Syrian Jewish communities of the United States

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.[1]

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 start of the 20th century, more immigrants came to the U.S. for three reasons: First, an economic decline in Syria crippled their ability to earn a living. Second, the Young Turks, a rebel group responsible for the overthrow of the Ottoman sultan, were conscripting Jews into the Army. Third, the rise of Zionism led to increased anti-Semitism in the Middle Eastern region.[2] Most settled on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Later settlements were in Bensonhurst, 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.

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. A number of magazine publications, such as Image and Community Magazine, also cover social topics in relation to the community as a whole.

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:

Name Image State City Clergy Culture Address, Website
Ahaba Ve Ahva New York Brooklyn Rabbi Shimon Alouf Egyptian 1744 Ocean Parkway Ahaba.org
Ahaba Ve Ahva Congregation and Yeshiva New York Brooklyn Egyptian 2001 East 7th Street
Ahi Ezer Congregation
New York Brooklyn Rabbi Shaul Maslaton Syrian - Shami 1885 Ocean Parkway
Ahi Ezer Torah Center New York Brooklyn Syrian - Shami 1950 East 7th Street
Ahi Ezer Yeshiva Synagogue New York Brooklyn Rabbi Hanania Elbaz Egyptian 2433 Ocean Parkway, Ahiezeryeshiva.org
Aur Torah New York Staten Island Rabbi Aharon Zeev Syrian 1180 Rockland Avenue, Aurtorah.org
Avenue O Synagogue, Ohel Yeshua VeSarah New York Brooklyn Rabbi Shemuel Beyda Syrian 808 Avenue O, Avenueosynagogue.com
Ateret Torah New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yosef Harari Raful Sephardic Haredim 901 Quentin Road
Bet Shaul U'Miriam New York Brooklyn Rabbi David Cohen Syrian 2208 Avenue S
Congregation Beth El of Flatbush New York Brooklyn Rabbi Ani Israeli, Baal teshuva 2181 East 3rd Street
Congregation Beth Torah New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yehuda A. Azancot Syrian 1061 Ocean Parkway, Beth-Torah.com
Beth Yosef New York Brooklyn Rabbi Aharon Farhi Lebanese 2108 Ocean Parkway, BethYosef.com
B'nai Yosef Synagogue New York Brooklyn Rabbi Haim Benoliel Syrian, Sephardic Haredim 1616 Ocean Parkway
Bnei Binyamin Torah Center New York Brooklyn Rabbi David Seruya Sephardic Haredim 727 Avenue O
Bnei Shelomo VeYaffa New York Brooklyn Rabbi Eliezer Zeytouneh Syrian 1301 Gravesend Neck Road
Congregation Bnei Yitzhak New York Brooklyn Rabbi Joseph Beyda Syrian 730 Avenue S, Bneiyitzhakweb.org
The Edmond J Safra Synagogue New York Brooklyn Rabbi Eli Mansour Syrian 1801 Ocean Parkway, ejss.org
Edmond J. Safra Synagogue New York Manhattan Rabbi Elie Abadie Syrian 11 East 63rd Street, ejsny.org
Emek Hatorah Congregation New York Brooklyn Syrian 1781 Ocean Parkway
Congregation Har HaLebanon New York Brooklyn Rabbi David Jemal, Rabbi Clem Harari Lebanese 820 Avenue S
Hayim Shaal Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Mordechai Maslaton Syrian 1123 Avenue N, HayimShaal.org
Congregation Hochma U'Mussar New York Brooklyn Rabbi Harold Sutton Syrian 718 Avenue S, Hochmaumussar.org
Kehilat Bnei Yaakov New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yaakov Farhi Syrian 630 Avenue S
Keter Sion Torah Center New York Brooklyn Rabbi Max Maslaton Sephardic Haredim 1914 East 8th Street, Ketersion.com
Kol Israel Congregation New York Brooklyn Syrian 3211 Bedford Avenue, Kolisrael.org
Congregation Kol Yaakov New York Brooklyn Lebanese 1703 McDonald Avenue
Kollel Ohel Moshe New York Brooklyn Rabbi Shlomo Lankry Moroccan 1848 East 7th Street
Madison Torah Center New York Brooklyn Rabbi Danny Tawil Syrian 2221 Avenue R
Magen Abraham New York Brooklyn Rabbi Duvi Ben Soussan Syrian - Shami 2066 East 9th Street
Magen David Synagogue of Manhattan New York Manhattan Rabbi Sion Setton Syrian 177 Sullivan Street, mdmny.org
Magen David Synagogue New York Brooklyn Rabbi Haim Shaul, Rabbi Joey Haber Syrian 2130 McDonald Avenue, Magendavidsynagogue.org
Manhattan Sephardic Congregation New York Manhattan Rabbi Raphael Benchimol Syrian 325 East 75th Street, Sepharad.org
Midrash Moshe ben Maimon Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yair Alfieh Syrian - Shami 59 Gravesend Neck Road
Mishkan Yerushalaim New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yehoshua Alfieh Syrian - Shami 520 Avenue X, MishkanYerushalayim.org
Mikdash Eliyahu Synagogue New York Brooklyn Rabbi Raymond Harari, Rabbi Nissim Syrian 2145 East 2nd Street, Mikdasheliyahu.org
Netivot Israel Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Gad Bouskila Moroccan 1617 Ocean Parkway, Netivotisrael.org
Ohel David & Shlomo - Torat Israel Sephardic Congregation
New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yosef Bitton Syrian 710 Shore Boulevard, Ohelds.com
Congregation Ohel Moshe New York Brooklyn Rabbi Moshe Levy Syrian 1601 Avenue P
Congregation Ohr Hachaim New York Brooklyn Syrian - Shami 2286 Coney Island Avenue
Rabbi Yehouda Ben Betera Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yohai Cohen Syrian - Qamishli 2296 Coney Island Avenue, Rybbc.org
Shaare Yeshuah M'tzion Sephardic Center of Mill Basin New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yitzhak Yisrael Syrian 6208 Strickland Avenue, Sephrdiccentermb.org
Sephardic Lebanese Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz, Rabbi Raymond Beyda Lebanese 805 Avenue T, Slcshul.com
Sephardic Lebanese Congregation Annex New York Brooklyn Rabbi Raymond Beyda, Rabbi Solly Mizrahi Lebanese 807 Avenue T
Sephardic Institute Synagogue New York Brooklyn Rabbi Moshe Shamah, Rabbi Ronald Barry Syrian 511 Avenue R, Judaic.org
Congregation Shaare Rahamim New York Brooklyn Rabbi Shlomo Churba Syrian 1244 East 7th Street
Congregation Shaare Shalom New York Brooklyn Rabbi Avi Harari Syrian, Egyptian 2021 Avenue S, Shaareshalom.com
Shevet Achim Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yosheyahu Shammah, Rabbi Yosef Hamra Syrian - Shami 708 Avenue T
Shevet Achim Youth Congregation New York Brooklyn Syrian - Shami 706 Avenue T
Shuva Israel New York Brooklyn Persian 2015 Avenue R
Tiferet Torah Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Michael Haber Syrian 1741 East 3rd Street
Yad Yosef Torah Center New York Brooklyn Rabbi David Ozeri, Rabbi David Sutton Syrian 1032 Ocean Parkway
Congregation Yam Hatorah New York Brooklyn Rabbi Isaac Mohadeb Syrian 1573 East 10th Street
YDE Synagogue New York Brooklyn Rabbi Ralph Gindi Syrian - Shami 2533 Coney Island Avenue, ydeschool.org
Masada Memorial Chapels New York Brooklyn Funeral Home 2005 Coney Island ave, Jewish funeral home

