Built in 1849, Angel Orensanz is the oldest surviving synagogue in NYC & the second oldest in the U.S.

Its architect, Alexander Saeltzer, was a Prussian-Jewish immigrant. It became one of the spiritual anchors of the Lower East Side. In 1986, Jewish Spanish sculptor & painter Angel Orensanz fell in love with its Gothic grandeur, transforming it into a multidisciplinary art space, restoring much of its interior by hand. He kept the original inscriptions & stained glass, preserving the building’s spirit while giving it a second life. His idea was to merge sacred architecture with contemporary art, letting the past and present speak to each other.

Today it is home to fashion shows, film shoots, concerts, and theatrical performances, community & interfaith events. Designated a historic landmark, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services are still held.