BEGINNINGS
The first of our congregation to make the journey from Greek Island of
Rhodes to Seattle was Nessim Alhadeff, (1904). Within three years all of his
brothers and others followed him. By 1909 the first steps at formal
organization were taken. Moved by the leadership of Haim DeLeon the
original group of Rhodeslis formed, (Succoth 1909) the KOUPA OZER
DALIM ANSHE RHODES - (the fund for the aid of the poor, people of
Rhodes) - with Solomon Alhadeff as president, Nessim AIhadeff as treasurer
and Harry Franco as secretary. Funds were raised from within the group and
were sent to the needy Jewish community of Rhodes.
EARLY TENSIONS
This forerunner of our congregation was not long lived in its original form.
By 1912 some disputes on procedural matters erupted, two factions
developed and a split occurred. One group with David J. Israel as president
and Reuben AIkana as secretary retained the original name, while the other
group with Nessim Alhadeff as president, Ed Tarica as treasurer and Harry
Franco as secretary took the name ACHDUTH- (unity). In order to divide
the assets to the satisfaction of all concerned, they invited Rabbi Samuel
Koch of Temple De-Hirsch to serve as mediator. The meeting was held at
the home of Asher Cohen.
The Rabbi managed to achieve a more positive result, however, for he
prevailed upon the small group to reunite (1912), now under the name of
KOUPA EZRA BESSAROTH OF RHODES. The name EZRA
BESSAROTH (a help in time of need) - is based on a verse in Psalms (46:
2) G-d is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble."
Marco Franco was elected president of this reunited group. Articles of
incorporation were filed in June 19,1914, dues were set at 25 cents a month.
OUR FIRST BUILDING
In the earliest years holiday services were held in rented halls, first at Ninth
and Yesler and later at Washington Hall. Haim DeLeon and Behor Morris
Scharhon used to lead the services.
In 1915 two lots were purchased on the corner of Fifteenth and East Fir
Street for about $7,000.00. For the high holy-days of 1916, Washington Hall
was again rented. However, late in the afternoon of Yom Kippur, before the
services were ended, the worshippers were forced to vacate the hall to make
room for some other group that had engaged the hall for a dance that
evening. This disruption determined the group in its resolve to be in its own
home by the next Yom Kippur.
It was estimated that it would cost between $15,000 - $17,000 to build the
synagogue. The members, (close to one hundred) made their pledges, but it
was soon apparent that ways and means would have to be found to raise the
substantial balance. A bazaar was planned and Mr. David Lipman consented
to serve as chairman. The group was most fortunate in the cooperation
offered by Mr. Lipman for he enlisted the aid and the experience of many
members of Temple De-Hirsch, particularly the ladies who collected
merchandise and organized themselves into shifts to guard it. The net result
of the bazaar, dance and sale of baked goods, was $5,000.00. This
additional sum made it possible to proceed with actual construction. Dr.
Harry S. Tarica was construction chairman, Solomon AIhadeff was
president and Sadick Angel was treasurer. All of the early pioneers were
most active in all phases of the project.
At last the dedication of the new synagogue took place with Rabbi Koch
doing the honors of the occasion. Haim DeLeon represented the
congregation as Hazzan.
The new Ezra Bessaroth was the first building in Seattle to be built under
Sephardic communal auspices. Dr. Harry S. Tarica was construction
chairman, Solomon Alhadeff was president and Sadick Angel was treasurer.
All of the early pioneers were most active in all phases of the project. Little
known fact is that the annual Ezra Bessaroth Bazaar was initiated as a
fund-raiser for this new structure. The new building was beautiful by any
standard. All the walls of the sanctuary were covered with canvas and hand
painted by a Mr. Moshkin, with ornate Middle Eastern style designs. Above
the Aron was a beautiful stained glass window. This very same window is
now currently on display outside the sanctuary of our current Synagogue.
There was one classroom upstairs and one classroom downstairs. There was
a very small kitchen. The infamous Washington hall was used for weddings
and larger celebrations.
In the early years the small dedicated group rotated offices, but no record of
the succession of officers existed. However, among the early presidents
were: Solomon Alhadeff, Marco Franco, Dr. Harry S. Tarica, Behor
AIhadeff, Jacob DeLeon, David Mosafer, Nessim Alhadeff, Harry Franco,
Dr. Issac Mossafer, Nessim Peha, Behor Rahamim Galanti and others.
