Honoring the Legacy of the Young Israel of Eastern Parkway
Rabbi Tzvi Dov Kanatopsky z”l and Mr. Harold Jacobs z”l
if you have pictures or nostalgia that you would like to include in our dinner journal please email cleibtag@youngisrael.org
The glorious past of Orthodox Judaism in the United States and its particular impact on today, points directly to an address in Brooklyn at 991 Eastern Parkway. For nearly 60 years until it closed in the 1980’s, the Young Israel of Eastern Parkway was the Young Israel’s Young Israel. A dynamic Rabbi, Talmid Chacham, visionary, and a cadre of dedicated laymen, under the leadership of a true Torah Jew, built a shul whose accomplishments are legendary.
As the National Council nears its 100th anniversary, our board of directors has chosen to honor the legacy of this great institution at our 97th Anniversary Dinner. The Young Israel Legacy Awards will be presented posthumously to Rabbi Tzvi Dov Kanatopsky z”l, its Mara D’atra for many years, and to Mr. Harold Jacobs, z”l its president. The awards will be accepted by their children Dr. Tzipora Meier (Teaneck, NJ) and Mr. Paul Jacobs (Toronto, Canada).
From its humble beginning in 1923 with a handful of members, the Young Israel grew to serve thousands of Jews. Its 33rd anniversary journal, printed in 1956, writes “over 5000 youngsters have been exposed to our philosophy of living; over 35,000 adults have prayed in our various services; over $500,000 has been distributed to worthwhile Torah and overseas causes”. Torah giants of the previous generation, Rabbi JB Soleveitchik, zt”l and Dr. Samuel Belkin zt”l graced its podium as did politicians and government leaders of every political party. Through the war years, the shul played a major role in attempting to rescue our ill fated brethren and stood proudly with the fledging State of Israel in 1948. Its dynamic youth programs educated today’s Rabbinic and lay leadership who proudly remember the influence that the shul had on their religious development. Many can claim that they met their “bashert” at the shul. When the shul finally closed its doors and its members relocated to the major Jewish neighborhoods of today, it is safe to say the Young Israel of Eastern Parkway’s legacy can now be felt in all parts of the world.