East Midwood Jewish Center
East Midwood Jewish Center | |
---|---|
Renaissance Revival | |
Date established | 1924 (as a congregation) |
Groundbreaking | 1926 |
Completed | 1929 |
Construction cost | $1 million (today $18 million[1]) |
Specifications | |
Direction of façade | West |
Capacity |
|
Width | 155 feet (47 m) |
Dome(s) | 2 |
Materials | Steel frame, masonry, buff and red brick, limestone, copper domes |
Website | |
emjc | |
East Midwood Jewish Center | |
NRHP reference No. | 06000478 |
Added to NRHP | June 7, 2006 |
[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] |
The East Midwood Jewish Center is a Conservative synagogue located at 1625 Ocean Avenue, Midwood, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, in the United States.
Organized in 1924,
Membership dropped during the Great Depression, and the synagogue suffered financial hardship, but it recovered, and by 1941 had 1,100 member families. In 1950 the congregation built an adjoining school; at its peak its enrollment was almost 1,000.[2] As neighborhood demographics changed in the late 20th century, and Brooklyn's Jewish population became more Orthodox, the East Midwood Jewish Center absorbed three other Conservative Brooklyn congregations.[13]
The East Midwood Jewish Center had only three rabbis from its founding until 2014.[14] Reuben Kaufman served from 1924 to 1929, Harry Halpern from 1929 to 1977 and Alvin Kass from 1976 to 2014.[2] In 2014, Matt Carl became the rabbi.[3]
History
Founding
East Midwood was organized in 1924
East Midwood held its first annual meeting on November 18, 1924 at the Jewish Communal Center of
East Midwood's first
Building construction
The Real Estate Committee almost immediately purchased land located on Avenue L between East 26th and 27th Streets. Most members, however, felt a location on
Designed in the
Great Depression and mid-20th century
The Great Depression took its toll on the congregation, and membership dropped. In order to cope with the financial burdens, dues were raised, teachers were given endorsed notes rather than paychecks, the Executive Secretary was laid off, pews were sold, and individual members provided mortgage guarantees. The synagogue survived, and membership recovered; by 1934 there were 300 members, and by 1944 there were 1,100.[2]
From 1955-1985, the famed Abraham Nadel was appointed Choral Director. Nadel was known for his outstanding Choir leadership & musicianship; Specifically for his composition of Sim Sholom. Joseph Eidelson [Jozef Ajdelson] became cantor in 1956.[22] Born in Warsaw, Poland, Eidelson previously served as cantor at Warsaw's Sinai Synagogue, and in 1935 at the Great Synagogue of Vilna, Lithuania.[23]
In October 1968, then Mayor of New York City John Lindsay was booed and jeered by a huge crowd at the East Midwood Jewish Center, in an infamous incident during the 1968 New York City teachers strike.[24] Lindsay had supported a school decentralization plan that had pitted mostly black parents against mostly Jewish teachers and school administration; after the administrator of the Ocean Hill—Brownsville school board dismissed 13 teachers and 6 administrators (mostly Jewish) for opposing decentralization, the United Federation of Teachers "called a strike that closed 85 percent of the city's 900 schools for 55 days".[25]
When Lindsay arrived he was met by a mob of 2,000 people outside the synagogue, who shouted "Lindsay must go" and "we want
Following Halpern's retirement in 1977, East Midwood hired as rabbi
Late 20th and early 21st century
As Brooklyn's changing demographics made non-Orthodox institutions less viable, East Midwood absorbed three other congregations, including the Jewish Communal Center of Flatbush,
At that time the membership had become divided over the issue of
The synagogue building has remained architecturally unchanged since its construction, and was from the 1990s until 2010 the only synagogue in Brooklyn with a functioning swimming pool.[5] In June 2006, it was added to the NRHP.[6] That year the congregation received a $300,000 loan from the New York Landmarks Conservancy for repairs for "masonry and steel repairs on the side and rear facades."[31] It also raised $40,000 in order to receive a 2:1 "matching grant" of $20,000 from the Conservancy, and completed the repair work in 2007.[31] In November 2007 East Midwood was awarded a $409,575 New York State Environmental Protection Fund grant to "restore features of the sanctuary including stained glass windows, stained glass dome and skylight."[32][33]
Aaron Pomerantz joined as associate rabbi in 1978. Born in Poland, he had escaped Europe after the outbreak of
Joseph Eidelson retired to become Cantor Emeritus in 1995, 9 years before his death in 2004.[34]
Sam Levene became East Midwood's cantor in 2004. Born in Jerusalem and raised in Toronto, Levene was a graduate of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School and the JTSA's cantorial program.[3]
Kass retired to become Rabbi Emeritus in 2014.
