Ahavas Yisroel Shul Relocates

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Yossi Percia

Chevra Ahavas Yisroel in Crown Heights will be relocating this month to another location in the neighborhood as the shul continues to establish itself as a community for single and married young adults.

While Rosh Hashana davening at the Jewish Children’s Museum was highly attended and Shabbos davening at a large basement on President Street are a draw, by Sukkos they will be at Bais Menachem Nachum on 440 Crown Street.

“This will be kind of temporary,” Ahavas Yisroel founder and leader Rabbi Chezzi Denebeim told COLlive.com, confirming the move. “In the near future we hope to find a permanent place.”

The constant relocating – from the Mimulo flower shop, to Moshe Rubashkin’s home to the Museum – has not hindered its growth.

Some 350 people – many of them female – were there for Rosh Hashana services, narrated by scholar-in-residence Rabbi Simon Jacobson, best selling author of “Towards a Meaningful Life.”

“Women are very spiritual, and Ahavas Yisroel allows access to that spirituality,” Sima Denebeim, the rabbi’s wife and full partner in synagogue operations, recently told The Jewish Week.

“When you walk in for the first time, you’re given a smile and a siddur. Most new shuls are set up by men for men. Some don’t even have a women’s section.”

The trademark singing at the shul is done strictly by men.

The rapidly growing “People’s Shul” has already begun using the Menachem Nachum premises.

On Monday, Kabbalah teacher Rabbi Dovber Pinson gave a pre-Yom Kippur class for 20 women. Hearty macrobiotic soup with bread was served.

“We wanted more of a shul setting where we can have regular minyanim and shiurim,” Rabbi Denebeim said. “We will not be doing any structural renovations, only cosmetic changes such as new paint on the walls, art and chandeliers.”

He said the shul will be available to be used for private simches such as a bris and upshernish. There will also be a kids’ room for a future children’s program.

Menachem Nachum congregants were welcomed to keep davening there with Ahavas Yisroel “literally and figuratively.”