Kol Israel Congregation is a growing and vibrant Sephardic community synagogue located on the corner of Bedford Avenue and Avenue K, anchoring the North East corner of the community.
The synagogue’s current building, constructed under the leadership of past president Eli D. Cohen, was designed by the renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern, and is widely recognized as an architecturally significant building. It is unique and beautiful, and the community remains proud of it.
After years of planning, Kol Israel is excited to announce that it is expanding its campus in a major way. The need for more space to house programs for community children and young adults, as well as space for multiple daily and Shabbat minyanim and breakfasts, was made urgent by the sale of the previous annex across the street. That building was used every day and Saturdays by so many. However, it was sold because it needed costly repairs and safety upgrades. The Congregation recognized that the time was right to build an addition on the newly purchased lot adjacent to the main structure.
A new two-story building will be attached to the main sanctuary on several levels, and will create an integrated campus. The 2,600 square foot first floor will have a large flexible space conducive to semachot, as well as social programs which can fit up to 300 people. The architectural design will be dramatic, with light from skylights from above, and the intricate brickwork of the main building will be used as its interior wall. The second floor will house a smaller synagogue, classroom space, and a breakfast area. The lower level will provide offices, a coat room, and a warming kitchen. The roof deck will be used for a large Sukkah and community wide youth programs. Importantly, the project will also provide an elevator serving both the current and new building.
“Kol Israel has been experiencing an influx of young married couples attracted by the relatively affordable housing, with a wide range of homes for sale and apartments for rent. The new building will allow us to service the needs of these young couples and their children,” said Jack Saban,” President of Kol Israel.
The synagogue currently has a multitude of programs and classes, as well as specialized minyanim for different age groups. The social aspect truly keeps the congregants, young and old, coming back each week. The warmth of the members is contagious.
The Rabbis
In 2015, Kol Israel Congregation very carefully selected the young and energetic Rabbi Isaac Tawil as its new chief rabbi. He is a graduate of Yeshiva University and also continued for seven years under the guidance of Rabbi Shimon H. Alouf in the Sephardic Rabbinical College. He received two semichot, one from the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt’l, and another from Rabbi Shimon H. Alouf.
The other rabbis in our congregation are Rabbi David Shweky and Rabbi Zaboulani, or Rabbi Z, as he is called by many. They both contribute in so many ways to make the synagogue flourish. Kol Israel considers themselves lucky to have them. Each rabbi brings his own enthusiasm to the synagogue, day in and day out, and the congregants agree it’s quite an infectious feeling. The speeches and classes they give are always top notch, relatable, and enjoyable.
The Kol Israel congregants enjoy the fact that Rabbi Tawil is always available to them when they need to reach out for help or with questions. Many of the congregants grew up with the Rabbi and their friendship has only become stronger since he became chief rabbi of the synagogue, in recent years.
“I love Rabbi Ikey. He is very personable and understands the younger crowd,” said Chuck Rawas, a member of the congregation. “I grew up with him, so it was great to have him come here.”
“Rabbi Tawil was born and raised in the community and understands all of its nuances. I know that he is fully dedicated to the community,” said Eli Greenberg, current vice president and former president of the synagogue.
“The rabbis have the ability to draw people in and inspire them. The congregation absolutely loves them and there is clear chemistry between them,” said Eliyahu Zion, chazan at Kol Israel. “Between the Shabbat speech, the beit midrash programs, and everything in between, they’re doing a lot to build up the congregation and are bringing in new families as well.”
“Rachelle Tawil, Rabbi Ikey’s wife, gave me one-on-one kallah classes when I got engaged,” said Raquel Sabzehroo Vogel, who attended Kol Israel all her life and is now raising her family in the area. “She was so patient with me, and still is. I text her questions, and ask for advice, and she’s quick to respond and is always there for me when I need her.”
Rabbi Tawil stated that Kol Israel’s focus is on individual growth through Torah and mitzvot and is the hallmark of the shul. In the last 5 years, the synagogue has added many different classes and lecture opportunities for all congregants to enjoy.