Matt Carl joined as rabbi in 2014. A graduate of Vassar College and the JTSA, he had previously served as rabbi of Battery Park Synagogue in Manhattan and Congregation Mount Sinai in Brooklyn.[3]
East Midwood Day School
East Midwood Jewish Center ran a successful Talmud Torah for after school Jewish instruction.[36] As a child in the 1940s, feminist author Susan Brownmiller attended it two afternoons a week.[37][38] In 1950, the congregation built a three-story school building and a two-story bridge link between the school and synagogue.[5] At its peak in the early 1950s the school had an enrollment of almost 1,000.[2]
East Midwood subsequently created a Conservative Jewish day school, serving students from kindergarten to Grade 8, and also providing "afternoon religious instruction for public school students through high school"[39] operated separately from the Talmud Torah.[36] Author and talk show host Dennis Prager taught at the day school.[40] It was later renamed the Rabbi Harry Halpern Day School, in honor of Rabbi Halpern.[2]
Like the synagogue, the day school also suffered from Brooklyn's changing (and increasingly Orthodox) demographics;[30][41] enrollment had dropped from 400 students to 99 by the early 21st century.[41] Invigorated by a new principal, enrollment climbed to 160 by 2008,[30][41] but the school was still not financially stable.[30] In addition, the day school had become more independent in the 1990s, and its relationship with the synagogue deteriorated to that of a tenant to a landlord.[30] As a result, some of the synagogue's board members wanted to evict the school and find a new tenant.[30] In 2009 the synagogue and the school signed a new agreement to bring the two organizations closer again, under which the synagogue would absorb some of the school's costs, and the parents of school children would become members of the synagogue.[30] According to the synagogue's website, however, in 2018 the day school "reorganized itself, and modified into a more orthodox tradition".[36] The Talmud Torah continued to operate as a congregational school.[36]
Architecture
The East Midwood Jewish Center synagogue building's architect is uncertain.[42] The design is officially credited to the Building Committee and Irving Warshaw, the construction superintendent. The architect's name is not recorded in synagogue records, nor on the building's dedicatory plaque. The Center's National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nomination form, however, argues that the architect was Louis Abramson, based on visual evidence and one piece of written evidence.[10]
Abramson was a leading architect of synagogue-centers at that time. He designed a number of New York examples, including the original synagogue-center, the
Alternatively, Maurice Courland's 1957 obituary claims the East Midwood Jewish Center as his work.[43] Courland also designed a number of synagogues and New York landmarks, including Brooklyn's Magen David Synagogue.[44]
Famous members
Famous congregational members have included
East Midwood has also had members who have died under tragic circumstances, including Jason Sekzer, who was killed in the
Media appearances
In 2018 scenes from the television series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel were filmed here.[54]
References
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k History, East Midwood Jewish Center website.
- ^ a b c d e Staff, East Midwood Jewish Center website.
- ^ New York Times, November 18, 1957.
- ^ a b c d e f NRHP Continuation Sheet, Section 7, p. 1.
- ^ a b c National Register of Historic Places Listings, June 16, 2006.
- ^ NRHP Continuation Sheet, Section 7, p. 4.
- ^ NRHP Continuation Sheet, Section 7, p. 5.
- ^ NRHP Continuation Sheet, Section 7, p. 6.
- ^ a b c NRHP Continuation Sheet, Section 7, p. 2.
- ^ a b c d Kaufman (1999), p. 259.
- ^ a b c NRHP Continuation Sheet, Section 8, p. 2.
