Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Historic Synagogue

Please join us for an opening reception celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Historic Synagogue.

2026 marks both the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 150th anniversary of Adas Israel Congregation’s original synagogue, the first purpose-built synagogue in Washington, DC, dedicated in 1876 with President Ulysses S. Grant in attendance.

This milestone reflects a powerful moment of Jewish belonging in the American story. Today the building stands at the heart of the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum.

Attend a special reception to commemorate this legacy and to celebrate the opening of a new permanent installation exploring 150 years of history and community.

At this celebration, you can enjoy:

• A newly installed display tracing the synagogue’s history and preservation
• Displays of foundational artifacts, including the Mordecai Bible
• Stories of Jewish participation in America’s milestone anniversaries
• Opportunities to contribute to a community time capsule to be opened in 2076

Remarks at 7 pm

Light refreshments served