New Jersey

The New Jersey community is mainly based in Monmouth County, especially Deal, Elberon, Long Branch, Oakhurst and Bradley Beach. The community largely consists of people who reside 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.

Name Image State City Clergy Culture Address, Website
Bet Rachel New Jersey West Long Branch Rabbi Howard Bald, Rabbi Richard Tobias Syrian 48 Larchwood Avenue
Edmond J. Safra Synagogue of Deal New Jersey Deal Rabbi Isaac Farhi Syrian 75 Hathaway Avenue, Safrashulnj.org
Magen David of West Deal New Jersey West Deal Syrian 395 Deal Road, Westdealshul.org
Magen David Congregation New Jersey Bradley Beach Syrian 101 5th Avenue
Synagogue of Deal New Jersey Deal Rabbi Isaac Dwek Syrian 128 Norwood Avenue
Synagogue of Oakhurst New Jersey Oakhurst Syrian 280 South Lincoln Avenue, Synagogueofoakhurst.org
Ohel Simha New Jersey Long Branch Rabbi Shemuel Choueka Syrian 295 Park Avenue, Ohelsimha.com
Ohel Yaacob New Jersey Deal Syrian 4 Lawrence Avenue, Ohelyaacob.com
Ahabah Ve Ahva New Jersey Deal Rabbi Michael Haber, Rabbi Joey Haber Egyptian 108 Norwood Avenue, Hechalshaul.weebly.com
Shaare Ezra New Jersey Long Branch Rabbi David Nahem Syrian 36 Cedar Avenue, Cedaraveshul.org
Ohel Yis'hak Sephardic Synagogue New Jersey Allenhurst Rabbi Moshe Shamah Syrian 108 Allen Avenue
Magen Avraham New Jersey West Long Branch Rabbi Reuven Semah Syrian 479 Monmouth Road, wlbshul.com
Shaare Tefilah New Jersey Eatontown Rabbi Moshe Douek Syrian 20 Whalepond Road, Eatontownshul.com

Florida

South Florida serves as a winter retreat for many Syrian Jews from the Tri-State New York and New Jersey area.

Name Image State City Clergy Culture Address, Website
Edmond J. Safra Synagogue of Turnberry Florida Aventura Rabbi Galimidi Syrian 19275 Mystic Pointe Drive, Safraflorida.com
Shaare Zion of Florida Florida Sunny Isles Beach Rabbi Aaron Lankry Syrian 200 178th Street

California

Name Image State City Clergy Culture Address, Website
Congregation Magen David California Beverly Hills Rabbi Ariel Ovadia Syrian 322 North Foothill Road, MagenDavid.org

Maryland

Name Image State City Clergy Culture Address, Website
Magen David Sephardic Congregation Maryland Rockville Syrian 11215 Woodglen Drive, MagenDavidSephardic.org

References list

  1. ZEV CHAFETS (October 14, 2007). "The Sy Empire". New York Times. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  2. Sarina Roffé. "The Jews of Aleppo". Retrieved 28 October 2013.

External links