Mission & History
Vision
"Habonim" means "the builders" in Hebrew, and Congregation Habonim is dedicated to building Jewish community together. We are a vibrant Conservative egalitarian synagogue, offering a haven of warmth and spiritual growth on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Habonim is where we “build” deep connections to Judaism, to each other and to the broader community - in our thriving Nursery and Religious Schools, in our memorable B’nai Mitzvah, in our exceptional family, teen and adult services and programming, and in our community outreach programs.
It is where we “build” strong relationships among our congregants, who regularly learn together, cook and bake together, share a simcha or a story, check in on a sick friend, and comfort those facing challenges.
And Habonim is where we “build” engaged and active members through meaningful volunteer opportunities and pathways to leadership.
President Susan Grant is a life long member of Habonim, and would love to answer any questions that you may have – reach out to her at president@habonim.net. Susan describes our mission as providing a community filled with nourishment for the soul, the heart and the stomach. (As a former president says of our legendary Shabbat kiddush lunch, “Feed them and they shall come!”)
History
Habonim was founded in November 1939, exactly one year after Kristallnacht, by Rabbi Hugo Hahn and other refugees whose shul in Essen, Germany was destroyed. Congregants came from all over New York City to experience the style of worship the had been accustomed to, and to seek the solace of religious community as they built a new life and congregation in a new country.
In the late 1940’s, Rabbi Hahn located a piece of property on West 66th Street. Habonim bought the property and began construction of our building five years later. In 1958, Habonim had its own permanent home. Although originally affiliated with the Reform movement, Habomin joined the Conservative movement in 1995.
At its height, Habonim had 1100 members with about 400 of them in Queens. Services and religious school were held in both Manhattan and Queens. At one point there were so many students in Queens that Habonim purchased a building for the school in Rego Park. Many of our original founding members still reside in Queens The Nursery School opened in 1997 and has been a huge success, with 25% of Habonim’s new members come through the Nursery School.
Habonim Today and in the Future
Today Habonim is building once again, and will soon move into a beautiful new home! Learn all about our New Building and come see for yourself what makes Habonim and our members our Jewish home and family.
- Come to our Shabbat services on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings and to our High Holy Day and other holiday services.
- Find out more about our wonderful Nursery School or Religious School, and our dynamic Lomdim program for teens.
- Connect with us at our community events.
- Learn with us at our excellent adult educational programs.
We invite you to join us in our holy mission of building Jewish community together.
