#18 p 457-488.qxd 12/28/2007 9:42 AM Page 457Abir Yaacob (a Shabbat Sidur), Joseph, The Chesed Boomerang, and more. At least ten publi-cations are in work at the present time. The

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Beyda came here from Aleppo. Hequickly spread word that America wasthe place to go. Jews began arriving inlarge numbers from Damascus andAleppo. Originally, many of the Jewswho came lived on Manhattan’s LowerEast Side. From approximately 1912-1914, a movement of Syrian Jewsbegan to populate a number of Brooklynneighborhoods. The Rabbi described afeeling of awe that he gets when heenters the synagogue, a feeling of thelabor of love that went into the building’sconstruction and years of dedication.

Rabbi Moshe Shamah captured theessence of the synagogue when hesaid, “This edifice has had a major pos-itive influence on many Jews of ourcommunity.” In the mid 1940s and1950s, Rabbi Shamah prayed at thesynagogue every Saturday, absorbing the tangible feel-ing of spirituality, and wondering, how did such a mag-nificent structure come into existence way back in the1920s? The Rabbi said that though there were a num-ber of financial struggles over the years, somehow thesynagogue always prevailed. Rabbi Shamah pointedout that the synagogue can seat hundreds and canserve as a beacon to all of us for the rest of our lives.

City Councilman Simcha Felder, Chairman of thecouncil’s Landmarks Commission, told about his per-sonal connection to the synagogue and the community.Fifty years earlier, his father was an assistant to ChiefRabbi Jacob Kassin ZT”L. The councilman found it verytouching that the first landmark dedication that he waspresenting in his district was the Magen DavidSynagogue. Mr. Felder also recognized the muchappreciated presence of members of the New YorkPolice Department’s 62nd Precinct. The policemen,who were on hand to provide security, includedSergeant Collins and Officers Quelly and Borkovsky. Itis always reassuring to see some of “New York’s Finest”helping our community to remain safe.

Synagogue President Eddie Levy spoke about howproud the congregation was to receive the honor. As heput it, “Who would have dreamed the Magen DavidSynagogue would get landmark status from the great-est city in the world?”

Sam Catton joined Mr. Levy on the steps of thesynagogue and boldly declared, “The Syrian Jewishcommunity was born in this synagogue, and the

Talmud Torah next door.” Mr. Catton spoke about twospecific events in the history of the synagogue. Thefirst occurred on June 6th, 1944. As most peopleknow, that date, known as D-Day, marked the Alliedinvasion of Europe, when our troops landed on thebeaches of Normandy. People in the communitybegan to arrive at the synagogue at 2:00 in the after-noon, to pray for the success of the invasion and thesafe return of their loved ones. By 6:00 in the evening,the synagogue was packed. After evening services,the congregants learned of the success of the allies.Mr. Catton also recalled June 6th, 1967, when thecommunity learned of the outbreak of the Six Day Warin Israel. People literally ran to the synagogue to prayand try to get any details on the situation. Those gath-ered soon learned that the Israelis had destroyed theEgyptian air force before they got off the ground. Mr.Catton ended his speech by praising the city of NewYork and the United States, for without its religiousfreedom and tolerance of all people, this ceremonywould never have taken place. Finally, he led thecrowd in an emotional rendition of “G-d BlessAmerica.”

Susan H. Ball, chairman of the New YorkLandmarks Preservation Foundation, read the dedica-tion plaque after it was unveiled. For those who werethere, it was truly a historic and moving experience tosee such an important part of our history become a NewYork City landmark. A grand icon from the past can nowlive on forever.

Magen David...I M A G E W O R K S W I T H S Y N A G O G U E S T O B E N E F I T T H E C O M M U N I T Y

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T he name Edmond J. Safra is synonymous withphilanthropy and benevolence. A Lebanese-born Jew who rose to prominence in the bank-ing industry, Mr. Safra supported a remarkable

diversity of institutions and charities during his lifetime.While his legacy of giving affected Jewish communitiesworldwide, his generosity may have had its greatestimpact on the various Syrian Jewish communities in theUnited States and abroad. An example of how Mr.Safra's policy of supporting new Jewish institutions con-tinues even after his untimely death can be found in therecently completed Edmond J. Safra Synagogue.

