Riverdale Temple

The Riverdale Temple is a Reform Jewish congregation and synagogue located at 4545 Independence Avenue, in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, New York City, New York, United States.^[1] The congregation was founded in 1947.^[2]

Riverdale Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Reform Judaism
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Synagogue
Leadership	Rabbi Thomas Gardner Rabbi Judith S. Lewis (Emerita) Rabbi Stephen D. Franklin (Emeritus)
Status	Active
Location
Location	4545 Independence Avenue, Riverdale, the Bronx, New York City, New York 10471
Country	United States
Location in the Bronx, New York City
Geographic coordinates	40°53′31″N 73°54′47″W
Architecture
Type	Synagogue
Date established	1947 (as a congregation)
Website
riverdaletemple.org

In 2009, the rabbi was Judith S. Lewis.^[1] In July 2015, Rabbi Lewis retired and was succeeded by Rabbi Thomas Gardner.

Terrorism plot

Main article: 2009 Bronx terrorism plot

In 2009, a group of four American Muslims planned to blow up the temple.^[3] After a six-week trial, the four were convicted on conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles. In 2011, the men were sentenced in the District Court to 25 years in prison each. On appeal to the Federal Court, their sentences were upheld. In July 2023, a judge ordered compassionate release for three of the four men, with time served, being eleven years. The judge declared their 25-year sentences ‘unduly harsh and unjust’.^[4][5]

On May 30, 2009, New York Governor David Paterson announced he would give the Riverdale Jewish Center and the Riverdale Temple $25,000 each to improve their security. The money came from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and primarily involved the installation of alarms and surveillance equipment.^[6]