In front of a Jewish museum located in Washington, D.C., two employees of the Israeli embassy were tragically shot. Both were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, situated in downtown D.C., when this sorrowful incident occurred.
U.S. Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem took to social media on Platform X to share - Tonight, near the Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., two Israeli embassy workers were brutally murdered. Meanwhile, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations has termed this incident as a 'heinous act of anti-Jewish terrorism.'
Israeli Ambassador Describes Incident as Terrorism
Ambassador Danny Danon also wrote on his X handle: Attacking diplomats and the Jewish community crosses a red line. We trust U.S. authorities will take stern action against those accountable for this criminal act.
Source: aajtak
Capital Jewish Museum's Rich History
After this incident, the Capital Jewish Museum's name has been buzzing. Both Israeli embassy employees were leaving from here. The Capital Jewish Museum is indeed a historical synagogue. It’s considered the oldest synagogue in America.
19th Century Jewish Place of Worship
According to the Capital Jewish Museum's website, it was established on June 9, 1876, by the Adas Israel Congregation as the oldest synagogue. In reality, Adas Israel was the second-largest Jewish religious group in Washington, D.C., formed in 1869. Before that, the Hebrew Congregation was in place here since 1852. Families from both groups originally hailed from Germany.
Over the decades, the Jewish population in Washington, D.C. grew, and groups like Adas and the Hebrew Congregation absorbed many. This included immigrants from Eastern Europe, real estate developers, migrants from Turkey and Morocco, government employees, grocers, and other small business owners. All these individuals and many others were part of the Jewish community at the start of the 20th century.
One-Time Synagogue Transformed to Museum
By the 20th century, what is now known as the Capital Jewish Museum was once a synagogue, a prayer house for American Jews. In 1969, it was transformed into the Capital Jewish Museum. Prior to its conversion, numerous attempts were made to take over this building. To preserve this historic structure, the Jewish Society struggled immensely until it was finally turned into a museum.
Years of Struggle to Preserve the Building
From the 1920s to the 1940s, the first floor of this synagogue was divided into retail shops, including a bicycle store, a barber, and a grocery store. In the 1960s, plans for the construction of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority headquarters threatened its demolition.
Also Read: Two Israeli Embassy Officers Shot Dead in America, Assailant Arrested, Shouted 'Free Palestine' Slogans in Custody
On September 1, 1969, President Richard Nixon signed a law authorizing the government of Columbia to purchase the building and lease it to the Jewish Society at $1 per year for 99 years for historic preservation purposes.
Historic Synagogue Becomes a Museum
This historic synagogue was restored by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington and in 1975, it became the home of the Lillian and Albert Small Jewish Museum. Spanning 32,500 square feet and over four stories, it is now known as the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum or just the Capital Jewish Museum.
Family Programs for the Jewish Community
Various programs for different Jewish societies are conducted here. Families often visit. It serves as a resource of history, covering the achievements, struggles, and activities of America's settled Jewish families and society. Many family programs are organized. People visit to trace old relatives and learn about their roots.