During his lifetime, Mr. Safra was often in New YorkCity and spent many Shabbats on the Upper East Sideof Manhattan. Noting the absence of a formal syna-gogue and communal center for the Sephardim ofManhattan, Mr. Safra expressed a desire to build a cen-tral house of worship in the area. As was his practice,he moved this idea from a vision to a reality.

He asked his wife, Lily, to supervise this project per-sonally. Although Mr. Safra lived to see the groundbreak-ing for the synagogue, Mrs. Safra was left to completethis effort alone after her husband's passing.Coordinating a team of skilled artisans, Mrs. Safra com-pleted construction of the building in December 2002.Dignitaries including the Chief Rabbi of Israel and His

Honor Mayor Michael Bloomberg attended an officialinauguration of the building. Praise for the edifice wasexceeded only by praise for the man who foresaw it andhis wife who completed it. Since opening its doors inMarch of 2003, the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue hasbecome the communal center that its namesake imag-ined it would be. Under the spiritual guidance of RabbiElie Abadie, the synagogue offers regular religious serv-ices including daily minyanim, a bi-weekly Bet Midrashprogram, liturgy studies and daily tehilim readings.Moreover, the synagogue has become a prominentsocial, cultural and educational center having hostedmore than 50 events over the course of the year includ-ing parenting and cooking classes, singles events, chil-dren's programs, and political and educational lectures.

The Edmond J. Safra Synagogue is well located onthe Upper East Side of Manhattan at 11 East 63rdStreet between Madison and Fifth Avenues. It is situat-ed near many of Manhattan's finest hotels and regular-ly hosts guests from around the world. The congrega-tion is comprised of Sephardic families of MiddleEastern background and follows the Aleppo style ofprayer. The Synagogue is prepared to welcome allthose interested in spending a Shabbat in Manhattanamong this most vibrant Sephardic Jewish community.For more information please call (212) 754-9555.

Haron Shohet, Joseph Shams, Rabbi Elie Abadie, Stanley Beteshand Philip Rutstein

Purim 2003

Celebrating the First Anniversaryof the Edmond J. Safra

Synagogue

I M A G E W O R K S W I T H S Y N A G O G U E S T O B E N E F I T T H E C O M M U N I T Y

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T he spoken word, the writtenword, and the electronic word;Tiferet Torah is the headquar-ters of all three. Why would

one of our community's most respectedrabbis, Rabbi Michael Haber, choose tomove from his home of 26 years in NewJersey? Why would he leave his belovedcongregants in Deal, and the positionwhich he held for nineteen years ashead of Congregation Ohel Yaacob?The answer: He saw the enormouspotential of this new institution and feltthat it can have a major impact upon our community.

Onboard for this exciting synagogue/ torah centerare all of the following: daily and Shabbat minyanim;Gemara and halacha classes before and after prayers;women's classes on weekdays and on Shabbat after-noons; a girls' learning group on Shabbat afternoons; ayouth minyan, and more. Renowned Torah lecturers willbe featured from time to time as well.

On certain occasions, there will be a “topic of theweek,” in which the rabbi's speech, some of the classesfor men, women and children, a lecture by a well-knownpersonality and a featured message on the website willall concentrate on the same theme. Possible subjectsmight be: Shabbat observance, concern for others,kashruth—and more. Through the unique multi-mediaabilities of Tiferet Torah, various members of the samefamily will be able to concentrate on the same theme.

Rabbi Haber noted that, at one time, he was quiteconcerned that the work of Sephardic Press not be sac-rificed by the attention he would give to the new institu-tion. His feeling now is: Not only would the progress ofSephardic Press not be impeded—it would actually beenhanced. The publishing, the synagogue, the classes,the website—one would enhance the other.

As is known, Sephardic Press has published workswhich have had major impact upon our community. Thisincludes: A Woman's Prayers, A Bride's Prayers, AGroom's Prayers, Tehillim (translated and transliterated),Abir Yaacob (a Shabbat Sidur), Joseph, The Chesed

Boomerang, and more. At least ten publi-cations are in work at the present time.

The Torah is for all of us. It embod-ies all that we need to live a happy, con-tent, and most importantly, useful life. Itis the loving embrace of the Creatorwhich stays with us wherever we go.Tiferet Torah will challenge and encour-age us to improve our observance---toreach beyond our current capabilitiesand apply even more knowledge of theTorah to our everyday lives.

