 Established by Rabbi Kahane in 1981, the synagogue's most famous program, the Jewish Town Hall, put the congregation at the forefront of political discourse.Cardinal-designate John O’Connor, Jackie Mason, Ellie Wiesel, Henry A. Kissinger, and Ariel Sharon all participated in a Jewish Town Hall at Suton Place Synagogue.On December 11, 1985, the synagogue became the owners of 229 East 51st Street, the current site of the Sachs Family Educational Center housing the Kaplan Nursery School and the Nathaniel and Fanny Stricks Jackson Religious School.