Located in downtown Washington, D.C., Sixth & I Synagogue occupies a unique position as both an active Jewish religious institution and a prominent cultural entertainment venue. Operating under a hybrid model, it intentionally blends spiritual life with secular arts, culture, and public discourse, using its historic sanctuary as a multi-purpose civic space.

As a synagogue, it hosts weekly Shabbat services, High Holiday celebrations, educational programs, and interfaith lifecycle events within a pluralistic framework that welcomes diverse Jewish denominations. At the same time, the sanctuary serves as a respected performance venue for concerts, comedy shows, live podcasts, author talks, and appearances by notable artists, intellectuals, and public figures. This dual identity has made Sixth & I a distinctive example of how historic religious spaces can be adapted to meet both spiritual and cultural needs in contemporary urban communities.

I would like to thank the esteemed Michelle Eider, Director of Marketing and Communications, Sixth & I, for her support of this article.

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue is a beautifully restored historic synagogue in downtown Washington, D.C., distinguished by its grand domed sanctuary, soaring arches, and colorful stained-glass windows. Built in 1908, the building combines Moorish Revival, Romanesque Revival, and Byzantine architectural influences, giving it an elegant and monumental appearance.

Inside, the sanctuary features a high vaulted ceiling beneath a striking central dome, intricate decorative details, and warm natural light filtered through stained glass, creating an atmosphere that is both majestic and welcoming. A recreated stained-glass rose window featuring a menorah motif serves as one of the sanctuary’s most distinctive features, and antique glass was incorporated wherever possible during the restoration to preserve the building’s historic character.

The Torah scrolls at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue are housed in the building’s central ark, where they serve as the most sacred ritual objects in the sanctuary. The Torah scrolls sit within the historic sanctuary’s striking architectural setting, framed by the building’s restored early-20th-century design, stained glass, and elevated bimah.

Originally constructed as a synagogue, later used as a church, and eventually restored to its Jewish roots, the building today serves as both an active place of worship and a vibrant cultural center. The sanctuary seats approximately 750 guests across two levels, while the social hall can accommodate up to 250 people. In addition, two flexible multi-purpose rooms can each host up to 75 guests. Its blend of historic beauty, spiritual significance, and versatile event spaces makes it one of Washington’s most distinctive religious and cultural landmarks.

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue’s Shabbat services are designed to build community, particularly for people in their 20s and 30s, through spiritually uplifting experiences, with advance registration encouraged and additional resources such as a music library and newsletter available for those seeking deeper engagement. As a multi-denominational center for Jewish life, Sixth & I also maintains a kashrut policy intended to accommodate a broad range of observance levels; its kitchen operates as kosher-style pescatarian, meaning it avoids explicitly non-kosher ingredients while not maintaining strict kosher supervision, as there is no mashgiach on site and the cookware and utensils are not kept fully kosher.

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue offers a range of Jewish education programs designed primarily for people in their 20s and 30s, providing opportunities to explore Jewish learning, spiritual growth, and contemporary discussions of an ancient tradition. Its offerings include “Basically Jewish,” a five-session introductory course for Jews and non-Jews seeking to explore or reconnect with Judaism through different frameworks of American Jewish identity, as well as an Interfaith Couples Workshop that provides a supportive, nonjudgmental space for partners of different religious backgrounds to navigate identity and relationship questions.

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