Syrian Jewish communities of the United States
Encyclopedia
The Syrian Jewish communities of the United States are a collection of communities of Syrian Jews
, mostly founded at the beginning of the 20th century. The largest are in Brooklyn, New York, Deal, New Jersey
and Miami, Florida
. The population of the New York and New Jersey communities is currently estimated at about 75,000.
, Midwood
, Flatbush
, and along Ocean Parkway
in Gravesend
, Brooklyn. The latter is considered to be the current center of the community, though the community was formerly centered around the Magen David Synagogue on 67th street in the Bensonhurst neighborhood as listed below:
In addition to Syrian Jews proper, the community includes smaller groups of Israeli, Lebanese, Egyptian, Turkish, Moroccan and other similar origins, who have their own place within the overall "Syrian" communal structure. A distinction is also recognized between Halabis (from Aleppo) and Shamis (from Damascus). Furthermore, there is a perceived difference between the Modern Orthodox "White Hats" and those tending to Haredi Judaism
"Black Hats", though this is a matter of degree rather than an absolute division. There are no Conservative
or Reform
congregations affiliated with the Syrian community. Presently, there is an array of different synagogues that cater to the community's many different backgrounds, customs and liturgical styles. They are as follows:
Within the community, there is also a Sephardic Community Center fulfilling functions similar to the national JCC
organization. The community is characterized by multi-generational businesses; often, children are encouraged to stay within the family business. Still, many families, recognizing the challenges to financial success posed by a lack of a university degree, have been encouraging undergraduate and graduate education, especially in the fields of business and finance. Those who pursue higher education are encouraged to remain within the familial structure.
, Elberon
, Long Branch
, Oakhurst
and Bradley Beach
. This largely consists of an abundance of people who come there during the summer months though some live there permanently, especially in the more inland regions of Eatontown
, Oakhurst
and West Deal. Hillel Yeshiva located in Ocean Township
, is a notable private school that is popular among the youth of year round residents in the Deal area.
serves a a winter retreat for many Syrian Jews from the Tri-State New York and New Jersey area.
Syrian Jews
Syrian Jews are Jews who inhabit the region of the modern state of Syria, and their descendants born outside Syria. Syrian Jews derive their origin from two groups: from the Jews who inhabited the region of today's Syria from ancient times Syrian Jews are Jews who inhabit the region of the modern...
, mostly founded at the beginning of the 20th century. The largest are in Brooklyn, New York, Deal, New Jersey
Deal, New Jersey
Deal is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the borough population was 750.Deal was incorporated as a borough on March 7, 1898, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature, from portions of Ocean Township....
and Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
. The population of the New York and New Jersey communities is currently estimated at about 75,000.
New York
The first Syrian Jews to arrive in the United States were Jacob Dwek and Ezra Sitt, both of Aleppo. They sailed from Liverpool, England on July 22, 1892 on the Germania. After the turn of the century, more immigrants came to the U.S. and settled on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Later settlements were in BensonhurstBensonhurst, Brooklyn
Bensonhurst is a neighborhood located in the southwestern part of the New York City borough of Brooklyn.-Geography:Sometimes erroneously thought to include all or parts of such neighborhoods as Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, and Borough Park, or to be defined by the streets where the concentration of...
, Midwood
Midwood, Brooklyn
Midwood is a neighborhood in the south central part of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, New York, USA, roughly halfway between Prospect Park and Coney Island. The neighborhood is within Community District 14...
, Flatbush
Flatbush, Brooklyn
Flatbush is a community of the Borough of Brooklyn, a part of New York City, consisting of several neighborhoods.The name Flatbush is an Anglicization of the Dutch language Vlacke bos ....
