H EADLINES
Congregation Mikveh Israel Plans to Expand
L OCA L
JARRAD SAFFREN | JE STAFF
CONGREGATION MIKVEH
Israel has a new event space,
a new assistant rabbi and a
long-term plan for member
expansion. On Sept. 6, the Philadelphia
synagogue announced the hiring
of Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian. He
will assist the temple’s senior
religious leader, Rabbi Albert
Gabbai, who has been in his
position for 33 years.

Zarnighian is Mikveh
Israel’s fi rst assistant rabbi in
40 years, according to Gabbai.

His hiring follows the
summer addition of an event
space for weddings and bar
mitzvahs. In response to
congregant demand, synagogue
leaders expanded the social
hall and building premises
between North Fift h and Sixth
streets. Now, members and
non-members alike can host
receptions in the half-indoor,
half-outdoor venue. Before,
congregants would host
services in the sanctuary, then
hold their parties in other city
locations, like a hotel ballroom.

Th ose who belong to the
synagogue will get discounted
rates when they use the new hall,
Gabbai said. And now, Mikveh
Israel will have a revenue-driver
open to outside parties.

Th e Old City synagogue
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JEWISH EXPONENT
The sanctuary inside
Congregation Mikveh Israel
Courtesy of Congregation Mikveh Israel
has about 200 families in its
congregation. In the middle of
the 20th century, it had around
500 member families.

A new social hall can help
the shul return to mid-20th
century numbers, Gabbai said.

And the hiring of Zarnighian
is an attempt to prepare for
said demand, he added.

“It’s the synagogue’s plan to
evolve and have more services
and, therefore, we need an
assistant rabbi,” Gabbai said.

Mikveh Israel opened in
1740 and is known as the city’s
oldest synagogue. It predates
both the American Revolution
and even Judaism’s break into
separate denominations.

According to member Jacob
Oslick, who led the search
committee to hire Zarnighian,
the temple has lasted so long
because it inspires intense loyalty.

Oslick grew up in the congre-
gation as both a city and then
suburban kid. Aft er leaving for
a time, he decided to return
even though he was — and still
is — working in New York City
as an attorney. Oslick has been a
member again for 10 years. And
like his parents, he’s now raising
his two kids, daughter Serafi na,
6, and son Emanuel, 3, in the
congregation. Five years ago, the Oslicks
moved to New Brunswick,
New Jersey, to split the travel
See Expand, Page 20
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