Victory for Jewish Heritage: New York Governor Saves Century-Old Brooklyn Synagogue
In a powerful demonstration of commitment to Jewish heritage and community values, New York Governor Kathy Hochul stepped in this week to prevent the demolition of the historic Kingsbrook Synagogue in Brooklyn, preserving a sacred cornerstone of Jewish life that has stood strong for nearly a century.
A Testament to Jewish Resilience
Congregation Chaim Albert, known as the Kingsbrook Synagogue, has been fighting for its survival against One Brooklyn Health, the medical center that owns the property. The healthcare organization had released development plans that callously included the complete demolition of this sacred space, threatening to erase decades of Jewish spiritual life.
"Kingsbrook Synagogue has been around since the early 1900s and is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Jewish community," Governor Hochul declared in her statement to The Times of Israel. "I'm proud to have led the effort to save the historic Kingsbrook shul from its demolition."
Born from Adversity, Built with Jewish Pride
The synagogue's origins tell a powerful story of Jewish determination in the face of antisemitism. The Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center was founded in the late 1920s in Brooklyn's Flatbush area specifically because other hospitals discriminated against Jews, particularly those with special needs. Jewish community members purchased the land and funded the center's operations, creating a haven that honored both medical care and spiritual needs.
The current synagogue structure, featuring marble floors and magnificent stained-glass windows, was built in 1950 as a replacement for the original building. Named Congregation Joseph Chaim Albert after the father of hospital president Isaac Albert, it became a spiritual home for both hospital-affiliated worshippers and Jews from surrounding communities, including the vibrant Hasidic community of Crown Heights.
Betrayal and Broken Promises
The congregation's lawsuit against One Brooklyn Health reveals a disturbing pattern of broken commitments. For decades, longstanding agreements guaranteed the synagogue's continued religious use, with congregation members funding building operations and maintenance based on these assurances.
The betrayal intensified during the COVID pandemic when hospital officials used virus restrictions as a pretext to shutter the synagogue in 2020. Despite promises that congregants would return when restrictions lifted, the medical center has continued blocking access, deliberately allowing the building to fall into disrepair to justify its eventual demolition.
Before the pandemic, this sacred space hosted Shabbat and holiday services, welcoming around 40 worshippers each Shabbat, with 60 people still proudly maintaining their membership despite the forced closure.
Community Unity and Gratitude
Governor Hochul's intervention brought immense relief to Jewish community leaders who understand the profound significance of preserving this spiritual landmark.
"The synagogue has stood as a beacon of light for the entire neighborhood and has been active for a century," said Rabbi Lazer Avtzon of the Association of Crown Heights Shuls, representing more than 100 synagogues in the area. "We thank Governor Hochul for helping prevent its displacement."
Rabbi Shmuel Rosenstein of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council expressed personal gratitude: "We appreciate the governor's intervention, and I look forward to bringing my children to the synagogue in the near future, as I live just three blocks away."
New York State Attorney General Letitia James also praised the decision, stating: "This synagogue has been meaningful to the community for decades, and I am grateful a treasured piece of Jewish history in New York will be preserved."
A Victory for Jewish Values
This preservation victory represents more than saving a building; it affirms the enduring strength of Jewish community advocacy and the importance of protecting sacred spaces that have served as spiritual anchors for generations. The Kingsbrook Synagogue stands as living proof of Jewish resilience, from its founding during an era of hospital antisemitism to its salvation through community unity and principled leadership.
As this century-old synagogue prepares for its next chapter, it continues to embody the unbreakable spirit of Jewish heritage and the power of standing together to protect what matters most to our communities.