When our grandfathers arrived in New York City in the early twentieth century, the first step they took towards setting down roots was opening a synagogue in lower Manhattan. Since then, it seems we have come full circle. With the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue on the Upper East Side growing by leaps and bounds, and Magen David of Union Square on 16th Street moving into a new and bigger location on Sullivan Street, our presence in NYC is about to grow even stronger.
David Duke Dweck explains, We started out downtown more than a decade ago with Shabbat services for kids and young couples dorming or living in the neighborhood. Today, we have minyanim seven days a week, 365 days a year. We have holiday services and meals; weekly Humash, Talmud and halacha classes; we have served over 10,000 young adults at Shabbat dinners that we call Sufeh in the City, brought together many singles, and even watched four marriages blossom from scratch. We are here, and have been hereand you are using us, even when you dont realize it.
Erica Rolo, program director at MDUS, found out about the small Sephardic synagogue on Facebook four years ago, I was attending FIT and Id heard about this amazing Syrian shul with a cool international cache where they even serve dinner on Shabbat. I loved the warm atmosphere, and there were singles from all overFrance, Israel, Parisbetween 75 to 150 guests on a single Shabbat evening.
Duke continues, These days our kids have found that you have to fight to compete in the new world orderthat means attending good colleges and concentrating on studies. Going home to Brooklyn every weekend may not fit into that equation. So many students from NYU, Cardozo, Baruch, FIT, The New School, and Pratt have come to us for classes, prayers, or meals at one time or another, and we are thrilled to provide that safety net for them. We dont want them to lose their traditions and we are happy to welcome them into our home to make sure they dont.
Magen David has brought Judaism to a place with not enough of it, and thats an amazing thing, explains newlywed Irving Franco. Max Assoulin agrees, For many years, MDUS was our growing communitys spiritual center. With our new building on Sullivan Street, Magen David of Manhattan will allow us to create a community center as well, binding us closer together as friends and neighbors, and forging a link with the greater Sephardic and Jewish community.
Ari Grazi looks ahead, Im getting married soon and look forward to living downtown. Until the inception of Magen David of Union Square, this would not have been an option. Many young Syrians, ourselves included, relish the culture and energy of downtown Manhattan but dont want to compromise our religious observance or Sephardic heritage. With services, meals, activities and community being offered, we can have the best of both worlds.
When it was clear that MDUS had grown out of its 900 square foot space, the hunt for a new building began, and 177 Sullivan Street was the perfect spot. One block from SoHo and two blocks from NYU, its close to local colleges and residents and will continue to provide an invaluable service. At ten times its current size, the new Magen David of Manhattan, housing MDUS, will have the space to continue to grow while keeping its old-world sense of community.
Rabbi Elie Abadie of The Edmond J. Safra Synagogue opened a fundraising event honoring Steve Russo and launching the campaign for Magen David of Manhattan recently with his invocation and benediction for its success. Whom G-d loves, he sends a golden opportunity to help. May this synagogue be a small sanctuary, where prayers of all people will be heard and answered. Not only a place of worship but a place to touch eternity, and help others to find meaning and purpose in their lives.
Magen David of Manhattan is deeply indebted to Steve Russo for his assistance in this ongoing project. Upon receiving the key to the synagogue, Mr. Russo said, When Duke and I were in Hong Kong 25 or 30 years ago, we helped start a minyan with twelve men. Today that minyan services 300 to 400 Sephardim every Shabbat. When Jeff Sutton and I were in school in Philadelphia we were also grateful for the safe haven of Shabbat that the Hillel House offered. We understand the importance of religion and tradition in our lives. Living downtown, there would be no way youd go to shul on Shabbat if not for Magen David of Manhattan. When my own son was dorming, someone called him every week to see if he wanted dinner or to come to services; for that Im so grateful.
Sean and Rachel Chraime are in awe of the effort put in by so many to make this synagogue a reality. All the social and cultural aspects that weve grown to love about the city are woven into the fabric of this shul.
Lauren and Steven Ancona continue, Through the shul, we have found an incredible network of friends we see and get together with regularly, and whose kids play with ours. Weve watched people from our community and from all over the worldincluding students, travelers, people visiting relatives in local hospitals, singles looking to meet each other, and people looking to explore their religion and heritageenjoying the synagogues services over the years. Because it was created and largely run by its members, we very much feel like it is ours, which also keeps us connected.
Simon Guindi Cohen, a young import from Mexicos Sephardic community, has enjoyed MDUS since 2006. Everyone involved welcomed me with warmth and happiness and that has made my stay in NY so comfortable. I remember when we started in the attic of the Washington Square building and barely had ten men for a minyan. Since then I have never stopped coming and supporting. MDUS is the closest thing I have to my home, and I am very grateful to be a part of it. I look forward to seeing whats next because there are always people, like me, who have traveled from abroad and seek a place with the traditions, values and warmth of home. G-d bless Magen David.
Magen David is the only Syrian/Sephardic synagogue downtown and is a wonderful example of the inevitable progress this community has been diligently working towards. David Duke Dweck, Steve Russo, Alex Adjmi, Ray Chalme, Charlie D. Mamiye, and Eli Yedid are working on the building committee. Edmond Safra, Bobby Cayre and Eddie Gindi are all supporters and believers in the cause, advising and helping along the way. Norma Cohen and Joyce Silverman have volunteered their talents, and Alissa Shams, formerly of Safra Synagogue, has been volunteering her time and will hopefully help plan future programs at the synagogue.
Harry Adjmi, huge supporter and host for the fundraiser, concludes, Im getting older, Ive seen more and Im getting sentimental. It never ceases to amaze me what this community is about. Weve learned that the word charity is not only about money, but the giving of yourself to a worthy cause. This project is just the beginning. A Center will be opening shortly in Manhattan as well, unifying everyone in the city as one people and one community. We are so proud of everyone involved here. Lets all share in this amazing project and make it happen.
To be a part of this growing legacy please call (917) 518-3663, email Dukeage@aol.com or visit the MDM website at www.MDMNY.org.
