“Oldest synagogue in Brooklyn”. That’s quite a title. That’s the first thing that comes to mind as we approach Congregation Ahavat Yisrael.
Congregation Ahavat Yisrael, also known as the Greenpoint Shul, stands as a testament to Brooklyn’s Jewish history. It is a warm traditional congregation in waterfront Brooklyn. Founded in 1893, Congregation Ahavat Yisrael proudly holds the distinction of being Brooklyn’s oldest continuously operating synagogue.
The story of Congregation Ahavat Yisrael is one of mergers and perseverance. In the late 19th century Greenpoint once supported five synagogues. Ahavas Israel is the result of a merger of three synagogues. Temple Beth El was a German-Jewish Reform synagogue. It operated out of 110 Noble Street. This building was originally a Congregationalist Church dating back to 1871. Ahavas Israel came into existence in 1893. It was incorporated by German-Jewish émigrés in Kings County as an Orthodox shul. Temple Beth El merged with them in 1898. In 1903, Ahavas Israel laid the cornerstone for its current home at 108 Noble Street.
In the early 1900s the Hebrew Education Alliance of Greenpoint built a synagogue. It was on Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint’s main thoroughfare. After a fire destroyed the structure in 1960, the Hebrew Education Alliance merged with Ahavas Israel. This merger happened on the basis of an executive order by then-Governor Nelson Rockefeller.
The building next door to Congregation Ahavat Yisrael has an interesting past. The Universalist Church of the Reconciliation built it in 1862. In 1887, they sold it to Temple Beth-El. Temple Beth-El renovated the building into a synagogue. They held their first services on Rosh Hashanah in September 1887.
Today, Congregation Ahavat Yisrael continues to thrive. It is a mix of neighborhood regulars, newcomers, families, young professionals, kids, and elders. It represents a rainbow of Jewish backgrounds. The community gathers for Shabbat and holiday services. These services are followed by communal meals. The meals take place in the social hall or backyard garden.
Congregation Ahavat Yisrael is more than just a building. It is a vibrant community. It is a link to the past and a beacon for the future. It is a place where tradition is honored and everyone is welcome. The Greenpoint Shul stands as a jewel of Jewish and New York City history.