They gathered on the corner of Eighth Avenue and 14th Street, in front of the building that had served as their home for more than a decade. Men, women and children, members of Congregation B’nai Jacob, were preparing to march from the Park Slope Jewish Center, where the small Modern Orthodox congregation held services in the basement, to their new home a few blocks away.For the past year, the 50-family congregation has been holding services in the edifice it recently purchased, the former American Legion building at 401 Ninth Ave. But last week’s parade, led by two Torahs under a chupah, was symbolic of the travels the congregation has taken and others that lie ahead.“We have a new home,” said Marna Tolchin, who recently joined the congregation with her husband. “The synagogue now has its own independent identity.”It has been nearly 16 years since B’nai Jacob had its own building. For much of that period, the congregation and the Park Slope Jewish Center were involved in a sometimes bitter debate while sharing space.The dispute began when liberal members of the congregation voted to hold egalitarian services, resulting in the creation of two minyans.A final settlement was reached just days before the dedication of the new building and the Torah procession.But on this day, no one wanted to talk about past squabbles.During the parade, escorted by police cars as it wended its way through the streets of Park Slope, men took turns holding the two Torahs. Rabbi Shimon Hecht, Beth Jacob’s spiritual leader, danced before the sacred scrolls with members of his community. The procession — couples pushing strollers, rabbis wearing fedoras near women in short skirts — drew curious stares. Many residents stopped to ask what the celebration was about.Piquing interest was exactly what Rabbi Hecht wanted.“The saying goes, ‘If you build it, they will come.’ We’re letting the community know that we’ve built it,” he said.“It was a long road to reach this spot,” said B’nai Jacob president Alex Novack addressing the crowd, which included local politicians, when it arrived in front of the Ninth Avenue building. Rep. Anthony Weiner, who grew up in Park Slope but now represents Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods further east, jokingly assured neighbors who saw traffic stopped during the Torah procession that they need not worry about traffic jams on Saturday mornings.During the dedication ceremony on the stairs of the new synagogue, the congregation honored Paula Sayles, whose financial help assisted in the purchase of the building. Also honored for their financial support were Leon Goldstein and Charles Kupferman. Some 50 years ago, prior to its sale to the American Legion, the building had been a synagogue, Congregation Beth Shalom. Sayles and Kupferman were members of that congregation. Sayles, 94, still lives in Park Slope.Following the dedication outdoors, congregants entered the sanctuary, where they danced with the Torah and had the Hakafot service.While the dedication was held last week, work on the building is far from complete.“It is going to take a lot of money, energy and effort,” said member Joel Robinson.The main hall, neglected for more than two decades, has fallen into disrepair. The roof was covered to stop leaks and prevent birds from nesting. Even as the area was being remodeled, the congregation began holding services in the social hall downstairs. The focus now turns to the main sanctuary.“The real goal is to fix up the upstairs,” Tolchin said. “Eventually we can do a real restoration.” Rabbi Hecht says remodeling the main sanctuary will cost $500,000.“The shul is a second home for us,” said Valerie Elkind. “It is beautiful watching something grow from the bottom up. Everyday you can see the rewards. Congregation B’nai Jacob can grow physically with the new building.”The congregation plans to reach out to the community for members.“This area is growing very fast,” said Robinson, originally from New Zealand. “The community is open, welcoming. The shul is the friendliest I’ve ever been in.”Another focus is to mend the acrimony between the two synagogues as a result of the 15 years of dispute. “We are very happy and wish them well,” said Harold Sjursen, a trustee of the Park Slope Jewish Center, who participated in the Torah procession and the dedication of the new synagogue. “We foresee doing programs together from time to time.”Rabbi Hecht agreed.“Any function that Jews can do as one is a great thing,” he said, “and I think should happen.”
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