Congregation Rodeph Sholom was founded on the lower east side of Manhattan in 1842, and moved to the new Charles B. Neftelberg-designed Temple House and Sanctuary in March, 1930. (see picture 1)
The original mahogany pews (encompassing 2300 feet) were restored by the Keck Group in the summer of 2009. Once again, the work was completed within the allotted six-week period. Once the pews were removed from the sanctuary and balcony (removed over the balcony face to the sanctuary floor eighteen feet below), the existing cork floor was replaced with a new cork floor.
The restored pews were completely installed within a one week period; (see pictures 2 through 7), five tractor trailer loads on a one way street on Manhattan’s busy east side (see pictures 8), one quarter block in from a major thorofare, Central Park West.
It was no easy feat, considering alternate-side-of-the-street parking, summer-school programs, and the general nature of the ever-frantic New York City populace!
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| Picture 5 |
Picture 6 |
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| Picture 7 |
Picture 8 |