Young Israel Beth El of Borough Park

Young Israel Beth El of Borough Park, sometimes called Young Israel Beth El of Boro Park and abbreviated as YIBE, is an Orthodox Jewish congregation and historic synagogue, located at 4802 15th Avenue in Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States.

Formed in the 1980s through a merger of Temple Beth El of Borough Park, established in 1902, and Young Israel of Boro Park, established c. 1930s, the merged congregation worships from the historic 1920s temple that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

History

Temple Beth El of Borough Park

Congregation Beth El of Borough Park was founded in August, 1902, and it erected a brick building in 1906, at 12th Avenue and 41st Street, that is the oldest synagogue building in Borough Park, now occupied by Chevra Anshei Lubawitz of Borough Park.

The congregation built a three-story building on 15th Avenue between 1920 and 1923. Designed by Shampan & Shampan with Moorish Revival and Egyptian Revival influences, this building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

The congregation sold its 12th Avenue building and has been used by several different congregations. In 2017, trustees of Congregation Anshe Lubavitch, the owners at that time, sold the building to developers, sparking controversy and a civil court case with some of the other members.

Beth-El was renown for its famous cantors.

Young Israel of Boro Park

Young Israel of Boro Park, part of the National Council of Young Israel movement, was established well before World War II. One of its early rabbis was Rabbi Samuel Mirsky.

Young Israel's present rabbi previously served as youth leader; the Boro Park branch was known early on for its youth group.

Merger

In the 1980s, the Young Israel of Borough Park, having sold its 1349 50th Street building years before for use as a Chasidic yeshiva, and then leased part of it back on a 10-year lease for synagogue use, merged with Congregation Beth El. The combined organization, though having fewer worshippers than in the 1980s, worships from the 1920s 15th Avenue building.

Leaders

The following individuals have served as rabbi of the congregation:

In addition, the following chazzans have served the congregation: Mordechai Hershman, throughout the 1920s, Berele Chagy, through the 1940s and early 1950s, Moshe Koussevitzky, from 1952 to 1966, Paul Zim (Zimelman), from 1966 to 1968, Moshe Stern, from 1968 to 1977, and Benzion Miller, since 1981.

References

External links

• Official website
• Howe, Kathleen A. (December 2009). "Registration Form: Temple Beth El of Borough Park" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service – via Anthony W. Robins.