The physical beauty of the TorahCenter is going to match the true beauty of what itstands for. Scott Kurland, an architect from our commu-nity, has lent his skill and expertise to this project, andhas been instrumental to its progress. He has been aninvaluable asset. Moselle Tobias, one of our communi-ty's most talented decorators, has also generously ded-icated herself and her talents to this project. She will bedecorating the interior with the beauty and elegancethat she has been always known for.

It is expected that the beauty of our space will makeit quite attractive for community occasions such asmilahs, bar mitzvahs and sebits.

As Jewish people, there is a precious gift that awaitseach and every one of us when we are born into this world.Accompanying us as we journey through life, this gift isone that never stops giving: our beloved Torah. Like water,sunlight, and the air we breathe—the Torah is an essentialpart of all of our lives. It contains a blueprint for living andis the everlasting bond that ties us to our Creator.

One of the most beautiful aspects of our community isour continuously flourishing love and dedication to theways of our Torah. This can be seen in the increasingnumber of people who, in addition to regular synagogueattendance, take the added time from their busy schedulesto attend Torah classes, perform acts of hesed, and more.

Tiferet Torah will challenge us to maintain our com-mitment and to carry it further. For this reason, we awaitthe opening of this exciting new institution and wish itcontinued success.


Rabbi Michael Haber EstablishesNew Synagogue/Torah Center

in Brooklyn

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Maimonides Medical CenterDedicates Synagogue

& Sephardic CommunityDonates Sefer Torah

T he Jewish community ofBrooklyn recently celebratedthe dedication of Maimonides'Jewish chapel as Beth Hillel

Synagogue. Al Sutton, a Trustee ofMaimonides, and other members of theSephardic community, had a SeferTorah brought from Israel for the occa-sion. While it is customary to makesuch a presentation at a synagoguededication, this was the first such cere-mony to take place in a hospital setting.

Mr. Sutton, whose parents arememorialized in the synagogue'sname, expressed his family's joy. “What better way toremember my parents than by linking their memory to aplace dedicated to preserving physical health and spiri-tual health?”

Over 500 people attended the reception in a largetent erected for the occasion. The ceremony included ajubilant procession through the streets surrounding themedical center, while the Sefer Torah was carried undera canopy. Music and the voice of Cantor RabbiYehezkel Zion accompanied joyful proclamationsthroughout the festivities.

“It is very appropriate—the presentation of a SeferTorah to a hospital,” said Chief Chaplain ofMaimonides, Rabbi Avrum Friedlander. “The Torah rep-resents life and healing. King Solomon wrote, ‘For theteachings of the Torah are life for someone who findsthem and they heal his whole body.’”

Martin D. Payson, Maimonides Chairman of theBoard, thanked the Sutton family and other members ofthe Sephardic Community for honoring Maimonideswith this extraordinary gesture. He encouraged allpatients and guests of the medical center to visit thesynagogue for added strength in their journey to goodhealth.

Rabbi Hillel Haber of Shaare Torah Yeshiva spokemovingly in the synagogue when the Torah was placed

within. Among the many religious lead-ers who participated in the ceremonieswere Rabbi Shaul Kassin, Chief Rabbiof the Sephardic Community; RabbiZvulun Lieberman of Beth TorahCongregation; Rabbi Isaac Dwek ofDeal Synagogue; and Rabbi HaroldSutton of Bnei Yitzchak Congregation.

Stanley Brezenoff, MaimonidesPresident and Chief Executive Officer,thanked all whose efforts contributed tothe day's events. He expressed thetremendous gratitude felt by the entirecommunity of Maimonides for having

this honor bestowed upon the medical center.“Spirituality,” he said, “is linked inexorably to the healingprocess. Maimonides is proud to join in this historicoccasion.”

The members of the Sephardic Community whomade this generous gift possible are:

Mr. & Mrs. Jack AdjmiJoe Esses & Sons Abe and EddieMr. & Mrs. Manny HaberMr. & Mrs. Hiram HaddadMr. & Mrs. Ezra HamwayMoe Maleh & FamilyMrs. Edmond Sassoon & FamilyJoe Shalom & FamilyThe Shamah Family

Izzy Shamah & FamilyBarbara & Alan Shweky, Jack & ClaireMr. & Mrs. Hal SittMr. & Mrs. Al H. SuttonMr. & Mrs. Alfred SuttonMr. & Mrs. Buddy SuttonEli Sutton & FamilyMr. & Mrs. Mike SuttonMr. & Mrs. Miro SuttonMr. & Mrs. Morris SuttonJerry Ezra Sutton.


