Syrian Jewish communities of the United States
Introduction 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, Deal, New Jersey and Miami. In 2007, the population of the New York and New Jersey communities was estimated at 90,000.
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 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. 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:*'''Congregation Shaare Zion''', 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 1970s. Until his passing on December 1, 2018, the synagogue held the seat of Chief Rabbi Saul J. Kassin II. The Rabbi's father Rabbi Jacob S. Kassin I, 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.In his will, Chief Rabbi Saul J. Kassin II passed down his seat as the Chief Rabbi to his firstborn grandson, Rabbi Saul J. Kassin III (his own firstborn son, Jacob S. Kassin II, is not a rabbi). The current Chief Rabbi Saul J. Kassin III is the head rabbi of Congregation Magen David of West Deal and rosh yeshivah of Hillel Yeshiva. Another important rabbinic figure for a number of years was Rabbi Abraham Hecht. But due to conflicting political interests during the 1990s, 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, and Rabbi Raymond Beyda. The synagogue generally serves the Aleppo or (Halabi) Syrian community. *'''Congregation 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 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s. 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 Commission. By 2004, the building was certified and listed with the National Register of Historic Places.Partial view of the Sephardic Community Center in Brooklyn, 2020In 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.===Synagogues===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:NameImageStateCityClergyCultureAddress, website Ahaba Ve Ahva center New York Brooklyn Rabbis Jack Savdie, Meyer Barnathan, and Shaul Chamoula Egyptian 1744 Ocean Parkway,  Ahaba.org Ahaba Ve Ahva Congregation & Yeshiva center New York Brooklyn Egyptian 2001 East 7th Street Ahi Ezer Congregation center 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 N Sephardic Congregation New York Brooklyn Syrian 321 Avenue N Avenue O Synagogue, Ohel Yeshua VeSarah New York Brooklyn Rabbi MosheArking Syrian 808 Avenue Oaveo.shulcloud.com Ateret Torah New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yosef Harari Raful Sephardic Haredim 901 Quentin Road Beth Aharon Sephardic Synagogue of Riverdale New York The Bronx Syrian 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway East Bet Shaul U'Miriam center New York Brooklyn Rabbi David Cohen Syrian 2208 Avenue S Congregation Beth-El of Flatbush New York Brooklyn Rabbi Ani Syrian – Shami 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 Syrian 2108 Ocean Parkway,  BethYosef.com B'nai Yosef Synagogue center New York Brooklyn Rabbi Haim Benoliel Syrian, Sephardic Haredim 1616 Ocean Parkway,  BnaiYosef.com Bnei Binyamin Torah Center New York Brooklyn Rabbi David Seruya Sephardic Haredim 727 Avenue O Congregation Bnei Ovadia New York Brooklyn Syrian 1922 East 8th Street Bnei Shelomo V'Yaffa center New York Brooklyn Rabbi Eliezer Zeytouneh Syrian – Shami 1305 Gravesend Neck Road Bnei Yehuda Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yohai Cohen Syrian – Qamishli 2296 Coney Island Avenue Congregation Bnei Yitzhak New York Brooklyn Rabbi Joey Mizrahi Syrian 730 Avenue S,  Bneiyitzhakweb.org The Edmond J Safra Synagogue center New York Brooklyn Rabbi Eli Mansour Syrian 1801 Ocean Parkway,  ejss.org Congregation Beit Edmond center New York Manhattan Rabbi Shlomo Farhi Syrian 11 East 63rd Street,  ejsny.org Emek Hatorah Congregation center New York Brooklyn Syrian, Sephardic Haredim 1781 Ocean Parkway,  EmekHatorah.com Congregation Har HaLebanon center New York Brooklyn Rabbi David Jemal, Rabbi Clem Harari, Rabbi Yaakov Mizrahi Lebanese/Shami 820 Avenue S Hayim Shaal Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Mordechai Maslaton Syrian 1123 Avenue N Congregation Mishkan Torah New York Brooklyn Rabbi Eli Cohen Syrian 718 Avenue S Kehilat Bnei Yaakov center New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yaakov