Congregation Ohab Zedek
Encyclopedia
Ohab Zedek, sometimes abbreviated as OZ, is an Orthodox Jewish synagogue
in Manhattan
, New York City noted for its lively, youthful congregation. Founded in 1873, it moved to it current location on West 95th Street in 1926. , the senior rabbi was Allen Schwartz, the assistant rabbi was Akiva Willig, and the cantor
was Rabbi Avrohom Moshe Farber.
Congregation Ohab Zedek (abbreviated O.Z., and formally known as the First Hungarian Congregation Ohab Zedek), was founded in 1873 on the Lower East Side
. The congregation built a synagogue building at 70 Columbia Street in 1881. In 1886 the congregation sold the Columbia Street building to Congregation Ahavath Acheim Anshe Ungarn and moved into the gothic-style synagogue building 172 Norfolk Street that is now the Angel Orensanz Center
, the oldest surviving synagogue building in New York and the fourth-oldest in the United States.
, in the newly fashionable neighborhood of Harlem. The "monumental" design was influenced by the Gothic character of the previous Norfolk Street home. The street-facing gable prominently featured a large four-centered arch-headed window over a large pedimented doorcase, appearing styled in loose or Vernacular Gothic on the interface of Moorish Revival architecture.
The famous singer Yossele Rosenblatt was a cantor
there from 1911 to 1926, and again in 1929.
In 1926 O.Z. moved to its present building at 118 West 95th Street; the 116th Street property was sold, eventually becoming the Baptist Temple Church, which occupied the location for over five decades. Conversion into a church removed the Jewish-themed terracotta ornaments.
Costly structural damage necessitated the building's demolition, which occurred slowly throughout late 2009 and early 2010.
architecture. Designed by architect Charles B. Myers, the interior features magnificent Mudéjar
style plasterwork.
, the senior rabbi was Allen Schwartz, the assistant rabbi was Akiva Willig, and the cantor
was Rabbi Avrohom Moshe Farber.
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York City noted for its lively, youthful congregation. Founded in 1873, it moved to it current location on West 95th Street in 1926. , the senior rabbi was Allen Schwartz, the assistant rabbi was Akiva Willig, and the cantor
Hazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
was Rabbi Avrohom Moshe Farber.
Early history
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
. The congregation built a synagogue building at 70 Columbia Street in 1881. In 1886 the congregation sold the Columbia Street building to Congregation Ahavath Acheim Anshe Ungarn and moved into the gothic-style synagogue building 172 Norfolk Street that is now the Angel Orensanz Center
Angel Orensanz Center
The Angel Orensanz Center is located at 172 Norfolk Street on the Lower East Side of New York City, New York...
, the oldest surviving synagogue building in New York and the fourth-oldest in the United States.
116th Street building
In 1906–07 the congregation built and moved into a "monumental" building on 116th Street116th Street (Manhattan)
116th Street runs from Riverside Drive, overlooking the Hudson River, to the East River, through the New York City borough of Manhattan. It traverses the neighborhoods of Morningside Heights, Harlem, and Spanish Harlem; the street is interrupted between Morningside Heights and Harlem by Morningside...
, in the newly fashionable neighborhood of Harlem. The "monumental" design was influenced by the Gothic character of the previous Norfolk Street home. The street-facing gable prominently featured a large four-centered arch-headed window over a large pedimented doorcase, appearing styled in loose or Vernacular Gothic on the interface of Moorish Revival architecture.
The famous singer Yossele Rosenblatt was a cantor
Hazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
there from 1911 to 1926, and again in 1929.
In 1926 O.Z. moved to its present building at 118 West 95th Street; the 116th Street property was sold, eventually becoming the Baptist Temple Church, which occupied the location for over five decades. Conversion into a church removed the Jewish-themed terracotta ornaments.
Costly structural damage necessitated the building's demolition, which occurred slowly throughout late 2009 and early 2010.
Current building, West 95th Street
The current synagogue building at 118 West 95th Street (constructed in 1926) is noted for its Moorish RevivalMoorish Revival
Moorish Revival or Neo-Moorish is one of the exotic revival architectural styles that were adopted by architects of Europe and the Americas in the wake of the Romanticist fascination with all things oriental...
architecture. Designed by architect Charles B. Myers, the interior features magnificent Mudéjar
Mudéjar
Mudéjar is the name given to individual Moors or Muslims of Al-Andalus who remained in Iberia after the Christian Reconquista but were not converted to Christianity...
style plasterwork.
Early today 21st century
Early in the 21st century, the congregation became known for attracting large numbers of orthodox Jewish singles to its services and programs. The congregation published a book in 2005 about its history, First Hungarian Congregation Ohab Zedek, written by O.Z. member Chaim Steinberger., the senior rabbi was Allen Schwartz, the assistant rabbi was Akiva Willig, and the cantor
Hazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
was Rabbi Avrohom Moshe Farber.