Seuda shelisheet (the third meal) has the majority of the congregation singing and learning together, creating a vibrant Shabbat atmosphere. There are two classes before minha given by Rabbi Tawil and Rabbi Shweky. These lectures are thought provoking, topic driven, and congregant oriented.
Their daily morning schedule has learning starting at 5:30 am with Rabbi Shweky’s acclaimed class in Hok L’Yisrael, followed by Rabbi Tawil’s 6:15 am Gemara class, Rabbi Shweky’s 7:00 am Gemara class (that just recently finished Massekhet Baba Kamma!). Rabbi Zabulani and Rabbi Tawil’s Halakha classes take place during breakfast at 8:00 am.
The Monday night beit midrash program has seen a significant uptick in attendance over the last five years. This popular program features three classes, including Rabbi Tawil’s class that completed all of Sefer Mada’ of Mishne Torah last year.
Our esteemed Hazzan Eliyahu Zion has also created a class in hazzanut for the young boys of the community. He teaches the boys pizmonim and hazzanut every Saturday afternoon, and has trained the boys to be able to perform the pizmonim for our congregants during many Shabbatot during the year. His love for the prayers and for Jewish music permeates the souls of our youth.
The most popular program, which was revived a few years ago, is the kid’s Shabbat program. Since its revival, we have seen a strong growth of youth attending synagogue on Shabbat mornings. Some fathers who only come to synagogue on high holidays have begun to come weekly, because their children want to attend the program.
“The kid’s program is great. My two daughters, aged 8 and 4, are excited to attend each week, like I was, when I attended the youth minyan each week as a child,” said Sammy Fallas, committee member at Kol Israel.
In addition to the weekly program, holidays such as Hanukkah, Purim, and Passover are all celebrated with fun special events for the kids, including magicians, clowns, rides, bouncy houses, grand prizes, and more!
“Every Shabbat morning, my four-year-old son sits ready and waiting by the door to leave with me to synagogue,” said Joseph Franco, a young board member of Kol Israel Congregation. “I’m so grateful for the awesome youth programs at the synagogue, the enthusiasm and joy of attending synagogue, I know will be ingrained in my children from their young years, as it was for me when I grew up attending the kid’s program at Kol Israel.”
The kid’s program is currently located in a trailer, which was placed on the synagogue grounds as a temporary place holder for the new expansion. In the new building, the program will have a large beautiful room of its own. The trailer is packed every Shabbat with 30 to 50 kids, eager to pray, and learn about the parashah, and of course, to collect tickets as rewards for their knowledge. The kids know they can expect games, puzzles, snacks, and a prize.
Released from the confines of the trailer, the committee expects increased attendance and will expand their offerings.
The adolescence, or teen minyan on Shabbat is widely attended, growing, and overflowing, and will also benefit greatly from the new expansion. The new expansion should allow for more to attend, including a young ladies section to be added.
“The young adult class on Tuesday night is great! We learn Gemara with Rabbi Tawil,” said Joseph Franco. “We often wind up discussing community issues and current events in addition to Torah. It’s great to spend time with the Chief Rabbi in such an intimate setting!”
“We need to get those children and teens out of the trailer and into a building,” said Morris Matalon, former president of Kol Israel Congregation.
The Area and Community
This corner of our Sephardic community is tight knit, and that’s the way they like it. Everyone knows everyone’s name; the Rabbi knows everyone and their families. Many of the members refer to Kol Israel as a second family. Another perk is that the Yeshivah of Flatbush High School is in walking distance.
Thanks to The Flatbush Shomrim, based on the corner of Avenue K and Bedford Avenue, the neighborhood is protected and safe.
The Future
With the new expansion coming up, the future is looking bright for Kol Israel. The new building, with its dramatic natural lighting and rooftop social center is promising to be the hottest spot for engagements, brit milahs, bar and bat mitzvahs, sebets, and more.
As the trend of newlyweds and young families moving into the area continues, the growth of the main minyan, youth minyan, and various programs are sure to see an influx of growth and continued success.q
