of Tisha B'Av. Police posted a $10,000 reward for identification of the perpetrator, but no one was ever arrested. The synagogue immediately began receiving support and funding from local and national groups and individuals. The American Jewish Congress donated $3,000 in June, which was earmarked for the purchase of new bibles and prayer books. The congregation received significant funding from the Philadelphia Jewish community, including the Jewish Federal of Greater Philadelphia, to rebuild. By 2002, the building had been restored. With the growth of membership and activities, however, the congregation sought to expand its space. After a multi-year rezoning effort, the synagogue received the go-ahead to build a larger sanctuary and a social hall. As many members were skilled contractors or had jobs in the construction industry, they contributed their time and labor to the project. The expansion was completed in 2011 and was dedicated in 2012 in a ceremony attended by then-Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Amar. Other incidents Nearly a year after the fire, vandalism was discovered on the synagogue's interior walls—including "swastikas, obscenities and dollar signs". The synagogue was in the process of reconstruction and members were conducting services in a rented storefront. Leadership Rabbi Amiram Gabay has led the congregation since its founding. His son, Eli Gabay, serves as president of the congregation. In 2009, Rabbi Moshe Haim Arbiv was hired as assistant rabbi to help cultivate new members. Arbiv and his wife Leah had been doing outreach work with Israelis living in Philadelphia for several years through the Shehebar Sephardic Center of Jerusalem. Synagogue activities Beit Harambam Congregation is an Orthodox synagogue. The prayer service follows the nusach of Edot HaMizrach. The synagogue offers daily study sessions for men, weekly Tehillim groups for women, and classes and activities for children. Assistant rabbi Moshe Haim Arbiv leads classes at 5:30 a.m. before morning prayers and also after evening prayers. Arbiv and his wife Leah have also introduced pre-holiday workshops, holiday parties, and social events both in the synagogue and in neighborhood parks. The Arbivs were involved in the successful installation of an eruv for the community, and have also launched social services such as a gemach (free-loan society), meals for the sick, and help for new mothers. Membership As of 2019, the majority of members are Hebrew-speaking Israeli expatriates. Most members are of Mizrahi descent (including Kurdish, Libyan, Iraqi, and Moroccan), although some are Ashkenazi.