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W ith foresight andvision, a smallgroup of community mem-

bers, aided by an outpouring ofhelp from friends and neighborsin the community, set out to cre-ate a much-needed SyrianSephardic synagogue in the newupcoming neighborhood of Madison in Brooklyn. Withtheir combined efforts and contributions, a newSephardic synagogue has opened, CongregationShaare Shalom, located at 2021 Ave. S (corner of East21st St.) in Brooklyn.

Joey Torgueman, David Shalam and Joey Fallack,members of the executive committee at Shaare Shalom,have revitalized the Syrian community in the Madisonarea with the new synagogue. Their concentratedendeavors to build a synagogue immersed in SyrianSephardic tradition and conveniently located near thecommunity have finally culminated during the HighHoliday season. The synagogue was opened for themany new young Syrian Sephardic families that havemoved into the Madison area from the Ocean Parkwayarea. The families have been looking for a place to praythat was similar to the synagogues in their old neighbor-hoods and Shaare Shalom has answered that call.

“The entire project was a miracle, and miracles hap-pen when you're working with your heart in a holy proj-ect. Hashem helped us with everything, including manyparticipants who contributed with their hearts andefforts,” said Joey Torgueman.

David Shalam, whose home was used for prayersuntil the synagogue was ready, said, “Our dream is tohave a synagogue that offers daily prayers as well asnightly programs and Torah classes. As our name sig-nifies, we want to be a model community synagoguefocusing on Kiddush Hashem while creating a spark forfurther Torah learning.”

The synagogue is steeped in the Syrian Sephardictradition. Shaare Shalom firmly follows the customs ofAram Soba. “We follow the same customs, prayers andtraditions that have been followed by our fathers andgrandfathers who came from Syria, and from all overthe Middle East,” Joey Fallack said proudly.

The building where the syna-gogue now resides was acquiredprior to the summer. During thesummer months many membersof the community contributedtheir time, effort and money tobeautifully renovate ShaareShalom Synagogue. At the endof the summer the results of the

hard work could be seen. The building was renovated toallow the maximum seating capacity and was equippedwith a brand new Bimah, an elegant Aron, new lighting,air-conditioning, carpeting and new seats that fit 175 atcapacity. Shaare Shalom Synagogue was ready for theHigh Holidays.

During the first High Holidays ever for ShaareShalom, the synagogue was packed to capacity. RabbiAvraham Priel presided over the services during theholiday season, gave inspiring sermons and contributeda holy presence to Shaare Shalom. The famous cantorsRabbi Raphael El-Nadav and Joseph El-Nadav con-ducted the holiday services. Everyone in the synagogueheard their beautiful voices. “I enjoyed the services. Theatmosphere was very warm and it was a privilege tohear the superb hasanut of Rabbi El-Nadav and his sonJoseph,” said Jack Rahmey, a member of the congre-gation. “In addition, Rabbi El-Nadav's personality addeda special touch to the holidays,” he added.

Rabbi Priel puts his time and effort into all the activ-ities in Shaare Shalom, including daily morning andevening minyanim, giving Torah classes, leading thedaily slichot (penitential poems and prayers) and ofcourse the holiday services. Rabbi Avraham Priel, afamiliar figure in the community, previously served as aRabbi in the Magen David Congregation in West Deal,NJ, for five years and is a member of the SephardicRabbinical Council. He was inspired by the enthusiasm,dedication and unity of the members of the synagoguewho have helped build this synagogue L'shemShamayim. Rabbi Priel foresees a great potential forgrowth of the synagogue.

“Rabbi Priel always greets us and is always eagerto meet us personally. We all feel welcomed,” saidMichael Matsas, a young member of thecongregation.

