We are Ahi Ezer Congregation—a group of immigrants from Damascus Syria and Beirut, Lebanon. The congregation started on the East Side of Manhattan, in the early part of the 1900s (1910 to 1925) amidst the hustle and bustle. With pushcarts and shantahs (suitcases), we peddled our wares to earn a living.
When the Sea Beach BMT Subway opened in 1920, our ancestors began commuting to the suburbs and established Magen David Synagogue on 67th street and 20th Avenue.
The migration to Brooklyn started at that time. Most of the boys went to a kittab, a one-room Hebrew school house, after public school let out at 3 pm.
By 1925 a regular Hebrew school opened next to Magen David Synagogue on 67th street.
Ahi Ezer Congregation moved to 64th Street and 21st Avenue in Brooklyn, then opened a new synagogue off Bay Parkway in the 71st street area. It was a large, two-story building with high ceilings, stained glass windows, a balcony and a social hall. As the community expanded to the Ocean Parkway and Kings Highway area, property was purchased in 1970 and construction started for the newest building at the corner of Ave S.
The First Sephardic Girls’ School was opened on 70th Street in the 1960s. Why? Most of the boys were being trained at Magen David Yeshivah at great expense. The girls also needed training in our ways, as future “mothers” of the next generation. This led to Ahi Ezer Girls’ Yeshiva. We were diverted by the blessed growth of the boys in the community. The explosion led to Ahi Ezer opening a boys’ division and renting buildings in other parts of Brooklyn. Then a “flood” of Russian children arrived on our shores. The Ashkenazi yeshiva could not handle them. Again Ahi Ezer stepped forward to open two buildings in the Brighton Beach area. We hired bi-lingual teachers and for many years supported and solicited funds from our generous community to finance all of their projects.
We are thankful for the beautiful Shabbat and holiday services conducted by our cantors. On 71st Street we had Naftalie Tawil, the brother of Moe, Isaac and David. The next Hazzan was Yehazkel Albeg, he was a Poet Laureat in Hebrew songs. He created over 100 Pizmonim. Of course, our original Hazzan, rabbi of the congregation, as well as “baal Koreh” of the Sefer Torah since 1920 was our beloved Rabbi Murad Mordechai Maslaton. The 64th Street Synagogue also had two associate rabbi’s, Hacham Moshe Cohen and Hacham Shemuel Nasar.
On Ocean Parkway, since the early 70s until the present period, Cantor Meir Levi has presided, still as vibrant and sweet voiced as when he started.
Our Yeshiva, Ahi Ezer of Avenue X, was dedicated by the Dayan and Bibi families. Rabbi Sion M. Maslaton was the first rabbi. He moved to Avenue S after his father, Rabbi Murad passed on. Rabbi Hananiah Elbaz continued his good work as leader, with Cantor Menahem Mustacci and Cantor Ezra Azizo. As president, Lou Rofe with Isaac Esses did a great job.
The director of the 71st Street Synagogue was Basil D. Cohen. He made good use of the social hall, having weddings, as well as engagement parties, Brit Milahs and birthday parties. Bingo nights and afternoons brought large crowds with money to be made with a shout of “Bingo.” Basil Cohen lived to over 100 years of age.
Around 1975, Ahi Ezer started senior housing for the community elders and now has three fully occupied buildings to serve them. This was watched over by the late Ceasar Salama and Nat Mousah Mann.
Since 1910 we have had, including Marvin Azrak, whom we lost to a heart attack in January 2008, five leaders in 100 years. A leader is not one who is elected! He is one who people rally around, and together as group, is a worker, an achiever and is able to get a job done. Remember the names of the five: Marcus, Attieyeh, Bibi, Dayan and Azrak.
We must give thanks to Ellie “Lou” Rofe for his forsight and personal attention to the Ahi Ezer Girls’ Yeshiva and Synagogue on Ocean Parkway.
There is so much more to tell. We hope to advise the community further on how we look forward to their contributions, and how carefully the funds received are applied.
A visit to the Ahi Ezer Synagogue on Ave S and Ocean Parkway is a must for every member of the community.
Look carefully at the stained glass. The many panels, almost 80, depict the 12 Tribes with all of the earmarks of each season and holiday. They cover the first floor on both the right and left sides as well as the ladies balcony.
A special chair of solid brass, has engraved into the metal the prayers of the Brit Milah. At present it is covered in blue and gold fabric. Alongside is a small table used to hold items used for the Brit Milah. Look closely around the bonze apron and you will see engraved in each circle (around the apron) many of the family names of members of Ahi Ezer from 1910 to 1975. We would love to see you and hope you enjoy our prayers.
