New Center, Ancient History on Kane Street
Members and friends of Brooklyn's Baith Israel Anshei Emes congregation gathered at Kane Street Synagogue yesterday to officially open the Sol and Lillian Goldman Education Center. The newly renovated building has nine Internet-ready classrooms, a chapel, a library, a kitchen, and a large community room.
A daughter of the building's namesakes, Amy Goldman, said her mother would be thrilled with the building.
"She valued education above everything else," Ms. Goldman said.
The congregation bought the building in 1905. At the time, it was led by Harris Copeland, father of the synagogue's most famous student, Aaron Copeland. To commemorate the composer's bar mitzvah, the synagogue is hosting a Copeland concert on November 14.
During the renovation, workers discovered a 5-foot-tall safe that contained 150-year-old prayer shawls, torah covers, and records dating back to the congregation's founding.
"This proves that we're the oldest synagogue in Brooklyn," said Carol Levin, a writer and amateur historian. She spent the past two years constructing a complete history of the congregation and its building.
On display in the new chapel is a selection of the artifacts from the safe.
Rep. Anthony Weiner, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, City Council Member David Yassky, and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz all attended the opening reception.
