A rare and historic piece of Rockland County’s Jewish heritage has officially hit the real estate market. Congregation Beth Jacob, also known as Congregation Sons of Jacob and widely regarded as the Village of Haverstraw’s oldest shul, is now for sale at 37 Clove Avenue in Haverstraw.
The property is being marketed by Mordechai “Mort” Becker of R2M Realty, marking a significant moment for a congregation whose roots stretch back more than a century.
The congregation traces its origins to the late 1800s, when Jewish families began establishing a formal communal presence in Haverstraw. The shul at 37 Clove Avenue was dedicated on September 3, 1899, and became a spiritual anchor for generations of local residents, playing a central role in the early Jewish life of the village.
The shul’s history is intertwined with one of Rockland County’s most tragic events, the Haverstraw Landslide of January 8, 1906, which claimed 19 lives. Among those who perished was the congregation’s rabbi, Rabbi Elimelech Adlin Edlin, who is remembered for attempting to rescue others before losing his own life. The tragedy remains a solemn chapter in both the village’s history and the congregation’s legacy.
In 1966, the original shul building was destroyed by fire. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, the congregation rebuilt and dedicated a new structure in 1968, continuing to serve the community for decades with tefillos, simchos, and communal gatherings.
Like many houses of worship across the country, the shul faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Operations ultimately ceased during that period, bringing to a close more than a century of continuous Jewish communal life at the site.
Now officially listed for sale, the property represents both the end of a historic era and the beginning of a new chapter for the prominent Clove Avenue location. For longtime residents and those connected to Rockland’s Jewish history, the sale of Congregation Beth Jacob marks a deeply meaningful moment and a reminder of the generations who davened within its walls and the enduring legacy they leave behind.