Farhi Syrian 630 Avenue S Kehilat Derech Yeshara New York Brooklyn Rabbi Avraham Benhamu Syrian 1784 E 17th St, Brooklyn, NY 11229,  Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun Sephardic Minyan New York Manhattan Rabbi Meyer Laniado Syrian 125 East 85th Street,  ckj.org/sephardicdailyservices Keter Sion Torah Center New York Brooklyn Rabbi Max Maslaton Sephardic Haredim 1914 East 8th Street,  Ketersion.com Keter Torah Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Moshe Harari Raful Sephardic Haredim 2220 Avenue L Kol Israel Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Tawil, Rabbi Shweky, Rabbi Zabulani Syrian 3211 Bedford Avenue,  Kolisrael.org Congregation Kol Yaakov New York Brooklyn Rabbi David Mansour Lebanese 1703 McDonald Avenue Kollel Ohel Moshe New York Brooklyn 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,  mabshul.com Magen David Synagogue of Manhattan New York Manhattan Rabbi Maimon Maman Syrian 177 Sullivan Street,  MagenDavidNY.org Magen David of Scarsdale New York Scarsdale Syrian 1225 Weaver Street,  MagenDavidScarsdale.org Magen David Synagogue of Staten Island New York Staten Island Syrian 192 Braisted Avenue Magen David Synagogue New York Brooklyn  Rabbi Joey Haber, Rabbi Ezra Cohen Saban Syrian 2130 McDonald Avenue,  Magendavidsynagogue.org Manhattan East Synagogue New York Manhattan Syrian 1231 3rd Avenue,  Mesny.org Manhattan Sephardic Congregation New York Manhattan Rabbi Raphael Benchimol 325 East 75th Street,  Sepharad.org Midrash Moshe ben Maimon Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yair Alfieh Syrian – Shami 59 Gravesend Neck Road Mill Basin Sephardic Congregation New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yirmi Levy Syrian 2133 East 64th Street,  MillBasinsc.com Mishkan Yerushalaim New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yehoshua Alfieh Syrian – Shami 520 Avenue X Mikdash Eliyahu Synagogue New York Brooklyn Rabbi Avi Harari, Syrian 2145 East 2nd Street,  Mikdasheliyahu.org Mikdash Melech New York Brooklyn Rabbi Chaim Benoliel, Rabbi Beyda Syrian 1326 Ocean Parkway The Ohel Moshe Synagogue Synagogue New York Manhattan Syrian 130 East 82nd Street,  MoiseSafraCenter.org/the-Ohel-Moshe-Synagogue Netivot Israel Congregation center New York Brooklyn Rabbi Gad Bouskila Moroccan 1617 Ocean Parkway Ohel David & Shlomo – Torath Israel Sephardic Congregation center New York Brooklyn Rabbi Abe Faur Syrian 710 Shore Boulevard,  Ohelds.com Congregation Ohr Eliyahu New York Brooklyn Rabbi David Khasky Syrian 702 Avenue O Congregation Ohel Moshe New York Brooklyn Rabbi Moshe Levy Syrian 1601 Avenue P Persian Congregation of Flatbush New York Brooklyn Rabbi Shmuel Soleimani Persian 1434 Ocean Parkway Sephardic Congregation of the Five Towns New York Cedarhurst Rabbi Mordechai Ben-Haim Syrian 539 Oakland Avenue,  ShaareEmunah.org Sephardic Jewish Center of Forest Hills New York Queens Syrian 6767 108th Street Shaare Congregation KGH New York Queens Syrian 141-41 72nd Avenue  Sephardic Lebanese Congregation center New York Brooklyn Rabbi Eliyahu ElbazRabbi Abraham Hayoun Lebanese/Shami 805 Avenue T,  Slcshul.com Sephardic Institute Synagogue New York Brooklyn Rabbi Moshe Shamah, Rabbi Ronald Barry Syrian 511 Avenue R,  Judaic.org Sephardic Torah Center of Marine Park New York Brooklyn Syrian 3602 Quentin Road Congregation Shaare Rahamim New York Brooklyn Rabbi Shlomo Churba Syrian 1244 East 7th Street Shaare Zion of Great Neck New York Great Neck Persian 25 Devon Road Shaare Zion of Hollis Hills New York Queens Syrian 80-02 209th Street  HollisHillsMikveh.com Congregation Shaare Shalom center New York Brooklyn Syrian, Egyptian 2021 Avenue S,  Shaareshalom.com Shevet Achim Congregation center New York Brooklyn Rabbi Yosheyahu Shammah, Rabbi Yosef Hamra Syrian – Shami 708 Avenue T Shevet Achim Youth Congregation center New York BrooklynRabbi Yosheyahu Shammah Syrian – Shami 706 Avenue T Shuva Israel New York Brooklyn Persian 2015 Avenue R Tiferet Shaul Congregationthumb New York Brooklyn Rabbi Michael Haber, Rabbi Moshe Haber Syrian 1747 East 2nd Street,  tiferetshaul.com West Side Sephardic Synagogue New York Manhattan Syrian 120 West 76th Street,  wsssynagogue.com Yad Yosef Torah Center New York Brooklyn Rabbi David Ozeri, Rabbi David Sutton Syrian 1032 Ocean Parkway,  yadyosef.org 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
