Brooklyn Synagogue Vies for Preservation Funds

By JTA May 2, 2012

A Brooklyn congregation was chosen as one of 40 New York-area organizations to compete for funds to restore their historic buildings.

Congregation Beth Elohim is eligible to win up to $250,000 to restore its sanctuary’s stained glass windows as part of the American Express Partners in Preservation program in conjunction with the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It was the only Jewish institution to make it to the final voting phase.

Other institutions vying for the prize include the Brooklyn Public Library, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Guggenheim Museum and the Tenement House Museum.

American Express will distribute a total of $3 million in the contest.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be among the panel of civic leaders and preservation experts to serve as judges for the program, which includes an international voting campaign. Individuals are able to vote once per day at the Partners in Preservation website.

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