17 April 2008

What's That Line About Good Intentions and Hell?


Here's a not-unusual sight on the Lower East Side: the old entrance of a now-defunct temple—in this case, the First Roumanian-American Congregation.

Of course, the 150-year-old synagogue famously collapsed back in 2006 when the roof caved in. This doorway is all that remains. Built around is a new building housing Museum 52, a new art space. It seems a sort of an insult to keep the doorway but have it used for secular purposes. I'm all for historical preservation, but this example feels particularly crass.

1 comment:

A. Rosenthal said...

Really? When so many historical buildings being torn down all over the US, why can't you just appreciate the fact that they preserved part of this historical synagogue? At least its not a bar.