- ^ a b NRHP Continuation Sheet, Section 8, p. 4.
- ^ a b Kass (2006).
- ^ a b c Kaufman (1999), p. 258.
- ^ NRHP Continuation Sheet, Section 8, p. 3.
- ^ a b NRHP Continuation Sheet, Section 7, p. 3.
- ^ Greenwald (2001), p. 35.
- ^ Barton (2006).
- ^ Levin (2006).
- ^ Waggoner (1981).
- ^ "Finding Aid". East Midwood Jewish Center. Archived from the original on 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
- )
- ^ New York Times, October 16, 1968.
- ^ a b McFadden (2000).
- ^ Kahlenberg (2007), p. 108.
- ^ See Kahlenberg (2007), p. 108, and Dash Moore (2003).
- ^ a b c d Lipsyte (1996).
- ^ a b In Loving Memory: Rabbi Aaron Pomerantz, East Midwood Jewish Center website.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dickter (2009).
- ^ a b 2007 Annual Report, New York Landmarks Conservancy, p. 15.
- ^ Press release, Governor Eliot Spitzer, New York State Executive Chamber, November 29, 2007.
- ^ Environmental Protection Fund Projects, New York State Executive Chamber, November 29, 2007.
- from the original on 2023-11-13. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
- ^ See Parker & Freeman (2004), pp. 60–61, Jacobs (2006).
- ^ a b c d Mission & History, East Midwood Jewish Center website.
- ^ Brownmiller.
- ^ Gay (2012), p. 83.
- ^ Fioravante (1996).,
- ^ a b Koppell (2004).
- ^ a b c Siegel (2008).
- ^ Howe (2009), section 8, page 10, footnote 35.
- ^ See New York Times, November 18, 1957, which also attributes the design of the Flatbush Jewish Center to Courland.
- ^ Howe (2009), section 8, page 10.
- ^ Pogrebin (2007), p. 19.
- ^ a b Bader Ginsburg (2016), pp 15–17.
- ^ a b Dolsten (2016).
- ^ Kalish (2005).
- ^ New York Times, April 2, 1990.
- ^ The 4,000 Jews Rumor, United States Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs website.
- ^ Edward (2008).
- ^ Chandler (2008).
- ^ Yaniv (2008).
- ^ Ginsberg (2018).
Bibliography
- History, East Midwood Jewish Center website. Accessed January 28, 2010.
- Mission & History, East Midwood Jewish Center website. Accessed June 16, 2019.
- Staff, East Midwood Jewish Center website. Accessed June 16, 2019.
- In Loving Memory: Rabbi Aaron Pomerantz, East Midwood Jewish Center website. Accessed January 28, 2010.
- "National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet" (PDF). National Park Service. NPS Form 10-900-a, OMB No. 1024-0018, Section 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-05 – via East Midwood Jewish Center.
- "National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet" (PDF). National Park Service. NPS Form 10-900-a, OMB No. 1024-0018, Section 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2008-07-25 – via East Midwood Jewish Center.
- "National Register of Historic Places Listings", June 16, 2006. Accessed January 28, 2010.
- "Governor Announces $25.3 Million in Environmental Protection Fund Grants For Projects Across New York", Press Release, Governor Eliot Spitzer, New York State Executive Chamber, November 29, 2007.
- "Environmental Protection Fund Projects", New York State Executive Chamber, November 29, 2007.
- "Mayor Jeered at Jewish Center As He Speaks on School Crisis; Mayor Jeered by Crowd at Brooklyn Jewish Center", The New York Times, October 16, 1968.
- "Herman Levin Is Dead; Jewish Lay Leader, 89", The New York Times, April 2, 1990.
- The 4,000 Jews Rumor, United States Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs website, Resource Tools, Identifying Misinformation, September 12, 2007. Accessed January 28, 2010.
- ISBN 978-1-5011-4526-1
- Barton, Evan. "Brooklyn’s Oldest Synagogue Celebrates Its 150th Anniversary", Brooklyn Eagle, June 22, 2006.
