B'nai Israel Synagogue
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Set close to Route 52 in the center of Woodbourne, this two-story wood-frame synagogue has a steep gable roof, a deep wooden cornice with returns, and tall lancet-arched windows on the sanctuary level. A round window with a Star of David sits in the gable. Asbestos shingles now cover the original stucco. Inside, the second-floor sanctuary keeps its pressed-metal coved ceiling, cornice and traces of stenciled decoration, though later finishes hide much of it. Members of the congregation built the synagogue themselves in 1922 to save money. It served Eastern European Jewish farmers, resort keepers and merchants who settled around Woodbourne in the early twentieth century, and it was the hamlet's only Jewish meeting place. Its original orthodox layout placed the bimah at the center, with separate seating for women. The building was recognized for its role in the social life of this community and as a representative Sullivan County synagogue combining orthodox traditions with regional architectural forms. It remains in active use.
Significance in brief: It is significant as a representative early twentieth century synagogue in Sullivan County, serving as the only Jewish meeting place and a cultural and social center for Woodbourne's Eastern European Jewish community of farmers, resort operators and merchants. Its architecture combines Eastern European orthodox synagogue features, regional ecclesiastical forms and resort-era materials.
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 98001620, listed January 15, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 52, Woodbourne |
|---|---|
| County | Sullivan County |
| Listed | January 15, 1999 |
| Reference number | 98001620 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1922 |
| Architect / builder | unknown (built by members of the congregation) |
| Architectural style | no style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as an active synagogue, serving mainly the year-round population of Woodbourne; original stucco is covered by asbestos shingles and the interior plan has been modestly altered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.75264, -73.80825 (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 98001620.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4833619
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.