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Judaism

Holy rolling: DC’s oldest synagogue put on wheels and moved to new location

By Caleb Parke Fox News
Published
Workers move Adas Israel Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in Washington, down the street on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Washington. The synagogue will be part of the new Capital Jewish Museum. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Workers move Adas Israel Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in Washington, down the street on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Washington. The synagogue will be part of the new Capital Jewish Museum. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The Capital's oldest synagogue was schlepped two blocks away to its permanent home.

After 142 years, the former Adas Israel Synagogue was moved to its fourth location at the corner of F Street and Third Street NW as part of a new museum of Jewish history.

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“Yes, this is literally a building rolling down the street, but it’s also such a remarkable symbol of our city and the Jewish community here,” Kara Blond, executive director of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington, said.

The first time it was moved was 49 years ago for the subway system. Then it was moved again in 2016 to make way for a mixed-use building. The next move tilted the building 90 degrees. The most recent relocation will make the building face east, in line with Jewish custom.

Rabbi Hannah Spiro of Hill Havurah offered a traditional Jewish traveler's prayer Wednesday morning before the historic trek.

Rabbi Hannah Spiro of Hill Havurah offers a traditional Jewish traveler's prayer, before workers move the Adas Israel Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in Washington, to a new location, which will be part of the new Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Washington . (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Rabbi Hannah Spiro of Hill Havurah offers a traditional Jewish traveler's prayer, before workers move the Adas Israel Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in Washington, to a new location, which will be part of the new Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Washington . (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The synagogue opened in 1876 and President Ulysses S. Grant attended the ceremony. But the building hasn't always served as a synagogue.

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For some time, it was a meeting space for Greek Orthodox and African-American churches, retail stores, offices, and a nonkosher barbeque joint.

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But it's final resting place restores the new location to its Jewish roots, as the cornerstone of the 25,000-square-foot Capital Jewish Museum, which is set to open in 2021.