Synagogue of Deal

{{Infobox religious building

| name = Synagogue of Deal

| native_name =

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| image = Synagogue of Deal.jpg

| image_upright = 1.4

| alt =

| caption = Synagogue of Deal, in 2020

| map_type = New Jersey

| map_size = 250

| map_alt =

| map_relief = 1

| map_caption = Location in New Jersey

| coordinates = {{coord|40|15|09|N|74|00|04|W|type:landmark_region:US-NJ|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates_footnotes =

| religious_affiliation = Orthodox Judaism

| location = 128 Norwood Avenue, Deal, New Jersey

| municipality =

| state =

| country = United States

| organisational_status = Synagogue

| functional_status = Active

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| governing_body =

| leadership = Rabbi Isaac Dwek

| patron =

| religious_features_label =

| religious_features =

| architect = Glicksman & Rizzo

| architecture_type = Synagogue architecture

| architecture_style = Modernist

| founded_by = Syrian Jewish community of New Jersey

| creator =

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| established = 1973 {{small|(as a congregation)}}

| groundbreaking =

| year_completed = 1973

| construction_cost = $700,000

| date_demolished =

| facade_direction =

| capacity = 325 seats

| length =

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| interior_area = {{cvt|12600|sqft|m2}}

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| materials = Brick, timber

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| website = http://dealshul.org/

}}

The Synagogue of Deal is a Sephardi Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located on Norwood Avenue in Deal, New Jersey, in the United States. Established in 1973 by the local Syrian Jewish community, it was the first synagogue built in Deal.

Background

The Syrian Jewish community of New Jersey, which traces its roots to Syria, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq,{{cite web |title=The History of Sephardim in New Jersey |url=https://www.etzahaim.org/history/2017/5/11/the-history-of-sephardim-in-new-jersey |website=Congregation Etz Ahaim - Sephardic |accessdate=23 July 2020}} initially coalesced as a summer community in Bradley Beach. Members began moving to Deal in the 1960s, and by 1973 the Deal community numbered more than 100 homeowners.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/nyregion/25deal.html |title=Sephardic Jews Developed Haven on the Jersey Shore |first=Kareem |last=Fahim |date=July 24, 2009 |accessdate=July 24, 2020 |work=The New York Times}} Thousands of Syrian Jewish families continued to descend on the borough during the summers, and by 2009 local historians estimated that the year-round population in Deal was 80 percent Syrian Jewish.

History

Syrian Jews, a Sephardi community which maintains strong Orthodox traditions, had been praying together in members' homes in Deal and also in a local social hall for many years. The Synagogue of Deal was dedicated in 1973 after a 15-year effort to establish a house of worship for the growing community.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/07/08/archives/synagogue-is-opening-in-deal.html |title=Synagogue Is Opening in Deal |date=July 8, 1973 |accessdate=July 24, 2020 |work=The New York Times}} It was the first synagogue to be built in Deal.

At the dedication ceremony in July 1973, three antique Persian Torah scrolls, estimated to be about 200 years and which had been "artistically restored", were gifted to the synagogue, bringing its total of Torah scrolls to five. Upon its opening, 200 families joined the synagogue's membership rolls. By 1979, membership had increased to 450 families. The synagogue also operated three satellite locations in order "to make it as convenient as possible for people to get to the synagogue", according to spiritual leader Rabbi Isaac Dwek.

In the late 1990s, congregants of the Synagogue of Deal helped create an eruv, a halakhic boundary enabling residents to carry items on Shabbat between private and public domains. The {{cvt|18|mi|adj=on}}-long boundary, called the Jersey Shore Eruv, encircles Deal and seven nearby municipalities.{{Cite journal |last=Novek |first=Eleanor M. |date=March 2002 |title=Gates of Conflict: Communication, Symbolic Spaces and the Construction of Difference in Faith Communities |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15456870209367415 |journal=New Jersey Journal of Communication |language=en |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=57 |doi=10.1080/15456870209367415 |s2cid=152030493 |issn=1067-9154 |quote=In 1999, a group of [Deal's] Orthodox Jewish residents affiliated with the Synagogue of Deal announced that a public eruv had been completed, not only in Deal but also in seven other surrounding municipalities …|url-access=subscription }}{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56278047/asbury-park-press/ |title=Construction of erub prompts controversy |newspaper=Asbury Park Press |date=September 19, 1999 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{open access}}

