Temple Beth El of Borough Park
Also known as: Young Isreal Beth El of Borough Park
Why it's listed
Built between 1920 and 1923, this Brooklyn synagogue at 15th Avenue and 48th Street was designed by the firm Shampan & Shampan for Temple Beth-El, a congregation of Eastern European origin. Its granite facade, trimmed in limestone and terra cotta, is approached by broad steps and centers on a grand arched entrance decorated with Moorish arabesques and Judaic symbols such as the menorah and magen david. Inside, a square sanctuary with a balcony is covered by a large Guastavino dome, reported in 1923 as the third largest of its type in the country. The building reflects the period when Borough Park had a significant Jewish population and Brooklyn was a major Jewish center. It also became known for its cantorial tradition, especially under cantor Moshe Koussevitsky, who served from 1952. The property is valued both as a distinctive example of Moorish-influenced synagogue design and as a religious and cultural landmark.
Significance in brief: The building is significant under Criterion A for ethnic heritage and religion as an early 20th-century synagogue built for a congregation of Eastern European origin, and for its cantorial tradition under Moshe Koussevitsky. It is significant under Criterion C as an intact Brooklyn synagogue that combines Moorish ornament with Judaic motifs. Its Guastavino dome was considered at the time the third largest of its type in the country.
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 10000224, listed April 27, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4802 15th Ave, Brooklyn |
|---|---|
| County | Brooklyn |
| Listed | April 27, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000224 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1920-1960 |
| Architect / builder | Shampan & Shampan |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals: Moorish Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a synagogue (Young Israel Beth El of Borough Park); the form lists current function as religious facility. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.63493, -73.98719 (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 10000224.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7698462
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.