- Brownmiller, Susan. "Susan Brownmiller", Statement, Jewish Women's Archive. Accessed June 17, 2019.
- Chandler, Doug. "Jewish Soldier, Police Officer, Mourned"[The Jewish Week, July 16, 2008.
- The Strike That Changed New York: Blacks, Whites, and the Ocean Hill-Brownsville Crisis", American Jewish History, Volume 91, Number 1, March 2003, pp. 176–180.
- Dickter, Adam. "A Conservative Remarriage", The Jewish Week, March 6, 2009.
- Dolsten, Josefin. "Read 13-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s essay in her synagogue bulletin", Jewish Telegraphic Agency, October 1, 2016.
- Fioravante, Janice. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Midwood;A Rich Ethnic Mix in Mid-Brooklyn", The New York Times, July 21, 1996.
- Edward, Daniel. "Cop who Died in Kabul Mourned as a 'Role Model'[permanent dead link], Newsday, July 15, 2008.
- Gay, Kathlyn (ed.). "Brownmiller, Susan (1935–", American Dissidents: An Encyclopedia of Activists, Subversives, and Prisoners of Conscience, Volume 1, ABC-CLIO, 2012.
- Ginsberg, Johanna R. "Atonement, take nine", New Jersey Jewish News, September 13, 2018.
- Greenwald, Judith R., "First Synagogues: The First 144 Years of Congregation Baith Israel Anshei Emes (The Kane Street Synagogue)", in Abramovitch, Ilana and Galvin, Seán. Jews of Brooklyn, ISBN 978-1-58465-003-4
- Howe, Kathy. "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form" (PDF).[dead link], Jewish Center of Kings Highway, United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, NPS Form 10-900, OMB No. 1024-0018.
- Jacobs, Andrew. "Blessing the Fallen, and Propping Up Those Left Behind", The New York Times, Section B, Column 2, Metropolitan Desk, p. 1.
- Kahlenberg, Richard D. Tough liberal: Albert Shanker and the battles over schools, unions, race, and democracy, ISBN 978-0-231-13496-5
- Kalish, Jon. "Filmmaker Confronts ‘Protocols’ Myth in Documentary", The Forward, January 14, 2005.
- Kass, Alvin. "Brooklyn Is In!", June 2006, East Midwood Jewish Center website. Accessed January 28, 2010.
- Koppell, Bonnie. "Prager's lasting effect", Jewish News of Greater Phoenix, February 20, 2004, Vol. 56, No. 22.
- Kaufman, David. Shul with a Pool: The "synagogue-center" in American Jewish History, Brandeis University Press, ISBN 978-0-87451-893-1
- Levin, Carol. "The Weinberg Family: Leaders during the Synagogue’s Golden Age"[permanent dead link], Kane Street Synagogue, The Synagogue Journal, Issue 11[permanent dead link], March 17, 2006.
- Lipsyte, Robert. "Some Days, the Rabbi Wears Blue", The New York Times, September 15, 1996.
- McFadden, Robert D. "John V. Lindsay, Mayor and Maverick, Dies at 79", The New York Times, December 21, 2000.
- "2007 Annual Report" (PDF). New York Landmarks Conservancy.[permanent dead link]
- "Maurice Courland, Architect, Dies at 65; Expert on Synagogue and School Design", The New York Times, November 18, 1957, p. 31.
- Parker, Milton; Freeman, Allyn. How to feed friends and influence people: the Carnegie Deli—a giant sandwich, a little deli, a huge success, ISBN 978-0-471-68056-7
- ISBN 978-0-7679-1613-4
- Siegel, Jennifer. "Will Conservative Day Schools Survive?", The Forward, Jun 5, 2008.
- Waggoner, Walter H. "Harry Halpern, 82, Jewish Leader, Dies", The New York Times, June 12, 1981.
- Yaniv, Oren. "Grief for Brooklyn son lost in Afghanistan", New York Daily News, July 14, 2008.
External links
- East Midwood Jewish Center website Archived 2008-05-12 at the Wayback Machine
- Lipsyte, Robert. "COPING; Time to Build The Ark?", The New York Times, August 23, 1998.