Men from Aleppo and Damascus, Syria began to arrive in America during the early part of the 20th century. Soon they found that the opportunities America offered were vast, so instead of returning to their homeland, they brought their families here.
These men, some of them rabbis, others great men of vision, all of them determined and generous, were among the founders of our community.
IMAGE Magazine would like to recognize some of the rabbis and leaders whose determination and personal sacrifice have helped to make our community what it is today. These people are no longer with us but they will forever live in our hearts. In addition, we have included articles in memory of rabbis who were Torah giants from around the world.
Here is a look at some of the articles IMAGE magazine published over the past 18 years.
Rabbi Jacob S. Kassin came from Jerusalem in 1933 and served as Chief Rabbi of our community until his passing in 1995. His motto was “unity, harmony and peace.”
Rabbi Kassin excelled in respecting rabbis and laymen, young and old, rich and poor. He did not discriminate against anyone. His special style of leadership brought rabbis, leaders and others together for guidance, advice and resolution of problems for the purpose of arriving at fair and just decisions.
He was born in 1900, in Jerusalem. His first teacher was his father, Rabbi Shaul Kassin. In 1919 he married Mazal, the daughter of a distinguished family. Her father was Rabbi Shalom Hedaya, a noted Kabbalist and Talmudic scholar. After their marriage, Rabbi Kassin’s situation improved and he was able to devote more time to the study of Jewish law. In 1921, he wrote a book of questions and answers based on halakha and the following year he began to study Kabbalah. In 1925, he wrote a three-volume commentary on the writings of Rabbi Isaac Luria and Rabbi Shalom Sharaby, entitled Or HaLevanah.
At about that time, he was accepted as a student at the well-known Yeshiva Porat Yosef, which had been established in Jerusalem in the 1920s.
In 1933, the leaders of the Syrian, Magen David congregation of Brooklyn summoned him to take on the leadership of the community. His arrival with his family several months later marked the beginning of over 62 years as the beloved and influential Chief Rabbi of the entire Syrian Jewish community in the United States. Rabbi Kassin wisely instituted a number of important enactments to reinforce the community.
In 1935, together with other rabbis, Rabbi Kassin established an edict declaring it unacceptable to accept any converted man or woman into the community. This strong and strict Takana-Edict, which is still enforced, is keeping our community safe and immune from the plague of assimilation. Our rate of intermarriage is one of the lowest among Jewish communities.
Our present rabbis, leaders and community members have a holy and sacred obligation to keep and strengthen our unity by using tolerance, love and harmony, just as Rabbi Kassin did. Thus the lofty goals of peace, tranquility and achievement will be enjoyed by all. May his memory be blessed.
Community member Charles S. Haddad had this to say upon Rabbi Kassin’s passing: “Where would our community be today if it were not for Rabbi Jacob S. Kassin? He created the foundation for the community to grow to where it is today. Rabbi Kassin molded a tradition that has worked to keep our community unified as one.”
“We are one of the strongest Jewish communities in the world today. We believe in the study of Torah, which gives us the values necessary to keep us together.”
“With his foresight, the Bikur Holim, synagogues, yeshivahs, community centers, as well as other communal institutions were built. Rabbi Kassin helped to create an infrastructure for us to grow in and expand naturally.”
“He performed the marriage ceremonies for the majority of the people in our community. He always had a smile and a good word for everyone. He was the main reason for us reaching the greatness that our community can be proud of.”
“Rabbi Kassin symbolized the very essence of our community. His leadership was one of endurance. Our community has been very blessed by his leadership. He helped guide us to build our traditions.”
Morris J. Franco of Congregation Shaare Zion said, “Our entire community will miss his kindness, intelligence and magnificent spirituality. He touched all of us. When he entered a room, everyone was aware of the magnitude of his presence.”
Rabbi Abraham Hecht said, “Rabbi Kassin was a source of towering strength to all the rabbis in the community. He was a beacon of light and support for the many yeshivot, kollelim and other institutions. Sixty-one years of dedicated service and leadership at great personal sacrifice established Rabbi Jacob Kassin as a great leader amongst rabbis, whose name will ever be remembered with blessings.”