Shaare ShalomNew Syrian Sephardic Shul Graces the Community

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The Sephardic Lebanese Congregation

Rabbi Emiritus Abraham Hecht, Chief Rabbi of Israel RabbiMordechai Eliyahu, Rabbi Eliahu Elbaz,

and President Dr. Isaac Madeb


T he Sephardic Lebanese Congregation, or KolEliyahu Synagogue, located at 805 Avenue T,is a grand synagogue, positioned on the streetin a distinctly unique way which makes it wel-

coming and inviting, beckoning all to enter its doors.And it certainly has succeeded in drawing people in.The congregation, which originally consisted of roughly80 people, now has 300-400 families that pray there,and gets 1,000 people on the High Holy Days. It isbursting with activity on the weekdays as well. Many ofus have already been privileged to celebrate manyhappy occasions there.

Ten years ago, a group of Lebanese men wereusing a small midrash in the Ahi Ezer senior citizensbuilding for their prayers. Thanks in part to Mr. NouriDayan A”H and Mr. Marvin Azrak, who allowed the mento use this space, this became an active minyan. As theamount of people in the minyan began to grow, theydecided to collect funds to start a synagogue of theirown. With the help of community members here andabroad, along with a significant donation from theLebanese community in Brazil, a sufficient amount ofmoney was raised. Through the dedication of Dr. IsaacMadeb, who today is the synagogue’s president, alongwith the executive committee, this synagogue was final-ly on its way to being built. There was a groundbreakingceremony which was attended by many, including theformer Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu.

Entering SLC, one is immediately struck by the sheerbeauty of this synagogue. Managing to be both majesticand simple at the same time, its entrance hall is bright,airy, spacious and grand. Everything in the lobby is craft-ed in the finest taste, from the beautifully etched glassdoors to the opulent marble floors and crystal chande-liers. The main dome where the prayers are held is trulya sight to see. The room itself is structured with high ceil-ings beset by a lovely dome. The men pray downstairsand the women are seated in the upstairs with a beauti-ful view above and below. Located downstairs is thesocial hall, a lovely circular shaped room that is perfectfor all festivities and celebrations. Many of the most mag-nificent parties have already been held here.

It is not only the aesthetics of this synagogue that makeit so special, it is the people who have committed them-selves to the creation of this synagogue along with themany acts of hesed and projects that the synagogue isinvolved in. Today SLC continues to thrive. One of the mainobjectives of SLC is to be “the forerunner of new ideas withits focus being the new generation.” It has developed astrong core foundation and runs all kinds of programs ded-icated to the benefit of its congregants and the community.Several classes and shiurim are given daily to facilitate thecommunity's understanding of the Torah and further theirspiritual growth. There is an active children’s program onShabbat.

The congregation works closely with Bikur Holim. SLChas also set up their own special fund within the synagoguethat provides for those who cannot afford to send their chil-dren to yeshivah. This synagogue will do whatever is pos-sible to raise money for these and various other funds.

There are numerous other acts of hesed. SLC has alovely tradition of bringing a minyan, complete withprayer books and pamphlets, to Aruba for the communi-ty members who are on winter vacation. Dr. Madeb hasa special Torah which he brings on this vacation andlends to others who are going away. These are justsome of the many admirable acts and accomplishmentsthis synagogue has undertaken so far, a testimony to theseemingly tireless work of its leaders.

As Dr. Madeb, the president, clearly stated, “Thereis no obstacle or challenge too big or intimidating whenit comes to the development of the synagogue. I amprepared to do whatever is necessary for this syna-gogue, and I will do the very best.”

One of the crowning glories and achievements of SLC isits publication of a vast array of magnificently bound and beau-tifully crafted prayer books. Due to the efforts of Rabbi Elbaz,Dr. Madeb and Mr. Albert Mouhadeb, SLC publishes manyprayer books that are simple to read and practical in use.

So it is no wonder that SLC has grown into a rich thriv-ing congregation so rapidly. It continuously surpasses itself inservice and excellence. It offers so much to its congregantsand our community as a whole; it will undoubtedly continueto thrive and most definitely have a blessed future.

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In the Summer of 2002, Congregation MagenDavid of West Deal celebrated its 25th anniversarywith a festive sebit and lunch, bringing togetherrabbis and hazanim from synagogues throughout

the community. In particular, the synagogue paid spe-cial tribute to Rabbi Ezra Labaton, whose tireless effortshave made the West Deal Synagogue a vital communi-ty institution—vital, and unique, because it reflects themany special qualities of its rabbi.

