Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan of Staten Island

Deep in the heart of Staten Island, a unique spiritual journey began. The Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan of Staten Island stands as a testament to the dedication of a few families. Mr. Max Mizrahi, Mr. Lou Salem, and Mr. Walter Srour, yearned for the familiar Sephardic traditions they cherished in Brooklyn. They laid the foundation for what would become a vibrant community. The Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan’s story began humbly, in the basement of Mr. Salem’s home. After two years, the growing congregation moved to a trailer near the Sprigville Jewish Center. For High Holiday services, they rented space from a daycare center. Later, an apartment in Heartland Village served as their temporary home. During this time, Mr. Mark Cohen generously offered his backyard for a tent during the High Holidays. This allowed even more people, including newly arrived Israeli families, to participate in the services. The Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan continued to grow. In 2000, Mr. Mizrahi discovered their current location on Rockland Avenue. The congregation purchased the property and continued to use a backyard tent for a few years. Now, under the guidance of Rabbi Aharon Zeev, the Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan thrives in its permanent home. It continues to grow, both spiritually and in numbers, as families expand and new members join. The Aur Torah Sephardic Minyan of Staten Island is more than just a building. It represents the enduring power of faith, community, and the determination to preserve cherished traditions in a new home.