Upper East Side, New York City, September 13, 2025
News Summary
The Moise Safra Community Center is set to open on the Upper East Side, providing a vital space for the growing Sephardic Jewish community. This 14-story facility will offer diverse services including synagogues, kosher cafes, fitness and wellness areas, and various cultural programs. With a focus on Orthodox Jews of Syrian ancestry, the center aims to foster collaboration among different Jewish community groups as the local population grows.
New Moise Safra Community Center Set to Open on Upper East Side, Catering to Growing Sephardic Jewish Community
New York City is set to welcome the Moise Safra Community Center, a significant new facility targeting the expanding Sephardic Jewish community. This 14-story, $65 million building, located on East 82nd Street between Lexington and Park Avenues, is nearing completion and is scheduled to open its doors this fall.
The Moise Safra Community Center is being designed as a premier hub for a range of activities including social, spiritual, educational, recreational, cultural, and culinary programs. It will cater primarily to Orthodox Jews with roots in Syria, and cover approximately 73,000 square feet. The center will feature two synagogues, three kosher cafes, and numerous amenities such as a swimming pool, fitness center, wellness center, library, and two outdoor terraces.
This facility is characterized as a vertical campus, offering an array of spaces designed to serve various community needs. These include study rooms, lecture rooms, prayer rooms, ballrooms, a dining lounge, bike storage, art classrooms, and dance and yoga studios. The establishment of this center marks a significant change in the urban landscape, replacing three adjoining townhouses.
Community leaders have expressed enthusiasm for the center, highlighting its role as a collaborative space that could facilitate programs uniting both Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews. The development comes amidst a noticeable increase in the population of Jews migrating to this part of Manhattan, notably those with Middle Eastern, North African, or Mediterranean ties.
Rebecca Harary, who is the founding executive director of the center and a former City Council candidate, emphasizes the community’s commitment to investing in the Upper East Side. This dedication is exemplified through the emergence and growth of the Manhattan Sephardic Congregation, which is touted as the first full-time Sephardic synagogue in the Upper East Side. This local congregation is witnessing rising demand, underscoring the area’s shifting demographic landscape.
The opening of the Moise Safra Community Center aligns with a broader trend of a growing Jewish population establishing their roots in neighborhoods ranging from the East 60s to the low 90s. As development in the area continues, the center stands as a testament to the aspirations and needs of the evolving community.
Key Features of the Moise Safra Community Center
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Building Type | 14-story vertical campus |
| Total Cost | $65 million |
| Square Footage | 73,000 square feet |
| Synagogues | Two |
| Kosher Cafes | Three |
| Amenities | Swimming pool, fitness center, wellness center, library, two outdoor terraces |
| Additional Spaces | Study rooms, lecture rooms, prayer rooms, ballrooms, dining lounge, bike storage, art classrooms, dance and yoga studios |
| Location | East 82nd Street, between Lexington and Park Avenues |
FAQs
What is the Moise Safra Community Center?
The Moise Safra Community Center is a new facility set to open on the Upper East Side of New York City, designed to cater primarily to the Sephardic Jewish community with various amenities for social, educational, and cultural activities.
When will the center open?
The center is scheduled to open this fall.
What facilities will the center offer?
The center will include two synagogues, three kosher cafes, a swimming pool, fitness center, wellness center, library, and outdoor terraces, among other spaces for community activities.
Who is the target audience for the center?
The primary audience for the Moise Safra Community Center is Orthodox Jews of Syrian ancestry, though it aims to foster collaboration with broader Jewish community groups.
Why is the center significant?
The center is significant due to the increasing Sephardic population in the Upper East Side and the importance of having a dedicated space for communal activities and programs.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Chelsea News: Sephardic Community Boom
- Wikipedia: Sephardic Jews
- WTVQ: Fitness for Women
- Google Search: Jewish Community New York
- US Holocaust Memorial Museum: What is the Holocaust?
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Judaism
- Jewish Telegraphic Agency: News
- Google News: Sephardic Jewish Community
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