The "New Role" of the Synagogue

From The Peopling of NYC

New suburbs had sites designated for construction of schools and religious institutions. There was an extraordinary burst of synagogue construction. However, this did not mean an increase in religiosity. Many of these Synagogues served more of a social purpose rather than a religious one. Rabbis and Ministers promoted interfaith movements. Jews were acting more like typical Americans than “reborn” Jews. To sum it all up, it was “religiousness without religion.”

The Synagogue on the left is from the LES and was built more than 100 years ago. The two on the right are from Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn and were built recently.