First among these qualities is an abiding concernfor the well-being of others. Rabbi Labaton has spentcountless hours teaching, encouraging,supporting, advising, consoling and cajol-ing community members both in and outof his congregation. His ability to listen to,and empathize with, problems of everyconceivable type—within and betweenindividuals, families and communities—has not merely repaired or saved relation-ships— his way has itself inspired his ben-eficiaries to follow suit. And in so doing,Rabbi Labaton has transformed us intoagents of compassion and giving. Just ashort list of the programs sponsored bythe synagogue over the years serves to demonstratethis.

For many years, the West Deal Synagogue spon-sored barbecues every Sunday night for singles in thesummer so that they could meet in a proper atmos-phere. These barbecues were the precursor to YoungMagen David (YMD), an organization run by our youththat not only provides opportunities to socialize, but tolearn Torah and to do hesed as well.

The Yahad Shabbaton, administered by YMD eachyear for the past decade, brings scores of developmen-tally delayed and disabled children to the synagogue.Hosted by families from the congregation, the Yahadkids are given a chance to celebrate a Shabbat withspecial meals and songs together with others.

Every Sunday during the spring and summer, oldermembers of the community run card games and lunch-es in the Youth Center. Each summer the synagoguehosts a Senior Citizens Day, complete with lunch andnobeh. Many of the senior citizens come by bus fromBrooklyn just for the occasion.

Add to the list health fairs: ‘Be Nice to Mom’ lunch-es and dinners, Hanukah recitals, Purim parties andfood drives and the donations made through the rabbi's

special “Hesed Fund,” and it is virtually impossible to bea member of our synagogue and not be both a recipientas well as a provider of hesed.

That such a diverse congregation—Syrians fromDamascus and Aleppo (Halabis and Shamis), Israeli,Egyptian, Moroccan and Turkish, with a sizableAshkenaz contingent—can flourish, attests to a will thatthe synagogue’s, and the community’s, common valuesoverride their differences, a will that has been cultivatedby Rabbi Labaton. In West Deal, the members do notjust belong to the congregation, they know and feel that

they belong to a family, too.Such a diverse congregation means

that learning at Magen David has alwaysbeen exciting. From the daily learning ofhalacha after minyan, to the rabbi's long-standing classes in ParashatHashavuah, Nabi, and science andJudaism, his philosophy has alwaysbeen that there is no question that can-not be asked of, and answered by,halacha. The Torah deals with allaspects of life and so there is nothingthat is taboo.

But as Rabbi Labaton has made abundantly clear,it is not enough to learn. One has to practice as well. Hehas made social and political action a top priority andthe list of causes in which he has engaged his commu-nity is a long one. The members of West DealSynagogue have always been very active with Jewishcauses throughout the world.

The synagogue has hosted and participated innumerous events and rallies on behalf of Soviet Jewry,Syrian Jewry and Ethiopian Jewry. They have spon-sored a Sefer Torah for the Jews of Croatia, and they’vecollected one-and-a-half million pennies to commemo-rate the loss of the more than one million children whowere murdered in the Holocaust and dedicated amemorial to the cause.

Under the leadership and direction of RabbiLabaton, by declaration and by deed, CongregationMagen David of West Deal has become a force in andbeyond our community—a force for hesed, a force forpassion and perspective in the study of Torah, a forcefor dedication and persistence in the implementation ofTorah. They are one of the voices in the harmony ofvoices that makes the song of the community of AramSoba in America so sweet.

Congregation Magen David of West Deal

Celebrates Its Silver Anniversary

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Asmall group of men prayed together in the garagein the backyard of Jack E. Mamiye’s Deal house.That was from 1981 to 1984. Today the smallgroup has grown to a shul bustling with activity.

Ohel Yaacob stands tall in the summer sun, bright withan earth-colored brick facade and newly washed stainedglass windows, one for each of the 12 tribes of Israel.Located on Ocean and Lawrence Avenues at the northerntip of Deal, Ohel Yaacob is actually half in Deal and half inElberon, serving people in both communities.

“We started the shul because a few of the men could-n’t walk to the Deal Synagogue and we wanted to make iteasy for the older people who can’t walk. So we made ashul in the carriage house. The first week we had 22 peo-ple, then 40, then up to 120 people on a Saturday. It wasdoing very well,” said Jack E. Mamiye, one of the shul’sfounders.

