Street building. The four Chandeliers were created for the Little Synagogue in the design of the Byzantine oil lamps used in old synagogues of Europe and Asia.

Other symbols of the historic past and the present are the two marble and gilt Rosh Hodesh Tablets (Marking the New Moon) and the Omer Board. The ancient Hanukkah Menorah of beaten brass was made in Holland before 1730. Wall hooks have been made to hold these religious objects.

The Wainscotting in the Little Synagogue was painted white with a mahogany dado to bring the walls into keeping with the Colonial atmosphere, and over it all, the beautiful and authentic color of the blue ceiling crowns the pride of our congregation -- The Little Synagogue of Shearith Israel.