Angel Orensanz Foundation, Manhattan

The Angel Orensanz Foundation is a cherry-red structure at 172 Norfolk Street, in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. It is a cultural center for musical and literary events. Recently the Angel Orensanz Foundation opened an Art Gallery on its ground floor. I understand that a museum is also in the works.

That's what the building is today, in its present life and name. However, the building has a long and colorful history.

It began life as the Ansche Chesed Synagogue, built in 1849 in the Neo-Gothic style. The Ansche Chesed Synagogue was the oldest synagogue in New York City, and at the time of its completion, the biggest in the world.

Angel Orensanz Center, New York City
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Angel_Orensanz_Center_002.jpg
Author: FlickrLickr


The building was designed by Berlin architect Alexander Saelzer. It is based on the design of the Cologne Cathedral and the Friederichwerdeschekirche in the Mitte in Berlin.

The Jewish population drained out of the Lower East Side after World War II, forcing many synagogues there to close, and Ansche Chesed was not spared.

The Ansche Chesed Synagogue building was bought over and rehabilitated by Spanish sculptor Angel Orensanz in 1986. Today it houses the Angel Orensanz Foundation, which also has a website, www.orensanz.org

How to reach the Angel Orensanz Foundation

Take the F, J, M or Z trains to the Essex Street/Delancey Street subway station. Walk east on Delancey Street until intersection with Norfolk Street. Turn left and walk north on Norfolk Street. After the Stanton Street intersection, you will find the Angel Orensanz Foundation on the right side of Norfolk Street.

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