, and along Ocean Parkway
Ocean Parkway (Brooklyn)
Ocean Parkway is a broad boulevard in the west central portion of the borough of Brooklyn in New York City.-Route description:Ocean Parkway extends over a distance of about five miles , running almost north to south from the vicinity of Prospect Park to Brighton Beach...
in Gravesend
Gravesend, Brooklyn
Gravesend is a neighborhood in the south-central section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA.The derivation of the name is unclear. Some speculate that it was named after the English seaport of Gravesend, Kent. An alternative explanation suggests that it was named by Willem Kieft for the...
, Brooklyn. The latter is considered to be the current center of the community, though the community was formerly centered around the Magen David Synagogue on 67th street in the Bensonhurst neighborhood as listed below:
- Congregation Shaare ZionCongregation Shaare ZionCongregation Shaare Zion, is an Orthodox Sephardic synagogue located at 2030 Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn, New York. One of the largest Orthodox Jewish congregations in New York, it has an estimated 1,500 worshipers who attend its services Fridays and Saturdays for Shabbat...
, at 2030 Ocean Parkway between Avenue T and Avenue U, housing several synagogues in a single building along with a separate house as an additional annex structure. It is the largest, and is now considered the flagship synagogue of the community. The synagogue was constructed in 1960 in the Gravesend neighborhood, and the community soon followed it there throughout the rest of the 1960s and early 1970s1970sFile:1970s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: US President Richard Nixon doing the V for Victory sign after his resignation from office after the Watergate scandal in 1974; Refugees aboard a US naval boat after the Fall of Saigon, leading to the end of the Vietnam War in 1975; The 1973 oil...
. Currently, the synagogue holds the seat of Chief Rabbi Saul J. Kassin. The Rabbi's father Rabbi Jacob S. Kassin, along with the Rabbi's brother-in-law Rabbi Baruch Ben Haim; were the previous spiritual leaders of the Syrian community in New York respectively, until their passings in 1994 and 2005. Another important rabbinic figure for a number of years was Rabbi Abraham HechtAbraham HechtAbraham Hecht born on April 5, 1922 in Brooklyn, New York; is an American Orthodox rabbi affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, and is president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America - Igud HaRabanim....
. But due to conflicting political interests during the 1990s1990sFile:1990s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: The Hubble Space Telescope floats in space after it was taken up in 1990; American F-16s and F-15s fly over burning oil fields and the USA Lexie in Operation Desert Storm, also known as the 1991 Gulf War; The signing of the Oslo Accords on...
, the Rabbi was forced into submitting his resignation. Sharing in rabbinical duties are Rabbi Yaakov Ben Haim (son of Rabbi Baruch Ben Haim), Rabbi David Maslaton, Rabbi Meyer Yedid, Rabbi Raymond Haber, Rabbi Moshe Laniado and Rabbi Raymond Beyda. The synagogue generally serves the Aleppo or (Halabi) Syrian community. The synagogue's social hall is a popular venue for weddings.
- Magen David Synagogue, at 2017 67th Street between 20th and 21st Avenues. This synagogue was the former flagship of the community, and was erected in 1921. The synagogue was at its height of popularity during the 1940s1940sFile:1940s decade montage.png|Above title bar: events which happened during World War II : From left to right: Troops in an LCVP landing craft approaching "Omaha" Beach on "D-Day"; Adolf Hitler visits Paris, soon after the Battle of France; The Holocaust occurred during the war as Nazi Germany...
, 1950s1950sThe 1950s or The Fifties was the decade that began on January 1, 1950 and ended on December 31, 1959. The decade was the sixth decade of the 20th century...
, and early 1960s1960sThe 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...
. The synagogue is still in continual use for daily and Shabbat prayers. It is also very notable with the community at present for holding funeral services. In 2001, the building was declared a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation CommissionNew York City Landmarks Preservation CommissionThe New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is the New York City agency charged with administering the city's Landmarks Preservation Law. The Commission was created in April 1965 by Mayor Robert F. Wagner following the destruction of Pennsylvania Station the previous year to make way for...
