[1] Its first religious leader, Rabbi Meyer Freeman,[2] published a book entitled "The Talmud" to raise money for a synagogue building.

"[6] From the late 1970s to early 1980s Sutton Place Synagogue began to establish itself as a destination for singles, young couples and families.

[7][8] Established by Rabbi David Kahane in 1981, the synagogue's Jewish Town Hall put the congregation at the forefront of political discourse.

Cardinal-designte John O’Connor,[9] Jackie Mason,[10] Ellie Wiesel,[11] Henry A. Kissinger,[11][12][13] and Ariel Sharon[14] all participated in a Jewish Town Hall at Suton Place Synagogue.

[2] On May 12, 1951, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion visited the then called East Fifty-First Street Synagogue, where he received blessings from Rabbi Kahane.

During his time as Rabbi of the congregation he instituted a film salon series and short story course, inviting such authors as Pete Hamill and Stephen Dubner.