About Us

Established in the early 1900s, the Jewish community of East Flatbush quickly became a vital haven for Jewish life in Brooklyn. In the mid 1900's at its heart stood the Rabbinical Board and the Beth Din of East Flatbush, an institution that emerged as central pillars of religious and communal authority in the area. During both the pre- and post-World War II periods, the neighborhood flourished with vibrant Jewish life, including numerous synagogues, yeshivas, and community organizations.

The rabbis of East Flatbush played a pivotal role in guiding their congregants through spiritual and legal matters, ensuring that Jewish law (halacha) was upheld and that communal needs were met with dedication and care. The Beth Din was not merely a religious court—it was a source of unity, offering leadership and continuity during times of growth and challenge.

Among the notable rabbis who served the community were Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht, who led Congregation Yeshiva Rabbi Meir Simcha Hakohen at 309 E. 53rd Street. and Rabbi Chaim Meir Bukiet, who guided Oneg Shabbos on E. 51st Street. These esteemed leaders were instrumental in sustaining Jewish life, particularly during turbulent decades when the future of many institutions was uncertain.

Equally legendary was Rabbi Michoel Teitelbaum, whose tireless efforts helped ensure the survival of several local synagogues as demographics shifted and the community began to dwindle. His unwavering commitment to maintaining daily minyanim and preserving Jewish institutions left an indelible mark on East Flatbush and beyond.

The legacy of the Beth Din and the Rabbinical Board stands as a testament to the resilience, dedication, and spiritual fortitude of East Flatbush’s Jewish community. Even today, their influence endures, as traditions and values upheld by these leaders continue to serve as a cornerstone of Jewish life in the neighborhood.

Early archives demonstrate that the following additional Rabbis, of saintly memory, also served this once vibrant Jewish haven and some were also part of the Rabbinical Board & Beth Din of East Flatbush.

1. Rabbi Yosef Zvi Aharonsohn

2. Rabbi Samuel H. Barenholtz

3. Rabbi Eliezer (Leopold) Cohen

4. Rabbi Shlomo Drilman

5. Rabbi Yosef Moshe Frankel

6. Rabbi Samuel Garlin

7. Rabbi Chaim Karlitzky

8. Rabbi Yehoshua Kreiser

9. Rabbi Meyer Lazar

10. Rabbi Yakov Lebowitz

11. Rabbi Avigdor Miller

12. Rabbi Yitzchok Yoel Rabinowitz (Manstrishter Rav)

13. Rabbi Solomon Rottenberg

14. Rabbi Shlomo Dov (Solomon B.) Shapiro

15. Rabbi Yehudah Leib Silberberg

16. Rabbi Gilbert L. Steinberg

17. Rabbi Avraham Yungreis

18. Rabbi Yakov (Jacob) Zakheim