“For three years we prayed in the carriage house onthe property of our home at 54 Roosevelt in Deal. Weturned the carriage house into a shul. We had a bar mitz-vah in the house and engagements. It was like a regularshul. We had two Sefer Torahs and the bimah. Everythingwas there. Every Friday my wife prepared and on Saturdayin the afternoon, Isaac Gindi gave classes,” he said.

“Then it got so filled up, we had to rent a tent for theHigh Holidays. We made Rosh Hashanah in the backyard.We had over 200 people that year. Rabbi Jacob S. KassinA''H had services with us. That’s why the shul is namedafter him. Moe Gindi was our cantor. Rabbi Hecht alsocame to visit us then,” continued Mr. Mamiye.

“Over the years, we put all the donations into a kittyuntil we could afford to buy the land on the corner. On RoshHashanah, we raised $250,000 and we bought the lot onthe corner of Ocean and Lawrence Avenues. From that lotwe built the shul,” said Mr. Mamiye.

“What began as a summer shul, started by summerresidents, grew tremendously,” said Rabbi Michael Haber.

“People like Victor Azrak A”H who had the foresight tobuild and expand the synagogue to its present shape gaveme the inspiration to be a part of a very nice synagogue atthe Jersey Shore. I guess I would be partial in saying thatthe success of our synagogue is a quiet secret many havediscovered,” said Charles S. Haddad, a year-round residentand past president.

“Slowly but surely we started attracting people in thearea. Now we have a minyan on Shabbat and every day ofthe year in the morning and afternoon,” said Rabbi Haber“In the summertime,” the Rabbi added, “we are graced bythe presence of Rabbi Baruch Ben-Haim. He is one of ourcommunity's treasures. He adds a very important dimen-

sion to our synagogue and to the entire Jersey Shore.”“Our shul is highly regarded by a lot of people that go

to other shuls. They enjoy the relaxed feeling they get whenthey come there,” said Mr. Haddad.

Mr. Dwek, treasurer of Ohel Yaacob, said that once theoriginal shul was built, Mr. Azrak A”H took on the project ofacquiring the land adjacent to the shul for the social hall.

The most recent project was to purchase another par-cel of land next to the shul for future expansion, a dreamrealized by Victor Azrak A'H prior to his death.

“Named for Rabbi Jacob S. Kassin A”H, Ohel Yaacobwelcomes all the people who live around the Lawrence andOcean Avenue area,” said Ike Kassin, the shul’s currentpresident. “We have several hundred members. It’s a veryactive shul. We have lots of bar mitzvahs, brit milahs andweddings. We also have many types of classes.”

“We like the shul to be happy. We have a lot of fun.Everyone who comes, loves the shul,” said Mr. Kassin.

Ike Kassin has served as president for eight out of theshul’s 14-year existence. He is described as the “drivingforce behind synagogue operations.” Mr. Kassin doeseverything from dues collections to overseeing the billing.

“There isn’t anything Ike doesn’t do to make that syna-gogue first class. He spends six months a year in shul,” saidCharles S. Haddad, vice president. “It’s a great feeling see-ing the smiles on the faces of the people on a regular basis.”

The founders of the shul are David Franco A”H, JackE. Mamiye, Albert D. Sutton A”H, Victor Azrak A”H, IsaacKassin, Albert Dwek and Moe Gindi. Known as theLawrence Avenue synagogue, the founders adopted theby-laws used by Shaare Zion Congregation of Brooklyn.

The community celebrates the grand opening of the Ohel Yaacob Synagogue


Ohel Yaacob:A Model of Synagogue Growth

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The synagogue at the Ocean Parkway cornerof Avenue R was the first synagogue built in theUnited States by immigrants from the EgyptianJewish community. Its main purpose was to uniteand provide a spiritual home to the many Jews whoarrived from Egypt and to maintain and preservethe customs and liturgy unique to the Egyptiancommunity.

The building committee was made up of threeoutstanding individuals, Joseph Barnathan,Salomon Harari and Gabriel Chebebar A”H.Together they worked for many, many years, untilfinally seeing their collective dream come to fruition.With the help of a loan from Mr. Edmond Safra A”H,the synagogue building was completed in 1979 andthe first services were held on Rosh Hashana 5780.