. By 2004, the building was certified and listed with the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. - Rabbi Salomon Lankry
In addition to Syrian Jews proper, the community includes smaller groups of Israeli, Lebanese, Egyptian, Turkish, Moroccan and other similar origins, who have their own place within the overall "Syrian" communal structure. A distinction is also recognized between Halabis (from Aleppo) and Shamis (from Damascus). Furthermore, there is a perceived difference between the Modern Orthodox "White Hats" and those tending to Haredi Judaism
Haredi Judaism
Haredi or Charedi/Chareidi Judaism is the most conservative form of Orthodox Judaism, often referred to as ultra-Orthodox. A follower of Haredi Judaism is called a Haredi ....
"Black Hats", though this is a matter of degree rather than an absolute division. There are no Conservative
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism is a modern stream of Judaism that arose out of intellectual currents in Germany in the mid-19th century and took institutional form in the United States in the early 1900s.Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism,...
or Reform
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
congregations affiliated with the Syrian community. Presently, there is an array of different synagogues that cater to the community's many different backgrounds, customs and liturgical styles. They are as follows:
Brooklyn
- Ahaba Ve Ahva, at 1744 Ocean Parkway between Kings Highway and Quentin Road, for Egyptian Jews. - Rabbi Shimon Alouf (Rosh Yeshiba of the Sephardic Rabbinical College).
- Ahaba Ve Ahva Congregation and Yeshiva, at 2001 East 7th Street.
- Ahi Ezer Congregation, at 1885 Ocean Parkway. The synagogue generally serves the Damascus or (Shami) Syrian community. - Rabbi Shaul Maslaton
- Ahi Ezer Torah Center, at 1950 East 7th Street.
- Ahi Ezer Yeshiva, a synagogue housed on the ground floor of the Ahi Ezer Elementary School, at 2433 Ocean Parkway. Originally built as an extension for Damascus (Shami) Jews, it currently has a mostly Egyptian attendance. - Rabbi Hanania Elbaz
- Ateret Torah, at 901 Quentin Road, for HaredimHaredi JudaismHaredi or Charedi/Chareidi Judaism is the most conservative form of Orthodox Judaism, often referred to as ultra-Orthodox. A follower of Haredi Judaism is called a Haredi ....
. - Rabbi Yosef Harari Raful - Avenue O Synagogue or Ohel Yeshua VeSarah, at 808 Avenue O. - Rabbi Shemuel Beyda
- Avenue U Synagogue, at 400 Avenue U.
- Congregation Beth El, at 2181 East 3rd Street between Avenue U and Avenue V.
- Bet Shaul U'Miriam, at 2208 Avenue S (Madison Neighborhood). - Rabbi David Cohen
- Beth Torah, at 1061 Ocean Parkway (Midwood Neighborhood), founded by Albert Shalom. - Rabbi Yehuda A. Azancot
- Bet Yaakob, now situated in the former Ahaba Ve Ahva synagogue, at 1801 Ocean Parkway. - Rabbi Eli MansourEli MansourEli J. Mansour is an Orthodox Sephardic rabbi in Brooklyn, New York. He is one of the leading speakers in the Syrian-Jewish community and the leader of ...
- Beth Yosef, also known as Beth Levy, at 2108 Ocean Parkway (Gravesend Neighborhood).
- Congregation Bnai Yosef, the Sitt Shul, at 1616 Ocean Parkway, on the corner of Avenue P. - Rabbi Haim Benoliel
- Bnei Binyamin Torah Center, at 727 Avenue O. - Rabbi Solomon Seruya
- Bnei Yitzhak, at 730 Avenue S. - Rabbi Harold Sutton (Rosh Yeshiba of the Magen David Yeshiva, and Rosh Kollel of the Sephardic Rabbinical College).
- Bnei Yitzhak Annex, at 718 Avenue S.
- Har Halebanon, at 820 Avenue S. - Rabbi David Jemal and Rabbi Clem Harari
- Hayim Shaal Congregation, at 1123 Avenue N (Midwood Neighborhood). - Rabbi Mordechai Maslaton
- Keter Sion, at 1914 East 8th Street. - Rabbi Max Maslaton (son of Rabbi Sion Maslaton)
- Kol Israel Congregation, at 3211 Bedford Avenue. - Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari (Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Flatbush).
