Jewish Center of Williamsbridge (Bronx, New York)

Jewish Center of Williamsbridge (Bronx, New York)

Williamsbridge is a neighborhood in the north central Bronx, centered on Gun Hill Road and bounded to the north by East 233 rd Street, to the east by Edenwald, to the south by the neighborhood of Pelham Parkway, and to the west by the Bronx River. 1 The opening of subway lines in the 1930s and 1940s gave momentum to large scale public and private housing developments in new areas. As a result of this affordable housing, large numbers of Jews moved to Pelham Bay Park, Edenwald, Wakefield, Gun Hill Road, Williamsbridge, Olinville, Eastchester, Unionport, Throggs Neck and Woodland. 2

The Jewish Center of Williamsbridge was founded in 1924 by Harry Brettholtz. Brettholtz, a devout Jew, realized the need for a place of spiritual growth for the Jewish community. He called together a meeting of ten men at his home and explained the need for a house of worship and a Talmud Torah for the children. They discussed the building of a Jewish Center, where their children could be brought up in a Jewish atmosphere and the adults can enjoy a pleasant social life. 3

To begin, Brettholtz had his electricity connected to an unsold house adjoining his and synagogue services were temporarily held there. The official organization to be called the Jewish Center of Williamsbridge was soon launched and Mr. Brettholtz became its first President. The Jewish Center of Williamsbridge officially started in July of 1924 on 2910 Barnes Avenue, located opposite of the Botanic Gardens of Bronx Park in Williamsbridge. 4

Julius Pezenik donated two lots and a temporary wooden building was erected under the leadership of Brettholtz. Other neighbors joined the Center and the women of the community organized a Ladies Auxiliary that worked diligently to assist with the social activities of the Center. The auxiliary later became the Sisterhood. 5

From a small Congregation, Talmud Torah and Center, the Jewish Center of Williamsbridge grew to serve hundreds of Jewish families living in the neighborhood. The Center provided religious education for their children and spiritual guidance for their families. At the time, the Center became one of the largest synagogues in the United States.

The Center participated in the war effort in World War II, by taking part in the Red Cross, War Bond Drives, Civilian Defense Volunteer Office and any other war activity. The Jewish Center of Williamsbridge assisted the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) and Bonds for Israel, and cooperated in philanthropic and Yeshivah campaigns. 6 The Modern Orthodox synagogue flourished until the 1960s, when its members began to age or move to other neighborhoods. 7

Rabbi Akiba Predmesky served the Jewish Center of Williamsbridge and the neighboring community for over fifty years. 8 Upon his death in 1998, the Center's trustees decided to deconsecrate the building and sell it. 9 The Jewish Center of Williamsbridge closed in 2006. 10

Footnotes

1 Jackson, Kenneth T. The Encyclopedia of New York City . (AJHS Call #: REF F128.3.E75 1995)

2 Israelowitz, Oscar. Synagogues of New York City: History of a Jewish Community . Israelowitz Publishing, 2000: (AJHS Call #: REF BM225.N49 I85 2000)

3 30 th Anniversary Banquet Souvenir Programme 1924-1954 (I-509 collection, Box 5, Folder 1)

4 ibid

5 ibid

6 The Rabbi's Message from the 35 th Anniversary Journal (I-509, Box 5, Folder 2)

7 American Jewish Historical Society Living History, vol. 2, issue 2, Summer 2006 ( http://www.ajhs.org/images/LivingHistory.pdf ).

8 http://old.yuhsb.org/currentyr/admission/newsltr/2008-2009/5-28%20newsletter.pdf

9 American Jewish Historical Society Living History, vol. 2, issue 2, Summer 2006 ( http://www.ajhs.org/images/LivingHistory.pdf ).

10 ibid

From the guide to the Jewish Center of Williamsbridge (Bronx, New York), records, undated, 1921, 1924, 1931-1992, 1994-1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, (American Jewish Historical Society)