It started with a question: why do I have nowhere to go?
In 2008, Moshe Chanin noticed that Shabbos after Shabbos looked the same: home from work on Friday, a nap, straight to the meal; sleep in on Shabbos morning, straight to the meal again. One Shabbos morning he woke up and asked himself why he had nowhere to go. It had been so long since he'd been to shul, and there was nowhere he wanted to be.
That day, a friend happened to be walking by. "What if we started a shul?" Moshe asked him. "Would you commit $100 a month?" He went to 770 and asked a few more friends. His brother Mendy offered space in a basement, and once ten people had committed, they were ready.
The first minyan came together on Motzei Shabbos Selichos. From there the shul has grown into one of Crown Heights' best kept secrets.
“There's something really special about it being founded upon somebody not having a place to daven — and now being a home to many.”
Over the years, the shtiebel has been part of projects far beyond its own walls. It was the first religious organization to use Indiegogo for a religious cause — a campaign headed by founder Moshe Poltorak to write a Sefer Torah in memory of a late member, Kazi Benjamin, OBM.
None of it would have happened without our Rav, Rabbi Chaim Fogelman, who joined us in 2010. With his love, care, kindness and leadership, the shul has, B”H, accomplished a lot — and the farbrengens, shiurim and kiddushim keep going strong.
Rabbi Yitzchak (Itchke) Gansburg, a”h
Rabbi Yitzchak (Itchke) Gansburg was a devoted chossid of the Rebbe, a passionate educator, and a man whose presence radiated joy. Blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and a natural happiness, he brought light to every room he entered and was deeply loved for who he was.
Together with his wife Gita, he helped establish Chabad schools throughout Israel, often moving once a school was established, always putting the mission first. His love of Chassidic niggunim, his dedication to the Rebbe, and his sincere ahavas Yisroel left a lasting imprint on all who knew him.
Itchke's Shtiebel carries his name as a living reflection of that joy, dedication, and love for every Jew.
Rabbi Chaim Fogelman
Rabbi Fogelman joined the shtiebel in 2010. Under his love, care and leadership the shul farbrengs every Shabbos, learns together in weekly shiurim, and runs kids programs for all ages.
Our board
- Eli BlachmanPresident Emeritus
- Yaniv BazelBoard Member
- Ben CousinBoard Member
- Sroli CreegerBoard Member
Kids programs
- All agesKids Program & Jr. MinyanEvery Shabbos, 10:30am – 12:30pm
- Ages 7 and upKids Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Yekutiel GoldsteinEvery Shabbos, 9:30am (10:00am on Shabbos Mevorchim)