The early years may be thought of as the period from 1904 through the first
World War. Following the war immigration resumed and continued in full
force until the restrictive changes in the immigration laws about 1924. A very
few arrived thereafter.
WHERE WE LIVED
From 1912 - 1915 many of the congregants had their homes on 12th avenue
south from Jackson to Yesler and atop a steep bank on Washington Street.
Then they all moved into the area extending from 14th avenue to 18th
avenue and from Jackson Street to Jefferson Street. Their third move was
up to 25th avenue and soon extended up to 32nd avenue, again between
Jackson and Jefferson.
AUXILIARY FOUNDED
In the early days the women also organized them selves into an auxiliary.
The first president was Leah Mossafer, followed by her daughter Bolissa
Rose Franco. Among the early presidents were: Sarah Mossafer, Bulissa
Esther Angel, Rose Alhadeff, Serena Cohen and others.
CULTURE
At that time social life centered about the synagogue and the group lived
close together in their own neighborhood in what is known the Central Area
of Seattle. In addition to the religious and life cycle events that are the center
of communal life, the congregants also turned to one another for social and
cultural events. Many plays were performed by and for the community
(usually in Ladino) up until World War II. As early as 1914 Mr. Morris
Hanan translated a Molier comedy into Ladino and it was staged with
members of the community as the cast. In the early years Mr. Leon Behar
wrote and directed a number of plays, among them, the Dreyfus Affair in
March of 1922, Joseph and His Brothers in July 1922, Love and Religion in
March 1927 and others.
In 1927 Henry Benezra became president of SBH with the central purpose
of amalgamating the Sephardic synagogues. He and like-minded members
convinced the SBH board to approach Ezra Bessaroth on the issue of
amalgamation. For more than half a year discussions led by Mr. Benezra and
Jack Caston continued with members of Ezra Bessaroth, but at the end the
majority of members of Ezra Bessaroth weren't willing to merge on an equal
basis. Nevertheless, the idea of amalgamation within the Sephardic
community was a powerful one, and was championed by people both inside
and outside of the Sephardic community. It continued to be discussed in
meetings of the SPF for the next few years, and numerous letters on this
pivotal topic appeared in the pages of the Seattle Transcript, the Jewish
newspaper of Seattle. As late as 1932 an editorial in the Seattle Transcript
urged amalgamation.
REVEREND BEHAR RETAINED AS HAZZAN
In 1918 The Rev. David J. Behar, known to the community as Chacham
Behar, consented to serve "only temporarily" as Hazzan. However, this
fortunate match found favor in the eyes of all parties and lasted for over a
half a century. At a time when much of the Jewish community was straying
from their roots, Reverend Behar strived to assure that Ezra Bessaroth
remained faithful to its time honored traditions. Rev. Behar assumed the
burden of spiritual and communal leadership alone until the arrival of Rabbi
Isidore Kahan in 1939.
RABBI ISADORE KAHAN
On April 25, 1939 Rabbi Isidore Kahan arrived in Seattle with his wife and
two daughters to serve as Rabbi for both Ezra Bessaroth and Sephardic
Bikur Holim. Rabbi Kahan would alternate between the two synagogues-one
Shabbat at Sephardic Bikur Holim and the next at Ezra Bessaroth. It was the
stated goal that this venture was to be the prelude to the merging of the two
sister congregations. Within a very short period the cooperative nature of the
venture between the two Sephardic Congregations dissolved and Rabbi
Kahan continued to serve as the Rabbi of congregation Ezra Bessaroth.
Rabbi Kahan had an excellent rabbinic training in Europe and was a man of
great education, holding a doctorate in Jurisprudence from the University of
Zurich. Rabbi Kahan served our congregation until his retirement in 1959, he
passed away on Succoth 1961.
EDUCATION
In the early 1930's the Sephardic congregations consolidated their schools
into the Sephardic Religious School and Albert Levy of New Yerk was
brought in' to head the school. Mr. levy returned to New York in Novem-bar
of 1934, and the school continued with Reverend Behar and Scharhon as
staff. In 1938 Mr. Levy returned and joined the staff. In the late 1940's the
school was dissolved and Rev. Behar continued to provide instruction for
our children in his own private school.