- Kollel Ohel Moshe, also known as Rabbi Lankry's Synagogue, at 1848 East 7th Street between Avenue R and Kings Highway, for Moroccan Jews. - Rabbi Shlomo Lankry
- Madison Torah Center, at 2221 Avenue R. - Rabbi Danny Tawil and Rabbi Shmuel Aini
- Magen David Synagogue, housed in the Magen David Yeshivah, at 2130 McDonald Avenue. - Rabbi Joey Haber, Rabbi Haim Shaul and Rabbi Ikey Tawil
- Netivot Israel Congregation, at 1617 Ocean Parkway, for Moroccan Jews. - Rabbi Gad Bouskila
- Ohel Moshe, at Avenue P and East 16th Street. - Rabbi Moshe Levy
- Ohr Hachaim, at 2286 Coney Island Avenue.
- Rabbi Yehouda Ben Betera Congregation, at 2296 Coney Island Avenue, for Qamishli Jews. - Rabbi Marco Nakash
- Sephardic Center of Mill BasinSephardic Center of Mill BasinThe Sephardic Center of Mill Basin, is a Syrian Jewish Orthodox Sephardi synagogue located at 6208 Strickland Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. It is primarily used by Jews residing in the Mill Basin, Georgetown and Bergen Beach neighborhoods of Brooklyn....
, at 6208 Strickland Avenue (Mill Basin Neighborhood). - Rabbi Abraham Levy - Sephardic Lebanese Congregation, at 805 Avenue T. - Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz
- Sephardic Synagogue, housed in the former Sephardic Institute, at 511 Avenue R. - Rabbi Moshe Shamah and Rabbi Ronald Barry
- Shaare Rahamim, at 1244 East 7th Street (Midwood Neighborhood). - Rabbi Shlomo Churba
- Shaare Shalom, at 2021 Avenue S (Madison Neighborhood). - Rabbi Joe Dweck (Rosh Yeshiba of Barkai Yeshiba)
- Shaare TorahYeshivat Shaare TorahYeshivat Shaare Torah is a haredi private Jewish day school program located in Brooklyn, New York. It includes elementary schools and High schools for both boys and girls, separately....
, at 1680 Coney Island Avenue (Midwood Neighborhood). - Shevet Achim Congregation, at 708 Avenue T, for Damascus (Shami) Jews. - Rabbi Yosheyahu Shammah and Rabbi Yosef Hamra
- Shevet Achim Youth Congregation, at 706 Avenue T. - Cantor Chaim Leviov
- Shuva Israel, at 2015 Avenue R.
- Sukkat Daveed Congregation, at 807 Avenue T.
- Tiferet Torah Congregation, on East 3rd Street between Avenue P and Quentin Road. - Rabbi Michael Haber
- Congregation Torat Israel, at 710 Shore Boulevard (Manhattan Beach Neighborhood). - Rabbi Jacob Farhi
- Yad Shaul, at 1117 Avenue J, entrance on East 12th Street, a small synagogue for Yemenite Jews primarily used for Shabbat services. - Rabbi Ovadia Melamed
- Yad Yosef Torah Center, at 1032 Ocean Parkway (Midwood Neighborhood). - Rabbi David Ozeri and Rabbi David Sutton
Within the community, there is also a Sephardic Community Center fulfilling functions similar to the national JCC
Jewish Community Center
A Jewish Community Center or Jewish Community Centre is a general recreational, social and fraternal organization serving the Jewish community in a number of cities...
organization. The community is characterized by multi-generational businesses; often, children are encouraged to stay within the family business. Still, many families, recognizing the challenges to financial success posed by a lack of a university degree, have been encouraging undergraduate and graduate education, especially in the fields of business and finance. Those who pursue higher education are encouraged to remain within the familial structure.
