Congregation Habonim

Congregation Habonim is a vibrant neighborhood synagogue on the Upper West Side of NYC. BKSK designed the 30,000 sq foot synagogue, located in the base of a new residential building (on the site of their former home), to reflect the congregation’s continued evolution as a welcoming community that fosters strong bonds of friendship, prayer and learning.

Inspired by the Congregation’s original (and destroyed) Synagogue in Essen, Germany, the plan for the new Sanctuary is circular, defined by a wooden fin wall that speaks to individuals making a collective whole. The visible craft in the materiality and details throughout is a reference to the word Habonim, which means “the Builders”.

The Sanctuary forms the heart of the Synagogue. Visible immediately upon entry, the curved wall draws one around to the Sanctuary entrance and indicates one’s proximity to the center of worship.   The space is imbued with symbolism and expression of community, from the bronze doors that incorporate the handprints of children to a prayer interpreted through the texture on the bronze ark doors.

An intimate chapel provides a second, light-filled worship space that includes stained glass from the Congregation’s previous 66th Street home.  Community spaces complete the program, including a 340-person social hall, classrooms, gathering spaces, offices and a large meditation garden.