# 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, Deal, New Jersey, Manhattan, 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 (son of the last Chief Rabbi of Aleppo, Rabbi Yomtob 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.
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.

### 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:
| Name | State | City | Clergy | Culture | Address, website |
| Ahaba Ve Ahva | New York | Brooklyn | Rabbis Jack Savdie, Meyer Barnathan, and Shaul Chamoula | Egyptian | 1744 Ocean Parkway, Ahaba.org |
| Ahaba Ve Ahva Congregation & 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 N Sephardic Congregation | New York | Brooklyn | | Syrian | 321 Avenue N |
| Avenue O Synagogue, Ohel Yeshua VeSarah | New York | Brooklyn | Rabbi Moshe Arking | Syrian | 808 Avenue O aveo.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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | New York | Brooklyn | Rabbi Eli Mansour | Syrian | 1801 Ocean Parkway, ejss.org |
| Congregation Beit Edmond | New York | Manhattan | Rabbi Shlomo Farhi | Syrian | 11 East 63rd Street, ejsny.org |
| Emek Hatorah Congregation | New York | Brooklyn | | Syrian, Sephardic Haredim | 1781 Ocean Parkway, EmekHatorah.com |
| Congregation Har HaLebanon | 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 | 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, |
| 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 | New York | Brooklyn | Rabbi Gad Bouskila | Moroccan | 1617 Ocean Parkway |
| Ohel David & Shlomo – Torath Israel Sephardic Congregation | 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 | | Bukharian | 141-41 72nd Avenue |
| Sephardic Lebanese Congregation | New York | Brooklyn | Rabbi Eliyahu Elbaz Rabbi 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 | | Syrian | 225 Middle Neck Road |
| Shaare Zion of Hollis Hills | New York | Queens | | Bukharian | 80-02 209th Street HollisHillsMikveh.com |
| Congregation Shaare Shalom | New York | Brooklyn | | 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 | Rabbi Yosheyahu Shammah | Syrian – Shami | 706 Avenue T |
| Shuva Israel | New York | Brooklyn | | Persian | 2015 Avenue R |
| Tiferet Shaul Congregation | 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.
| Name | Image | State | City | Clergy | Culture | Address, 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 | | New Jersey | Deal | Rabbi Edmond Nahum Rabbi David Ozeri Rabbi 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 | Deal | Rabbi 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 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 Bnei Moshe | | New Jersey | Eatontown | Rabbi 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.
| Name | State | City | Clergy | Culture | Address, Website |
| Beit Rambam | Florida | Sunny Isles Beach | | Syrian | 17700 Collins Avenue BeitRambam.org |
| Bukharian Sephardic Jewish Center | Florida | Miami Beach | | Bukharian | 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 W 41st Street, ShaareEzra.com |
| 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

| Name | Image | State | City | Clergy | Culture | Address, Website |
| Young Sephardic Community Center (YSCC) | | California | Los Angeles | Rabbi Daniel Cavalier | Syrian, Moroccan | 9051 W. Pico Boulevard, YSCCLA.com |
| Congregation Magen David | | California | Beverly Hills | Rabbi Benzion Benshimon | Syrian, Persian | 322 North Foothill Road, MagenDavid.org |

## Michigan

| Name | Image | State | City | Clergy | Culture | Address, Website |
| Keter Torah Synagogue | | Michigan | West Bloomfield Township | Rabbi Sasson | Syrian, Mountain Jewish | 5480 Orchard Lake Road, RabbiSasson/Keter |

## Pennsylvania

| Name | Image | State | City | Clergy | Culture | Address, Website |
| Beit Harambam Congregation | | Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Rabbi Amiram Gabay Rabbi Moshe Haim Arbiv | Israeli | 9981 Verree Road |