Shaare Zion Of Great Neck

We Exist to Transform Lives

It was the dream of Joseph Ades Z"L, a Sephardic Syrian living in Great Neck, New York (the Grandfather of Morris Levy and David Ades) to build an orthodox, Sephardic Synagogue in Great Neck in the style and traditions of Aram Zova in Aleppo, Syria. In 1967 he requested that Abe Hedaya relocate to Great Neck from Brooklyn to help him accomplish his "dream". Thus, the first Aram Zova Minyan in Great Neck was started with Shabbat services every week at Abe and Elaine Hedaya’s home, followed by a beautiful Kiddush prepared by Elaine. In 1968 Joseph Ades Z"L, purchased a property in Kings Point, Great Neck where he planned to build a Synagogue and Aram Zova center. However, the village permits were not granted and, nevertheless, Shabbat Minyans and High Holidays services were conducted at rooms in Temple Israel and then Great Neck Synagogue. The Levy and the Ades families never forgot the dream of Joseph Ades Z”L and set out to accomplish the task of building a Syrian Sephardic Synagogue and Aram Zova center in Great Neck by first renting rooms from various restaurants and later participating in the purchase of a building in Great Neck that would become the congregation’s house of worship.

Thus in 1992, Congregation Shaare Zion of Great neck was born, which came into being as a corporation on August 27, 1993. Two years later the medical building at 225 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck was purchased and construction of the Synagogue began in earnest. The plans were approved by the Great Neck Village on May 15, 1995 and construction was finished in 1997. A beautiful traditional building with the entire outside covered in Jerusalem Stone was completed. The Founders of the Congregation who also donated the seed money for the purchase of the property and the new construction were: Stephen (Shaya) Levy Z”L, Morris Levy, Bob Ades Z”L, Albert (Al) Ades, Jack Nasser Z”L, Morris Nasser, Joshua Setton, Elisha Najjar, and Abe Hedaya.

Today, thank G-d, Shaare Zion is open for services 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We have minyanim throughout the day during the week and on Shabbat/Holidays. We also offer many classes on a daily basis on a variety of topics such as Halacha, Gemara, Parasha, and Hashkafa. Additionally, the synagogue have been very involved in many worthy chesed projects both in Great Neck and all over the world.

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