Religious congregations in New York City, particularly smaller ones, face significant challenges in securing suitable and affordable spaces due to the city's soaring real estate market. Many groups must find creative solutions to rent or share facilities, as purchasing property is often financially out of reach.
Key Takeaways
- New York City's high real estate prices make finding permanent space difficult for religious congregations.
- Renting is a common solution, but specific needs like large gathering areas and weekend availability create obstacles.
- Congregations are exploring partnerships, sharing spaces with other religious or educational institutions.
- The bankruptcy of a host school and the closure of a church highlight the instability of some rental arrangements.
- A proposed fund could incentivize Jewish organizations to rent space to smaller Jewish groups.
Finding a Home in a Challenging Market
Rabbi Adam Mintz, who leads a Modern Orthodox congregation, Kehilat Rayim Ahuvim, on the Upper West Side, recently experienced this challenge firsthand. His congregation needed a space that could accommodate 50 to 80 people for services. They also required a separate area for kiddush lunch after Saturday mornings. The location had to be within walking distance for congregants, and critically, the space needed to be available on Friday nights, Saturdays, and during major Jewish holidays.
Finding such a space in Manhattan's competitive real estate market proved difficult. Rabbi Mintz noted the impossibility of simply searching online for a synagogue-ready property. After a search lasting several months, a congregant suggested the National Council of Jewish Women's building on West 72nd Street. This location met all the congregation's specific requirements.
"You can’t go on StreetEasy and find a synagogue space exactly as you want it," Rabbi Mintz stated. "And that space on 72nd Street, I guess we walked past it every day. But it took somebody — one of our members had this amazing idea."
This arrangement benefited both parties. Kehilat Rayim Ahuvim secured a meeting place at a rate below market value. The National Council of Jewish Women gained a new income stream and partnered with another Jewish organization. Rabbi Mintz described this as a win-win, strengthening the Jewish community.
Real Estate Snapshot
- Average Manhattan Rent: As of late 2024, average monthly rents in Manhattan often exceed $5,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, reflecting the overall high cost of space.
- Commercial Space: Commercial rental rates can be even higher, making large, flexible spaces for congregations extremely expensive.
- Limited Inventory: The specific requirements for religious spaces, such as large halls and specific usage times, severely limit available options.
The "Edifice Complex" and Creative Solutions
David Kaufman, author of "Shul with a Pool," refers to the struggle of securing a permanent space as the "edifice complex." He has extensively documented the history of American synagogues, including those in New York City. Kaufman's research divides the city's synagogue history into four phases. The most recent phase, beginning around the year 2000, highlights the escalating challenge of finding space as rental costs have soared.
Historical Context
In the 1970s and 1980s, New York City's real estate market was more forgiving. Rents were significantly lower, and various types of premises were available for different purposes. Today, finding affordable and suitable space for any organization, especially those with specific needs like religious congregations, is considerably more difficult. This historical shift underscores the current pressures on smaller groups.
Congregations are adopting creative approaches to address this issue. Kehillat Harlem, a "shul community," rents a storefront on Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard. Prospect Heights Shul, a Modern Orthodox synagogue, operates within Luria Academy, a Jewish school located in Brooklyn. These examples demonstrate the necessity of unconventional solutions.
Instability in Rental Agreements
Even after securing a rental space, congregations can face ongoing instability. Darkhei Noam, an independent minyan, had rented from Manhattan Country School on the Upper West Side since 2017. Their lease was set to end in 2034. However, the school's bankruptcy in summer 2025 forced the congregation to urgently seek a new location. This sudden change left the group without a stable home.
Similarly, the Fort Tryon Jewish Center (FTJC) has been renting space from the Fort Washington Collegiate Church in Upper Manhattan. The church's impending closure will displace FTJC at the end of December. These situations illustrate the precarious nature of relying on third-party properties.
Paul Wachtel, former co-chair of Darkhei Noam's board, described the search as "very difficult." He pointed out that the cost of renting property for a congregation that only uses the space a few times per week can be prohibitive. He emphasized the need for partners who can utilize the space at other times.
"We need a space for all the Jewish occasions and events, but it would be impossible to buy and difficult to rent unless we have a partner who would make use of it at other times during the week, like an educational institution," Wachtel explained during their search.
Darkhei Noam recently reached a one-year lease agreement with the Trevor Day School, providing a temporary solution. This highlights the ongoing need for flexible and sustainable arrangements.
The Partnership Model and Future Outlook
Rabbi Mintz believes that renting space from larger Jewish organizations represents an optimal model. In September, his congregation moved from the National Council of Jewish Women's building, after 21 years, into the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. The congregation rebranded as the Shtiebel @ JCC. Rabbi Mintz expressed enthusiasm for the move, noting the JCC's status as "probably the busiest Jewish building in Manhattan."
The relocation followed a trial run last year when Kehilat Rayim Ahuvim held a service at the JCC due to their own air conditioning issues. A month into the new arrangement, the Shtiebel @ JCC has seen success, attracting new members from the community and those connected through the JCC. The congregation also plans to use the JCC’s rooftop sukkah.
Rabbi Mintz advocates for replicating this model across the city. He suggested that large synagogues, which often rent out their spaces to non-Jewish organizations between services, could also consider renting to smaller Jewish nonprofits. This approach, he argues, would strengthen the Jewish community internally.
Benefits of Jewish Partnerships
- Cost Sharing: Reduces financial burden for smaller congregations.
- Resource Access: Provides access to existing facilities and amenities.
- Community Building: Fosters stronger connections between Jewish organizations.
- Enhanced Security: Shared security protocols can benefit all occupants.
- Grant Opportunities: Joint applications for grants become possible, as seen with Prospect Heights Shul and Luria Academy.
David Kaufman, however, noted that this specific model of one congregation leasing space from an existing Jewish community hub is relatively new. While there are historical examples of congregations forming within organizations, the idea of an established congregation moving into and taking over space within another Jewish institution is less common.
UJA-Federation of New York, a major Jewish organization, confirmed that it regularly provides space for various community events, including for synagogues. However, according to public relations director Emily Kutner, they have not yet been approached by a congregation specifically to hold regular services in their building.
Other Jewish organizations have explored this model. Temple Emanu-El's downtown campus moved into the Center for Jewish History's building last year. Executive director Dina Mann reported that their search involved evaluating numerous commercial spaces and contacting other "mission-aligned" nonprofits and museums. Mann highlighted the benefit of a shared sensibility regarding Jewish community life and security.
The partnership between Prospect Heights Shul and Luria Academy has opened new avenues, including joint grant applications. Rabbi Jonathan Leener, who leads Prospect Heights Shul, expressed hope that larger foundations and philanthropists would be drawn to this collaborative model of Jewish community.
As congregations like the Fort Tryon Jewish Center continue their search for a home, Rabbi Mintz envisions a fund that would incentivize these Jewish partnerships. Such a fund would provide financial support to both the hosting and renting organizations. While some communities, like Washington Heights where FTJC serves, may lack suitable Jewish organizations to host tenants, Mintz believes these partnerships hold significant potential for groups located within walking distance of such facilities.
"It’s such an important real estate model, and we don’t utilize our real estate properly," Rabbi Mintz concluded. He believes that better utilization of existing Jewish communal real estate can foster stronger, more resilient communities in New York City.