Introduction Message from Rabbi Pearl What Our Members Say Look Around Bulletin Directions Hebrew School		Look Around The simple, brick exterior of ACI is in stark parallel to the rich, colorful interior rooms of the building. Most notably, visitors (and our members!) are captivated by the 1928 murals of French artist Louis Pierre Rigal that fill the sanctuary. Rigal is best known to New Yorkers for his glorious mosaic in the Park Avenue lobby of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. A short piece in the New York Times on December 2, 2010 about muralist Louis Pierre Rigal stated "Along with the Waldorf [Astoria Hotel lobby] paintings, his other major commissions surviving in New York are 1920s murals of tawny animals facing off against foliage backdrops at the Astoria Center of Israel synagogue in Queens." Click HERE to read the article on the Times website. Click on a photo to view a larger image; rollover a photo for copyright information.
		Closeup of the colors in the foyer ceiling mural.	Closeup of the design in the foyer ceiling mural.
		On the sides of the sanctuary, beneath a teal blue ceiling, there is a painted motif of the Magen David. Like many of the designs throughout the synagogue, the ailathus leaves on the archway are painted to appear 3-D.	One of the many beautiful stained glass windows in the main sanctuary.
		Closeup of the lion in the mural on the front of the sanctuary.	Closeup of the deer in the mural on the front of the sanctuary.
		Closeup of the Grate above the bima.	Closeup of the sanctuary.
		The foyer, front and back of the sanctuary, balcony, and ceilings abound in vibrant, larger-than life imagery of plants and animals as well as abstract geometrical motifs. Interestingly, some of the designs appear to be carved in wood or metal, but upon closer inspection, are revealed to be paintings rendered in a three-dimensional style. In addition to murals, the main sanctuary includes beautiful stained glass windows and a rosette grating on the ceiling to bring in the daylight. The murals were inspired by the Pirkei Avot, Chapter 5, Verse 23, where Rabbi Judah Ben Tema says: "Be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a deer, and strong as a lion, to carry out the will of your Father in Heaven". The sanctuary murals can be viewed during services, or contact the main office to schedule a tour. To maintain respect during services, we ask that you wait until afterwards if you'd like to view the murals up close or take pictures. Videography is not permitted in ACI except with special permission during events. ACI also has larger rooms, a social hall, and a full kosher kitchen available for special events and group meetings. Contact our office for rates and details.

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