The year was 1897, and the Williamsburg Bridge was only one year into its construction. Its completion in the year 1903 would bring a torrent of immigrants, but the handful of Yidden then in Williamsburg came together to found the Beis Hamedrosh Hagodol of Williamsburg on Moore Street, where many of the Yidden of Williamsburg then resided.

Over the years, it would be one of the Williamsburg’s most important spiritual outposts, with a number of prominent Rabbonim serving as its leaders. Here, we give a brief historical overview of this storied congregation.    

Backdrop

The origins of the Beis Hamedrash Hagodol are intricately intertwined with the influx of immigrants to this country, and later to Williamsburg, and we read about some of this early history in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle:  

“In the eighties, Russia’s persecution of the Jews sent many over to this country. Those who came to Brooklyn settled along Ewen (now Manhattan), Moore, Seigel, Varet, and the neighboring streets (notably, this area is further east from the Williamsburg Bridge than where the Jewish community of Williamsburg is located today). 

The Beth Hamidrash Hagodol 

A few years later was organized Beth Hamidrash Hagodol, now at 46 Moore Street. This congregation is intensely orthodox. In its early days it set the standard in religious practices and thought for a new community. At an early date, it was fortunate in securing the services of an able Rabbi Samuel (Shabsi) Rosenberg. His sermons attracted a large number of hearers, old as well as young. 

An article in the Times Union from the year 1911 gives us a glimpse into the prominence of this congregation: “The Sixteenth Ward had many congregations. One of the oldest, and in many respects the most important congregations in the borough is Beth Hamidrash Hagodol, at 46 Moore Street. This congregation is a landmark in the development of the community. Although it does not occupy a spacious or imposing dwelling, its influence on the older generation has been a determining factor in molding its growth.” 

“Rival Synagogue Built” 

As often occurs, the bliss of the founding years of the congregation were not to last long, as we continue to read in the Eagle. “Dissension, however, soon arose among the members. Some including Rabbi Rosenberg, seceded and organized a new synagogue, Beth Hamidrash Kether Torah, at 50 Moore Street, with Jacob L. Werbelowsky as president. 

“More than half of the members of the original congregation went with Rabbi Rosenberg—now two synagogues stand side by side on Moore Street. Exciting times during the recent festivals. The unusual sight of two rival synagogues standing side by side is now presented to anyone who happens to pass through the lower part of Moore Street in the Sixteenth Ward. Both synagogues are built exactly alike, expecting that the last one erected is constructed almost entirely of brick, while the other one is a frame building. From across the street, however, both synagogues look alike, for the trustees of the old house of worship have painted the front so that it conforms with that part of the new synagogue facing the street. 

“Just why the new synagogue, which was opened and consecrated last week, was built, is difficult to say. There are a hundred different stories told. It appears from what could be learned that the old synagogue at 44 and 46 Moore Street has for years been the most prosperous Jewish Schule in that quarter of the eastern district and that every member of the congregation was satisfied with the leadership of Rabbi Rosenberg until about a year ago when something happened that displeased them…. Rabbi Rosenberg had a great many followers in the old congregation and they went with him. 

The two shuls stood side by side for a quarter century, until Kesser Torah moved to new, grander quarters in 1923. Beis Hamedrosh Hagodol continued to stand at its original location at 46 Moore Street until at least as late as 1940.