“Remember the wedding” someone whispers as we gather before the Manhattan Beach Jewish Center. It stands here as a testament to faith and community. The Manhattan Beach Jewish Center is more than just a building. It is a vibrant hub in Brooklyn’s Manhattan Beach neighborhood.
Founded in 1922 as Congregation B’nai Israel, it soon became the Manhattan Beach Jewish Center. However, the official name change wasn’t until 1962. The historic synagogue building you see before you was completed in 1952. Jacob W Sherman designed it in the Bauhaus style. This style echoes European synagogues of the 1930s.
Notice the limestone facade and granite base. The Manhattan Beach Jewish Center has a short tower and a recessed entrance. Single unadorned columns flank the entrance. A seven-story community center was added ten years later in 1961. This addition reflects the Jewish community center movement. The movement began in 1917 in Manhattan.
The Manhattan Beach Jewish Center became a cornerstone. It housed a gymnasium, kindergarten, library, and more. Classrooms, a dining room and a synagogue were also included. It is hard to imagine the devastation that Superstorm Sandy wrought upon this place. In the storm, over 300000 gallons of water flooded the basement. Recovery took years.
Yet, the Manhattan Beach Jewish Center persevered. In 2015, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was one of only two New York City properties nominated by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo. The main sanctuary, with its 613 seats and stained-glass windows sits high on the third floor.
The Manhattan Beach Jewish Center also houses the Zvi Dov Roth Rambam Yeshiva. It has elementary and high school divisions. A large gymnasium rivals Madison Square Garden. There is also a JASA senior center. Additionally, the center offers after-school programs and a summer camp. It bustles with activity. On a typical weekday, about 1000 people use the building.
The Manhattan Beach Jewish Center is more than bricks and mortar. It is a symbol of resilience and continuity. It stands as a beacon of faith for the Orthodox community. It embraces its history and looks forward to the future. The Manhattan Beach Jewish Center continues to thrive.