Kehila Kadosha Janina Synagogue

The Congregation Kehila Kadosha Janina is the only surviving and active Romaniote synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. This building, constructed in 1926-27, was the first synagogue built in the Western Hemisphere by and for Romaniote Jew. Those who established this congregation originally came from the town of Ioannina in the province of Epirus in Greece, where this sect of Jews developed almost two thousand years ago. The facade incorporates important Jewish symbols such as Stars of David and Tablets of Law in its stained glass windows and applied ornament, as well as a cusped arch to show its Middle Eastern derivation.

STATUS Designated Individual Landmarks

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Fern Luskin: Lamartine Place Historic District; Friends of Lamartine Place & Gibbons Underground Railroad Site

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“HDC provided guidance and shared information during that process—we knew which Council members were going one way or another and we changed a few minds. I don’t think NoHo would have had as cohesive a district had it not been for HDC’s aid.”

Zella Jones: NoHo Historic District; NoHo East; and NoHo Extension

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“I remember Richard saying at a meeting, we have someone here from HDC, Nadezhda Williams, Director of Preservation and Research, to help us. She said to us, ‘You are not the only ones going through this.’ HDC included us in an enormous community”

Erika Petersen: West End Preservation Society

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"HDC has begun a series of projects to highlight the Bronx's architectural and cultural history. From booklet's and research highlighting specific sites and historic districts to the HDC's symposium in October 2018 to the latest community-based committee to look into further possible sites to qualify for landmarking, the HDC has established projects that will serve the Bronx community well."

Elena Martinez
City Lore, Folklorist
Bronx Music Heritage Center, Co-Artistic Director

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Ed García Conde,
founder and Executive Director,
Welcome2TheBronx