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.NameImageStateCityClergyCultureAddress, Website Bet Rachel New Jersey West Long Branch Rabbi David Tawil Syrian 48 Larchwood Avenue  Edmond J. Safra Synagogue of Deal Joseph S. Jemal synagogue (an extension of the Hathaway shul)  New Jersey Deal Rabbi Isaac Farhi Syrian 75 Hathaway Avenue,  Safrashulnj.org Sephardic Center of Fair Lawn New Jersey Fair Lawn Syrian 40-34 Terhune Place  Sephardic Congregation of Fort Lee New Jersey Fort Lee Syrian 313 Tom Hunter Road  SephardicFortLee.org Sephardic Congregation of Paramus New Jersey Paramus Syrian 140 Arnot Place  SCOParamus.org Logan Road Synagogue New Jersey Ocean Township Rabbi Sion Ozeri Syrian 1200 Roseld Avenue  Magen David of West Deal New Jersey West Deal Rabbi Saul J. Kassin, Rabbi Albert Setton, Rabbi Joseph Dana Syrian 395 Deal Road,  Westdealshul.org Shaarei Orah New Jersey Teaneck Syrian 1425 Essex Road  SephardicTeaneck.org Magen David Congregation New Jersey Bradley Beach  Syrian 101 5th Avenue Synagogue of Deal center New Jersey Deal Rabbi Edmond NahumRabbi David OzeriRabbi Meyer Yedid Syrian  128 Norwood Avenue,  DealShul.org Synagogue of Oakhurst New Jersey Oakhurst Rabbi Jack Mevorah Syrian  280 South Lincoln Avenue Ohel Simha New Jersey Long Branch Rabbi Shemuel Choueka Syrian 295 Park Avenue,  Ohelsimha.com Ohel Yaacob New Jersey DealRabbi Moshe Malka, Rabbi Eli Mansour 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 NahemSyrian  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 Bnei Moshe  New Jersey EatontownRabbi Moshe Douek, Rabbi Norman Cohen Syrian 20 Whalepond Road,  Eatontownshul.com
Florida South Florida serves as a winter retreat for many Syrian Jews from Brooklyn and the New York metropolitan area. The majority spend the winter season in the opulent gated community of Turnberry Isle and the surrounding communities, located within the City of Aventura. There they live according to the Jewish and Sephardic traditions of benefiting the community by studying Torah, prayer, and performing acts of kindness.NameImageStateCityClergyCultureAddress, Website Beit Rambam Florida Sunny Isles Beach Syrian 17700 Collins Avenue  BeitRambam.org Bukharian Sephardic Jewish Center Florida Miami Beach Syrian 4016 Royal Palm Drive Congregation Magen David of North Miami Beach Florida North Miami Beach Syrian 17100 NE 6th Avenue  MagenDavidNMB.com  Edmond J. Safra Synagogue of Turnberry Florida Aventura Rabbi Galimidi Syrian 19275 Mystic Pointe Drive,  Safraflorida.com Hechal Shalom Sephardic Shul Florida Surfside Syrian 310 95th Street  HechalShalom.org Magen David Congregation Florida Surfside Syrian 9348 Harding Avenue  MagenDavidCongregation.com Sephardic Center Kollel Florida Surfside Syrian 9524 Abbott Avenue,  Sephardic-Center.org Shaare Tzion Sephardic Synagogue Florida Sunny Isles Beach Syrian 242-256 174th Street  Shaare Ezra Sephardic Congregation Florida Miami Beach Rabbi Sova Syrian  945 41st Street,  ShaareEzra.us Nahar Shalom Florida Fort Lauderdale Rabbi David Botton Syrian, Egyptian  3489 Griffin Rd,  NaharShalom.com Temple Moses Sephardic Congregation Florida Miami Beach Syrian 1200 Normandy Drive  TempleMoses.com
California NameImageStateCityClergyCultureAddress, WebsiteYoung Sephardic Community Center(YSCC)CaliforniaLos Angeles Rabbi Daniel CavalierSyrian, Moroccan9051 W. Pico Boulevard,  YSCCLA.com Congregation Magen David California Beverly Hills Rabbi Benzion Benshimon Syrian, Persian 322 North Foothill Road,  MagenDavid.org
Michigan NameImageStateCityClergyCultureAddress, Website Keter Torah Synagogue Michigan West Bloomfield Township Rabbi Sasson Syrian, Mountain Jewish  5480 Orchard Lake Road,  RabbiSasson/Keter
Pennsylvania NameImageStateCityClergyCultureAddress, Website Beit Harambam Congregation Pennsylvania Philadelphia Rabbi Amiram GabayRabbi Moshe Haim Arbiv Israeli 9981 Verree Road
References
External links * Sephardic and Syrian Jews in Manhattan