CEMETERY
The first Rhodesli burials were in the Herzl Cemetery. When the Sephardic
Bikur Holim purchased burial ground near Washelli an arrangement was
made whereby gravesites were sold to Ezra Bessaroth members as the need
arose. In 1920 a subsidiary group of the Ezra Bessaroth was formed called
Ahavath Shalom also known as Sociedad De Huevos. In 1933 this group
under the leadership of Zadik Angel, Jacob DeLeon, Behor Solam, Mike
AIkana and Rev. Behar purchased cemetery ground (presently the Sephardic
Brotherhood Cemetery.)
SEPHARDIC BROTHERHOOD FORMED
The Sephardic Brotherhood was formed through an amalgamation (1935) of
the Sephardic Progressive Fraternity, the Shalom Aleichem and the Ahavath
Shalom - three social groups of the Sephardic community of Seattle.
EB MOVES TO SEWARD PARK
As the inner city location of The Ezra Bessaroth community began to
deteriorate in the mid- 1950ís, many of our congregants began to move
elsewhere. Seeing the possible dispersion of this tight knit community, the
Congregations leaders acted early and acted fast. A spirited meeting of the
membership was held at the Leschi-based Corinthian Yacht club in 1956.
The meeting was to discuss the merits and drawbacks of relocating the
community. Many of our more mature members can still recall Reverend
Beharís impassioned plea at that meeting of the necessity of moving to
Seward Park.
Several years ahead of its two sister congregations, Ezra Bessaroth
purchased land for a new building in the lakeside neighborhood of Seward
Park. With the foresight of such men as Rev. David J. Behar and Ness J.
Peha, most of the congregation had relocated to Seward Park by the time of
the dedication of our new building on August 17th 1958.
The new building was a two-phase project. First an all purpose Social hall
and religious school was to be built (1957) and only later (1969) would a
separate Sanctuary be constructed. Many baby boomers can recall when
later services were conducted in what is now the Social Hall. In fact the
kitchen freezer of our current building sits where the Midrash of Phase I
once stood.
YOUNG MEN'S CLUB FORMED
In 1955 under the presidential leadership of Ralph Benaroya, the Ezra
Bessaroth Young Mens Club was founded with Joseph D. Peha as president.
The purpose of this club was to train young men (ages 18-39) for future
synagogue leadership, "to cooperate with the Congregation Ezra Bessaroth in
stimulating Jewish Religion activities; to foster cultural and educational
advancement among its membership and the Jewish people at large; and to
promote through social intercourse the spirit of comradeship among its
members." Social and youth activities were their specific area of
responsibility. The club continued in existence until the start of the building
campaign for the current sanctuary.
RABBI SHALEM ARRIVES
After the retirement of Rabbi Kahan in May of 1959, Rabbi Abraham
Shalem was appointed as the congregation's new Rabbi. Rabbi Shalem
served the congregation for three and a half years. Rabbi Shalem vacated his
position at Ezra Bessaroth after Congregation Mount Sinai in Mexico City
asked for his services as Rabbi and member of the Beth Din of that city, An
office which he occupied for fourteen years, until 1977. Rabbi Shalem
currently resides in Jerusalem, where he is a well known and respected
Chaham. (A special thanks to Mo Stoltzman, nephew of Rabbi Shalem, who
helped update this section)
RABBI GREENBERG ARRIVES
In September of 1962 Rabbi William Greenberg assumed the pulpit of Ezra
Bessaroth where he served admirably until his retirement in 1990. Rabbi
Greenberg dazzled the congregation with his remarkable and inspiring
sermons. He was a pioneer teacher at the Northwest Yeshiva High School
and established several adult learning programs in Seattle. A parent of four,
the congregation delighted in watching Sara, Donny, Dena, and Aryeh grow
up before our eyes. A warm highlight of Rabbi Greenbergís tenure was the
many Pesah and Succot Kiddushim hosted by the Rabbi and his wife Rosa
over the years. Rabbi Greenberg continued to serve the Congregation as our
Rabbi Emeritus and is an honored and well-respected community leader after
his retirement in 1990. Rabbi Greenberg passed away on May 31, 2007 (14
Sivan, 5767). In a remarkable display of the respect and love he so
deservedly earned from the community, his memorial service in the Ezra
Bessaroth sanctuary was standing room only, with all of the major Seattle
Rabbis and community leaders in attendance.
