The ninth oldest still active Jewish congregation in the United States, founded in 1839.

Our thanks to Samuel Gruber, PHD, a cultural heritage consultant who provided the following information. Temple Society of Concord, popularly known as Temple Concord, was founded in 1839, and is the oldest Jewish congregation in Central New York. On September 22, 1911 the congregation moved from its first purpose-built synagogue at State and Harrison Streets, erected in 1851, and dedicated its new imposing classical style sanctuary on University Avenue and Madison Street. The new sanctuary was designed by local architect Alfred Taylor and renowned Jewish architect and planner Arnold W. Brunner and fit in architecturally with other new civic buildings, such as the classical-style Onondaga County Courthouse built in 1906. Temple Concord faces University Avenue, and is located just north of the Syracuse university campus.

The Temple facade is reached by a long flight of steps, and consists of a portico of four columns screening three sets of double doors. Above the central entryway is the English inscription, “Mine house shall be called an [sic] house of prayer for all peoples.” Set above each of the other doors is the Star of David. This an a large Decalogue set above the roof gable over the portico are the only external ornaments that indicates the building’s Jewish identity. A vestibule opens onto a long, wide, open hall filled with natural light by rows of tall windows along each side. A flat, coffered ceiling with minimal decoration surmounts the space. The acoustics allow a good voice or choir to easily project through the entire sanctuary. From the original entrance, the eye is drawn immediately to the far end where a simple, slightly flattened, triumphal arch surmounts the raised bimah and Ark. The Ark itself is classically severe, but small enough not to be visually overwhelming.

The social hall and school were expanded in 1929, and a new school wing was added in 1960. The Temple was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

Temple Concord is the last active synagogue in the 15th Ward, formerly the heart of Jewish life in Syracuse. Today, the synagogue attracts an active congregation from throughout Central New York, and through its food pantry, lecture series and many other programs actively serves Syracuse and the region.

A more detailed discussion may be found at http://works.bepress.com/samuel_gruber/52/