First Roumanian Shul at 89-91 Rivington Street

WALDMAN OFFICIATES AT THE FIRST ROUMANIAN-AMERICAN SHUL ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE WITH BEN FRIEDMAN LEADING A DOUBLE CHOIR.

The FIRST ROUMANIAN-AMERICAN CONGREGATION (Shaarey Shamoyim) was located at 89-91 Rivington Street for over 100 years.

The synagogue became famous as the "Cantor's Carnegie Hall", because of its high ceiling, good acoustics, and seating for up to 1,800 people. Yossele Rosenblatt, Moshe Koussevitzky, Zavel Kwartin, Moishe Oysher, Jan Peerce and Richard Tucker were all cantors there. My father performed here many times.

Unfortunately, on January 22, 2006 the building suffered a partial roof collapse and less than two months later, the entire structure was demolished.