Riverdale Jewish Center
| Riverdale Jewish Center | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Modern Orthodox Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Leadership |
|
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 3700 Independence Avenue, Riverdale, The Bronx, New York City, New York 10463 |
| Country | United States |
Location in the Bronx | |
| Geographic coordinates | 40°53′17″N 73°54′46″W / 40.88806°N 73.91278°W |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Yeshiva University |
| Date established | 1954 (as a congregation) |
| Website | |
| rjconline | |
The Riverdale Jewish Center, abbreviated as RJC, is a Modern Orthodox synagogue located at 3700 Independence Avenue, in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, New York City, New York, United States.[1]
History
The synagogue was founded by the Communal Services Division of Yeshiva University and has always identified itself as a bastion of that institution.
Its rabbis have included its founder Jacob Sable, Irving Greenberg, Yehezkel Hartmann, Joshua Shmidman, Abner Weiss, and Jonathan Rosenblatt.[2][3]
In May 2015, the New York Times claimed that Rosenblatt had a history—in the 1980s and 1990s—of inviting teenage boys to play squash or racquetball, often accompanied by sitting in a sauna naked together.[4] There were no allegations of sexual touching or criminal conduct,[5] and Rosenblatt retained his position as rabbi of the RJC.[6][7]
The senior rabbi is Rabbi Dovid Zirkind, and the assistant rabbi is Rabbi Tzvi Benoff.[8]
The charter school Atmosphere Academy uses part of the building for 8th-grade classes during the week.
Attacks on the synagogue
In the 2009 New York City bomb plot the New York City Police Department foiled a plot by American Muslims to bomb the synagogue.[9] On May 30, 2009, New York Governor David Paterson announced he would give the Center and the Riverdale Reform Temple $25,000 each to improve their security.[10]
In 2021, the synagogue was subject to vandalism, including rocks thrown through the synagogue's windows.[11][12]
Notable members
References
- ^ Freedman, Samuel G. (May 30, 2009). "Two Rabbis Find They're Separated Only by Doctrine". The New York Times.
- ^ Ohlheiser, Michelle; Boorstein, Abby; Larimer, Sarah (November 18, 2014). "American victims of synagogue attack include rabbi from 'family of princes'". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
- ^ "RJC: Rabbi Rosenblatt to Step Down". The Jewish Link of Bronx, Westchester & Connecticut. March 3, 2016. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
- ^ Newman, Andy; Otterman, Sharon (May 29, 2015). "Debate over the Rabbi and the Sauna". The New York Times.
- ^ Shahrigian, Shant (March 2, 2016). "DA found no criminal conduct by Rabbi Rosenblatt". The Riverdale Press. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
- ^ Newman, Andy (June 29, 2015). "Rabbi Who Had Naked Chats in Sauna Intends to Keep His Job at Riverdale Jewish Center". The New York Times. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ Yoffie, Eric H. (August 21, 2015). "By Keeping 'Naked Sauna' Rabbi, Riverdale Jewish Center Is Failing Its Community". Haaretz. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ "Leadership". Riverdale Jewish Center. n.d. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ Hernandez, Javier C.; Chan, Sewell (May 21, 2009). "N.Y. Bomb Plot Suspects Acted Alone, Police Say". The New York Times.
- ^ "Targeted Bronx synagogues to get security funds". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. June 2, 2009. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012.
- ^ "Bronx synagogue vandal strikes again at Riverdale Jewish Center". The Jerusalem Post. April 27, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ Silow-Carroll, Andrew (April 28, 2021). "Bronx synagogue vandal strikes Riverdale Jewish Center in latest attack". The Times of Israel. Retrieved December 8, 2023.