Architecture

The {{cvt|7000|sqft|adj=on}} building, constructed from brick and timber, was designed by architects Glucksman & Rizzo of Irvington, New Jersey. The synagogue is octagonal-shaped. Its main sanctuary seats 325 people and it also has a small chapel which seats 80. Additional facilities include a library and office. Construction costs were estimated at $700,000.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55976893/asbury-park-press/ |title=Synagogue of Deal Holds Edifice Dedication Today |newspaper=Asbury Park Press |date=July 8, 1973 |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{open access}}

In 1981, the synagogue received variances from the city to allow it to construct a {{cvt|12600|sqft|adj=on}} addition to accommodate its growing membership. The cost of the new building was estimated at $400,000.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56278299/asbury-park-press/ |title=Variances granted for Deal synagogue |newspaper=Asbury Park Press|date=April 3, 1981 |page=66 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{open access}} A renovation was completed in 2020.

Activities

The Syrian Jewish community's social life traditionally centers around the Sephardi synagogue.{{cite book |last1=Bernard |first1=Postal |last2=Koppman |first2=Lionel |volume=1 |title=American Jewish Landmarks: A Travel Guide and History |date=1977 |page=206 |url=https://archive.org/details/americanjewishla0001post/page/206/mode/1up |publisher=Fleet Press |location=New York |isbn=9780830301522 |oclc=1156789945}} The birth of a child, a bar mitzvah, and a wedding anniversary are all marked by receptions and luncheons held after Shabbat morning services. The synagogue has an active sisterhood and men's club.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55976261/asbury-park-press/ |title=Sephardic Jewish Community A Growing Minority Minority |newspaper=Asbury Park Press |date=March 23, 1979 |page=5 |first=Ann |last=Brenoff |via=Newspapers.com}}{{open access}}

In 2019, a kollel opened on the premises under the direction of Rabbi Mechael Semah.{{cite web |url=https://hamodia.com/2019/11/21/ideal-outcome-deal/ |title=An Ideal Outcome in Deal |date=November 21, 2019 |accessdate=July 26, 2020 |work=Hamodia}}

Incidents

In August 2009, Deal police received an anonymous bomb threat against the synagogue and two other Orthodox synagogues in Monmouth County. The building was evacuated and searched but no explosives were found.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55978129/asbury-park-press/ |title=Synagogue threats still under probe |first=Michelle |last=Sahn| date=August 6, 2009 |page=15 |newspaper=Asbury Park Press |via=Newspapers.com }}{{open access}}

Leadership

The congregation's first spiritual leader was Rabbi Morris A. Shmidman, formerly rabbi emeritus of Congregation Sons of Israel of Asbury Park. Shortly after the synagogue building was erected, the congregation hired Rabbi Isaac Dwek as their spiritual leader.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56095198/asbury-park-press/ |title=Ancient Rites Vital to Sephardic Jews|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|date=March 23, 1979|page=15| via=Newspapers.com}}{{open access}} Dwek had emigrated from Syria with his family in 1960 when he was 13 years old{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56094965/asbury-park-press/|title=Deal Rabbi in Syrian Marriage Mission|first=Myrna|last=Lippman|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|date=August 7, 1977|page=2|via=Newspapers.com}}{{open access}} and received rabbinic ordination at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel of Toronto.{{cite web |url=https://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/bitachon-means-knowing-hashem-will-come-through-for-you-rabbi-yitzchak-dwek-on-living-a-life-of-faith-and-trust-in-god/2017/12/13/ |title='Bitachon Means Knowing Hashem Will Come Through For You': Rabbi Yitzchak Dwek on living a life of faith and trust in God |first=Beth|last=Sarafraz |date=December 13, 2017 |accessdate=July 26, 2020 |work=The Jewish Press}}