Congregation Kol Israel
603 St Johns Place | Crown Heights | built 1920
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The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.
Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.
- 1928
Congregation Kol Israel, formed in 1924, builds a fieldstone tenement synagogue by Tobias Goldstone
The Orthodox congregation was established in 1924, and its synagogue went up in 1928 on St. John's Place. Brooklyn architect Tobias Goldstone designed the small, two-story rectangular building, which is faced in randomly laid fieldstone. Its western side overlooks the open cut of the Franklin Avenue subway line.
“The congregation was established in 1924 as an Orthodox congregation. The synagogue was built in 1928…”
Source: Wikipedia
- 2009
The synagogue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
In 2009 the synagogue at 603 St. John's Place was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wikipedia describes it as a vernacular tenement synagogue, built in 1928 for a congregation established in 1924.
“The synagogue building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 2015
Kol Israel hires Rabbi Sam Reinstein to bring in younger members
In 2015, after several failed attempts to attract new members, the board hired Rabbi Sam Reinstein to turn its struggling Modern Orthodox synagogue into a place young people would find appealing. He added monthly art shows and after-parties to the congregation's programming.
“…the board hired Rabbi Sam Reinstein to "transform his ailing Modern Orthodox synagogue into a place young people consider cool.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 2016
The synagogue hosts what it calls the first Jewish Comic Con
In 2016 Kol Israel hosted an event billed as the first Jewish Comic Con. It featured the comics artists Isaac Goodheart, known for Postal, and Jordan B. Gorfinkel. It came alongside the monthly art shows and after-parties added to the congregation's programming.
“…the synagogue in 2016 hosted "the first Jewish Comic Con," which featured comics artists Isaac Goodheart of Postal and Jordan B. Gorfinkel.”
Source: Wikipedia
- 2016
An eruv built for Kol Israel sparks a dispute with Chabad neighbors
An eruv built for the Kol Israel congregation in June 2016 enlarged the area where observant Jews could carry items and push strollers on Shabbat sixfold. Chabad neighbors opposed it, and Chabad's Crown Heights rabbinical court rejected it, calling it a "devastation of the Shabbat." A few months later, following repeated vandalism of the eruv, two members of Chabad were arrested on criminal mischief charges.
“…an eruv built to benefit the Kol Israel congregation "increased sixfold the area in which observant Jews can carry items…”
Source: Wikipedia
Further reading
- Congregation Kol IsraelWikipedia
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