Congregation B'nai Israel (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
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| Congregation B'nai Israel | |
|---|---|
 The synagogue, in 2018 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Conservative Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership | Rabbi Arthur W. Flicker (Emeritus) |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 4401 Indian School Road NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110 |
| Country | United States |
  Location in New Mexico | |
| Geographic coordinates | 35°6′7″N 106°35′41″W / 35.10194°N 106.59472°W |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | George Wynn |
| Type | Synagogue architecture |
| Style | Expressionist |
| Date established | 1920 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1971 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 500 worshipers |
| Height (max) | 43 feet (13 m) |
| Materials | Polyurethane foam, timber, brick, glass |
| Website | |
| bnaiisrael-nm | |
Congregation B'nai Israel | |
| NRHP reference No. | 100003674 |
| NMSRCP No. | 2051 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | May 2, 2019 |
| Designated NMSRCP | February 15, 2019 |
| [1][2] | |
Congregation B'nai Israel is a historic Conservative Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 4401 Indian School Road NE, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. The building is notable for its distinctive Expressionist design by George Wynn, including an unusual undulating conical roof formed from polyurethane foam, as well as its importance in the city's Jewish community.[3] The synagogue was completed in 1971 and was listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
Congregation B'nai Israel was established in 1920, meeting in various temporary locations until the first synagogue was completed in 1941 at Coal and Cedar. By the 1960s, the congregation needed more room to expand and purchased a new site at Indian School and Washington. Fundraising for the new building began in 1967 but was put on hold when the congregation decided to send most of the money to support Israel in the Six-Day War instead.[4] The campaign was restarted in 1968, and ground was broken on the new building in December 1969.[5]
The synagogue was formally dedicated in December 1971[6] and has remained in use since. The lobby was expanded and remodeled in 1990.[7] In 2019, the building was added to the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties and the National Register of Historic Places.
