Congregation Beth Israel of Boro Park

In a time of profound change, Congregation Beth Israel of Boro Park emerged as a beacon of hope. Congregation Beth Israel was founded in 1919. A small group began their journey in a humble cabin on 56th Street. This nascent community yearned for a spiritual home. They were tired of long walks to distant synagogues. Their opportunity arose in the form of a former Methodist church. Built in 1894, this building held a different history. But the congregation saw potential. In 1919, the church building was purchased and transformed. Congregation Beth Israel of Boro Park had found its home. The Morgen Zhournal announced the momentous occasion. The community rejoiced. No longer would they have to travel far for prayer. The first ticket for the High Holy Days was a prized possession. It was bought by Samuel Liebling, a prominent real estate man. Henry Rosenberg, the congregation’s treasurer, oversaw the financial aspects of the transformation. The congregation quickly outgrew the renovated church. In 1928, an ambitious expansion project began. The one-story structure became a grand edifice. A community center was added. The sanctuary was expanded. Congregation Beth Israel of Boro Park continued to flourish. The congregation has been led by a succession of remarkable rabbis. Rabbi Avraham Miller served from 1921 to 1940. He even met President Coolidge at the White House in 1925. Rabbi Dr. Jachiel Mekler, a traveling rabbi, followed. He later became the rabbi of the Boro Park Infants Home. Rabbi Harold Zvi Gottesman, a descendant of prominent Chassidic dynasties, led the congregation from 1945 to 1956. He miraculously escaped the Hebron Massacre, a tragedy that claimed the lives of some of his friends. Rabbi Gottesman was also Rav Kook’s first ordained student. From 1956 to 1980, Rabbi Hershel Stollman, a renowned Torah scholar, guided the congregation. He also served as a rosh yeshiva at the Novaradoker yeshiva. Since 1981, Rabbi Pesach Korb has led Congregation Beth Israel of Boro Park. He has authored scholarly works and continues to inspire the community. Congregation Beth Israel’s legacy is one of resilience, growth, and unwavering faith. It stands as a testament to the dedication of its founders and the enduring spirit of the Boro Park community.