|
1852 |
|
First Jewish congregation founded. Washington Hebrew Congregation is
formed in the District of Columbia by twenty-one Jews of German extraction.
|
|
| 1869 |
| Adas Israel established. In a reaction against Reform ritual, thirty-eight members resign from Washington Hebrew and establish the Adas Israel Hebrew Congregation to return to more traditional Jewish practices. |
|
| 1876 |
| First Adas Israel Synagogue dedicated. President Ulysses S. Grant heads a list of dignitaries attending the dedication of the congregation's first sanctuary at the corner of Sixth and G Streets, NW. |
|
| 1899 |
| New Synagogue plan adopted. Because they have outgrown the premises, Adas Israel members agree at a special meeting to build a new synagogue. |
|
|
1905
|
| Lots purchased. The congregation finds a buyer for the synagogue property at Sixth and G Streets, NW, and purchases a new lot at the corner of Sixth and I Streets. |
|
| 1906 |
| Construction begins. Construction begins on the synagogue. Architect Louis Levi and builder Arthur Coswill begin work on the first building in DC with a reinforced concrete foundation and lay the cornerstone in the presence of government officials, local clergy, officials of Adas Israel, and members of its building committee. |
 |
|
| 1908 |
| Sixth & I building dedicated. "With impressive services and addresses by prominent Hebrew divines," the Washington Herald noted, the synagogue was dedicated on January 5. Total cost of the edifice: $90,000. |
 |
|
| 1945 |
| New Site acquired. To accommodate its growing membership, which had relocated uptown, the congregation acquires a triangular piece of land at Connecticut Avenue, Porter, and Quebec Streets for a new sanctuary. |
|
| 1951 |
| Turner Memorial acquires building. The building is sold to Turner Memorial A.M.E. Church, which renovates the interior in accordance with African Methodist Episcopol doctrine. Adas Israel's new Quebec Street synagogue is dedicated. |
|
| 1979 |
| Activity Center is dedicated. Turner Memorial dedicates a four-story, multipurpose center on an adjacent property to provide additional accommodations for church and community-related services. |
 |
|
| 2002 |
|
Building is re-acquired. As many of its congregants move out of the city, Turner Memorial announces plans to relocate to Hyattsville, Maryland and puts the building up for sale. Jewish Historical Society executive director Laura Cohen Apelbaum launches an effort to re-acquire the building for use by the Jewish community. Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin z''l and local real estate developers Shelton Zuckerman and Douglas Jemal save the building and pledge to turn it into a Jewish community facility. DC architects Shalom Baranes and Associates
volunteer to oversee the restoration of the building to its original state.
|
|
| 2004 |
Rededication as Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. A ceremony on April 22 marks the
building's rededication for use by the Jewish community. |
2005
|
| Presidential visit. President George W. Bush visits Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on September 14 before delivering remarks at the National Dinner Celebrating 350 Years of Jewish Life in America. |
|
|
| 2007 |
Sixth & I receives Slingshot award, recognizing the 50 most innovative Jewish organizations in
the country. Sixth & I was the only Washington area-based organization honored. |
|
2008
|
| Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel speaks with Leon Wieseltier, literary editor of The New Republic magazine, as part of the Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital third annual Yitzhak Rabin Memorial Lecture, Peace and War in the Jewish Tradition. |
|
|
| 2008 |
| Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visits Sixth & I to share the insights gained from her life: from the kitchen of her San Francisco home to the Congress of the United States, compiled in her book, Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters. |
|
|
| 2008 |
| Sixth & I becomes handicap accessible and welcomes all patrons. |
|
|
| 2009 |
| Sixth & I named by Newsweek as one of the 25 Most Vibrant Congregations in the country, based on its social and community engagement, outreach to young people, diversity and innovation of programs, and dynamism of religious services. |
|
| 2009 |
| The Generations of Generosity celebratory event, held on November 1, 2009, marked five years of Sixth & I and honored those who have made its work possible. The Irene & Abe Pollin Generations of Generosity Award, recognizing individuals whose work in their communities enriches lives and promotes vibrant Jewish culture and continuity, was presented to Arlene and Robert Kogod for all they have given to enhance Sixth & I and the quality of life in the Washington area. The event was hosted by Ted and Andrea Koppel. View photos of this special evening here |
|
|
| 2009 |
| Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, visits Sixth & I for a lecture by Greg Mortenson, co-founder of the Central Asia Institute, founder of Pennies For Peace, and a best-selling author. |
|
|