Magen David Synagogue
Why it's listed
Built in 1920-1921 in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, this brick synagogue was designed by Maurice Courland for the Magen David Congregation, formed by Syrian Jews who moved from Manhattan's Lower East Side and Williamsburg. The two-story building rises from a granite basement and features Flemish-bond brickwork, round-headed stained glass windows, stone details, and a red tile roof with a star at its peak. Egyptian-style motifs above the entrance recall the Middle Eastern origins of the congregation and architect. Inside, the sanctuary keeps its original pews, stained glass, beamed ceiling, and a balcony with theater-style folding seats. A 1925 school building and a house acquired in 1952 for morning prayer complete the property. It was recognized as an intact example of early twentieth-century synagogue design and for its role as the first synagogue built for New York's Syrian-Jewish community. Many members have since moved away, yet the building remains a gathering place, including for funerals.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the synagogue is architecturally significant as an intact, representative example of early twentieth-century synagogue design in New York City. It is also historically significant for ethnic heritage and religion as the first synagogue built for New York's Syrian-Jewish community, still regarded as the community's "mother" synagogue.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 04000293, listed April 15, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2017 67th St., Brooklyn |
|---|---|
| County | Brooklyn |
| Listed | April 15, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000293 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1920-1952 |
| Architect / builder | Courland, Maurice |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals: neo-Romanesque Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | European, Religion, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a synagogue and school; the house is used for morning prayers. The building is also the location of funerals for community members. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.61500, -73.98625 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 04000293.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6730094
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.