Of Goldie Hawn, Theater J and 8 Other Things About (Jewish) Washington D.C.
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
1 28,000 Jews live in Washington, D.C.
2 In 1847, there were roughly 25 Jews in all of Washington.
3 Washington’s first Jewish congregation, which came to be known as the Washington Hebrew Congregation, first convened in 1852. But when a melodeon, an organ-like instrument, was introduced at the shul shortly thereafter, a number of dismayed temple-goers broke off and started their own congregation.
4 In the early 20th century, the Seventh Street neighborhood was home to the majority of thriving Jewish businesses in Washington.
5 The United States Institute of Peace Headquarters was designed in 2011, by Israeli architect Moshe Safdie.
6 Washington D.C. represents the country’s seventh largest Jewish metropolitan area.
7 After the Air & Space Museum, the most popular tourist attraction in D.C. is the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
8 Goldie Hawn is among the most well-known Jewish actresses born in D.C.
9 D.C. is home to Theater J, one of the most prestigious Jewish theaters in the U.S. The theater was recently the subject of controversy when it fired its long-time director, Ari Roth, some of whose productions were purportedly hostile towards Israel.
10 D.C. residents drink more wine per capita than residents of any other state in the country.
— ALEXANDRA LEVINE
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