An independent traditional egalitarian community in Northern Manhattan
As an independent congregation that has long been an anchor of the Jewish community in Washington Heights and Inwood, we have thrived by evolving with our neighborhood and our membership. Today, the congregation is a diverse mix of families and individuals from many backgrounds. Our egalitarian services and our traditional ritual — spiritual, tuneful and participatory — attract people of all levels of observance.
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Winter is here, but the seeds of renewal are already stirring deep underground! FTJC is here with a virtual Tu Bishvat Seder for adults, and a range of in-person activities for children of all ages.
Our community is active this winter with plenty to keep us warm, connected, and sustained. We'll be indoors, outdoors, and virtual, to suit a wide range of comfort, access, and ways to engage.
FTJC Windows Project
In 1938, Fort Tryon Jewish Center (FTJC) was founded by Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe. By mid-century, FTJC, then located in a handsome building at 524 Fort Washington Avenue, was no longer the fledgling synagogue of its inception. An ever-growing, vibrant community, FTJC now demonstrated with each simcha a people’s resilience following the devastations of the Shoah.
Yet, FTJC needed a prayer and celebration space to meet the ever-increasing needs of an expanding shul, and congregants soon mounted a fundraising drive to renovate and redesign 524 Fort Washington’s main sanctuary and ballroom.
Check out the full history of our stained-glass windows here.
How We Gather in the Pandemic
During the pandemic, we have all tried to keep pace with the many challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FTJC Board, Rabbi Guy Austrian, and many volunteers give a great deal of thought to how we adapt and act, with the goals of preserving the health of our congregation, protecting our community’s most vulnerable members, being conscious of an overburdened medical community, and ensuring that we are present to support one another.
Prayer services are currently held indoors, with numerous safety precautions. We will continue to revisit this decision on an ongoing basis with guidance from medical and public health authorities. More information about our indoor services here.
Additional programming continues to be held either outdoors or virtually. Please see our winter programming page and our calendar for more information.
City and local neighborhood resources are compiled here, including public health information, social services, and end of life planning.