ISAAC AZOSE RETAINED AS HAZZAN
In the early 1960ís Rev. Behar expressed a desire to retire as primary
Hazzan in June of 1965, Robert J. Franco contacted a young Seattle talent
by the name of Isaac Azose. It took much urging and persuasion to convince
young Isaac to try out as Hazzan during the upcoming high holiday services
of 1965.Hazzan Azose was subsequently hired on a full time basis by the
congregation in march 1966. It must be said here that our congregation has
been truly blessed by Hazzan Azose's magnificent voice and kindhearted
presence over these past 33 years. This historian would be remiss not to
mention Hazzan Azose's partner and better half, Lily. Her incredible
hospitality, scrumptious cooking and delightful personality has made our
community and synagogue a better place. It was with much sadness that the
congregation received Hazzan Azose's announcement of his intention to
retire in the next year.
CURRENT SANCTUARY IS COMPLETED
Construction of our current Sanctuary (Phase II) began in 1968 with Mrs.
Rosa Berro performing the groundbreaking on August 25th of that year. The
members of Ezra Bessaroth were bursting with pride and appreciation to the
almighty as our Sanctuary was dedicated in September of 1970.
GABBAIM KEEP THE CONGREGATION RUNNING
A congregation cannot function without its Gabbai. Ezra Bessaroth has had
six Gabbaim over the years. Hermano Sadik Angel, Bohor David Solam,
Bohor Ephraim Shemaria, Rahamim Alhadeff, Elazar D. Behar and Norman
Behar. Elazar began serving as assistant gabbai after he left the Navy in
1946. This means that Elazar has been serving our congregation
uninterrupted (and as a volunteer!) for well over 50 years. Elazar retired in
2000 becoming our Gabbai Emeritus.
YOUTH DIRECTORS
Understanding that our future is in the hands of our youth, in the early
1970ís the congregation hired its first salaried youth director, Rabbi David
Angel. With the advent of The Reverend David J. Behar Youth Program in
the late 1970's our youth program has thrived. Other youth directors of note
were Norman Goldwasser, Richard Okrent, Lea Behar Hanan, Erin
Rabinowitz, Naomi Solam, Rabbi Benjamin Owen, Rabbi Yossi Azose,
Elana Okrent, Bnai Akiva and Natalie Sakavi.
RABBI YAMIN LEVY 1990-2000
Rabbi Yamin Levy (along with his wife D'vorah and their lovely children)
was retained as the spiritual leader of our Congregation from 1990 through
2000. With his youthful energy and inspiring leadership the Congregation has
grown both in size and spirit. It was under Rabbi Levy's direction that the
congregation adopted a family from Tashkent, Uzbekistan in the former
Soviet Union. Little did we know that this noble gesture would be the
beginnings of a significant Bukharian community in our congregation.
Ongoing Jewish education projects (The David H. Alhadeff Institute of
Torah Study); a premiere youth program and effective outreach efforts
swelled the numbers of our membership in this decade. A new excitement
and vibrancy was the mark of Ezra Bessaroth in the 1990's.
RABBI SALOMON COHEN-SCALI
Our kehila was fortunate enough to retain Rabbi Cohen-Scali in the Fall of
2001. The Rabbi brought with him his lovely wife Raquel along with
children Esther, Mercedes, Samuel, Moshe Chayim and Miriam. Rabbi
Cohen-Scali refocused the Congregation on our spiritual roots while building
ever stronger ties with the State of Israel. Rabbi Cohen-Scali introduced in
October of 2002 what would become (together with SBH) an annual
Solidarity mission to Israel.
As we approach the upcoming milestone of our 100th anniversary there is
obviously much more to tell. This feature is an ongoing project that will grow
and evolve with time. It is an interactive site and Congregants are
encouraged to E-mail us with their own personal recollections, photos and
anecdotes about our beloved Synagogue to be included in this feature.
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