Manhattan
- Edmond J. Safra Synagogue of New York, Midtown at 5th Avenue and 63rd Street. - Rabbi Elie Abadie
- Magen David of Union Square, Downtown at 5th Avenue and 16th Street.
- Manhattan Sephardic Congregation, on the Upper East Side at 325 East 75th Street. - Rabbi Raphael Benchimol
- Sephardic Synagogue of 5th Ave, in Midtown at 5 East 62nd Street. - Rabbi Abraham Priel
Staten Island
- Aur Torah, at 1180 Rockland Avenue. - Rabbi Aharon Zeev
New Jersey
The New Jersey community is mainly based in Monmouth County, especially DealDeal, New Jersey
Deal is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the borough population was 750.Deal was incorporated as a borough on March 7, 1898, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature, from portions of Ocean Township....
, Elberon
Elberon, New Jersey
Elberon is an unincorporated area that is part of Long Branch in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP code 07740....
, Long Branch
Long Branch, New Jersey
Long Branch is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,719.Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township...
, Oakhurst
Oakhurst, New Jersey
Oakhurst is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Ocean Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP population was 3,995.-Geography:Oakhurst is located at ....
and Bradley Beach
Bradley Beach, New Jersey
Bradley Beach is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 4,298. The summer population can reach 30,000.-History:...
. This largely consists of an abundance of people who come there during the summer months though some live there permanently, especially in the more inland regions of Eatontown
Eatontown, New Jersey
Eatontown is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 12,709.What is now Eatontown was originally incorporated as Eatontown Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 4, 1873, from portions of Ocean Township and...
, Oakhurst
Oakhurst, New Jersey
Oakhurst is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Ocean Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP population was 3,995.-Geography:Oakhurst is located at ....
and West Deal. Hillel Yeshiva located in Ocean Township
Ocean Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey
Ocean Township is a township located in east central Monmouth County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 27,291.Oakhurst and Wanamassa Ocean Township is a township located in east central Monmouth County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
, is a notable private school that is popular among the youth of year round residents in the Deal area.
- Edmond J. Safra Synagogue of Deal or Zvi La Zadeek, but more commonly known as the Hathaway Shul, owing to its location at 75 Hathaway Avenue in Deal. - Rabbi Isaac Farhi
- Magen David of West Deal, at 395 Deal Road. - Rabbi Ezra Labaton
- Magen David Congregation, at 101 Fifth Avenue in Bradley Beach.
- Synagogue of Deal, at 128 Norwood Ave. - Rabbi Isaac Dwek
- Synagogue of Oakhurst, at 280 South Lincoln Avenue.
- Ohel Simha, the Park Avenue Synagogue, at 295 Park Avenue in Long Branch. - Rabbi Shemuel Choueka
- Ohel Yaacob, the Lawrence Avenue Synagogue, at 4 Lawrence Avenue.
- Congregation Hechal Shaul or Ahabah Ve Ahva, the Egyptian Synagogue, on Norwood Avenue in Deal. - Rabbis Michael and Joey Haber
- Shaare Ezra, at 36 Cedar Ave in Long Branch. - Rabbi David Nahem
- Ohel Yis'hak, Sephardic Synagogue of Allenhurst, at 108 Allen Avenue in Allenhurst. - Rabbi Moshe Shamah
- Magen Avraham, at 479 Monmouth Road in West Long Branch. - Rabbi Reuven Semah
- Shaare Tefilah, at 20 Whalepond Road in Eatontown. - Rabbi Moshe Douek
- Bet Midrash Of Long Branch, at 216 Lenox Ave. - Rabbi Shlomo Diamond
Florida
South FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
serves a a winter retreat for many Syrian Jews from the Tri-State New York and New Jersey area.
- Edmond J. Safra Synagogue of Turnberry, at 19275 Mystic Pointe Drive in Aventura (Turnberry Neighborhood). - Rabbi Galimidi