Ahaba Ve Ahva

This synagogue was built around 1970. The found-ing president was Mr. Eli “Lou” Roffe. The first spiritualleader was Rabbi Sion Maslaton, the son of RabbiMourad Maslaton. The present rabbi of this synagogueis Rabbi Hanania Elbaz a graduate of Mirrer Yeshiva.

On the same premises, new construction waseventually started and at the completion it housed thenew Ahi Ezer Yeshiva school named and dedicatedfor Rabbi Mourad Mordechai Maslaton in 1976. Itcontains many classrooms with a large lunchroomand a synagogue on the ground floor dedicated bythe Bibi and Dayan families.

Ahaba Ve Ahva

Ahi Ezer, Avenue X


A group of men residing in the Avenue P and OceanParkway area, led by Mr. Eddie Sitt, the son of JosephSitt A”H, felt that a synagogue was necessary for theever-growing number of Syrian Jews living in that sec-tion.

Eddie Sitt proceeded to build a beautiful synagoguethere on the corner of Avenue P and Ocean Parkwayand named it Bnei Yosef. Eddie and his brother Jackcontributed a donation which covered the cost of puttingup this beautiful edifice. The number of worshipperswho attend this synagogue morning and night is simplyunbelievable. Minha services start in the early afternoonfollowed by Arbit and continue until 10pm at night.Some 50-100 men attend each minyan.

Bnei Yosef

Ahi EzerSynagogue of Avenue X

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Kol Israel

This synagogue was established in 1968. Some ofthe members decided to have a fancy breakfast everymorning in order to attract a bigger attendance. Thecontinued growth of the congregation made them real-ize that they needed a special synagogue building.They formed a building committee headed by Eli D.Cohen and Stanley Cayre, and within three years theywere able to build a magnificent synagogue. In the inter-im, they prayed in the Yeshivah of Flatbush gym and onone occasion put up a tent.

Rabbi Shlomo Lankry erected a beautiful building onEast 7th Street between Kings Highway and Avenue R.

On the upper floor, this building has a kollel withyoung men studying daily. The lower floor has a beau-tiful synagogue designed along Middle East décor. Theseating accommodates 150 men and 75 women. Thissynagogue is very unusual in that it admits worshipperswho are unable to pay.

Beth Torah

Har Halebanon


Congregation Beth Torah was established in1956. A small group consisting of Abdo Sultan,Irving Maleh, Moe E. Tawil, Joe Gindi, IzzyShamah and several others who had moved intothe Midwood section of Brooklyn were determinedto have a Syrian Sephardic synagogue.

The first services were held in the Club 100, abuilding housing a social club. Sabbath serviceswere often delayed until congregants had knockedon neighborhood doors in order to gather a min-yan. Fortunately, the congregation grew rapidly aspeople kept moving into the neighborhood oncethey were aware that a local synagogue had beenestablished.

Ohel MosheSynagogue and Kollel

Salim Chkouri, who is also the gabbai (synagogueofficial), founded this congregation in 1969. It began asa minyan that came together just for the High Holidaysin 1969, in the Apperion Manor, which is now LeMarquis on Kings Highway.

Their rabbi, Rabbi David Jemal, was there withthem from the beginning. Rabbi Clem Harari is alsowith them. The Hazzanim in the beginning wereRabbi David Jemal, Joseph Hadid and IsaacChkouri. The new Hazzan as of 2002 is YaakovHamra.

Har HalebanonBeth TorahCongregation

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Personal Photos for family and friends to see with password

Place Your Photoson ImageUSA.com

Go to

www.ImageUSA.comSephardic Community Website

Community Photos for everyone to see

• Bake Sales• Group Trips• Tournaments• Community Events• Bar/Bat Mitzvahs• Parties

Place Your Photoson ImageUSA.com

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A Community Collage

For the past 18 years, IMAGE Magazine has been attending community functions. Ateach of these events, dozens of photos are taken, leaving IMAGE with oodles of pic-tures of community members! Here is a smattering of pics from our archive. Can youfind yourself or a family member? For more current photos go to www.imageusa.com.

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Visit www.imageusa.com for more current community photos

Upload your pictures onto www.imageusa.com for the community to see.

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Documents

#18 p 457-488.qxd 12/28/2007 9:42 AM Page 457Abir Yaacob (a Shabbat Sidur), Joseph, The Chesed Boomerang, and more. At least ten publi-cations are in work at the present time. The