The Miracle of Intervale Avenue: The Story of a Jewish Congregation in the South Bronx

by Jack Kugelmass

Located in the ravaged urban landscape of th South Bronx, the Intervale Jewish Center is the last synagogue still in regular use in a rapidly changing neighborhood. This unique congregation represents the struggle of individuals to maintain their dignity, independence, and faith over the years.

In The Miracle of Intervale Avenue , Jack Kugelmass tells the inspiring story of a community that continues to see the area as its own, as a place they steadfastly refuse to abandon despite a major shift in the ethnic demography of the South Bronx and an increase in violent crime.

A classic ethnography of American Jewish life, The MIracle of Intervale Avenue has now been brought up to date. In a new closing chapter and epilogue, Kugelmass shows how the congregation has adapted to the radical changes in the neighborhood, bringing closure to this poignant work. Now with 38 photographs of the community over the years, the book covers the slow econmic resurgence of the South Bronx and discusses the revitalizing effect of the congregation's new members, including blacks and Latinos.

Genres: Judaism, Nonfiction

277 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 1986

Reviews

[Michael Lewyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little book about a tiny synagogue in what was then one of New York's worst neighborhoods, and about the adventures of its congregants. If there is any broader point in the book, it is how these men and women chose to add meaning to their lives in the face of aging. The author seems to think that many of these men and women could have lived in better neighborhoods near their children and grandchildren. So why did they choose to stay in the South Bronx? Partially for social reasons, of course- but for deeper reasons as well. First, because living in a dangerous environment was itself an act of defying death. Second, because preserving their independence (even leaving aside their neighborhood's problems) was itself a way of remaining alive. And third, because even if they could have lived in a better neighborhood, they preferred to have an impact on their descendants' lives by saving enough to give them an inheritance, rather than moving to more expensive areas and choosing to die broke. (P.S.- I recently visited the address of the synagogue; although the neighborhood seems less troubled than in the 1980s, the synagogue itself has been torn down and replaced with a small parking lot).

[FL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many white Americans have relatives who participated in white flight to the suburbs. But as they move back into cities, it's clear that the city changed in the meanwhile.

This book covers a good amount of that "meanwhile," focusing on a congregation consisting largely of elderly Jewish holdouts in the Bronx, as well as an assortment of newcomers. The ethnography covers a delightful array of congregants and illuminates the various challenges that the synagogue faced, without resorting to especially many stereotype cliches, except as espoused by congregants.

For my taste, though, there was a bit too much free narration from the congregants, and not enough about the broader situation of the synagogue. I'm sure there's other ethnographic literature out there on the South Bronx and on American Jewish communities, and it wasn't always clear what---beyond a reader's common sense and preconceptions---made this book's shul special.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kugelmass writes a wonderfully insightful ethnographic piece about survivors in a harsh land. The story he sets up is a beautiful tale centered around the loveable Moishe Sacks, the Moses of the Bronx.

He writes about a people's struggle with adversity, facing off against crime, poverty, and a changing landscape well out of their control. The book ends cautiously optimistic, asserting Sacks' belief that perhaps the shul will persist which makes it all the more tragic knowing how things are today.

I cannot recommend this book enough if not just for Sacks' personality and all you will learn through this little bits of theological wisdom and sense of humor brought on by his old age. Kugelmass' writing is thoughtful and insightful in ways that many ethnographers dream to be.

Read this, you might just end up believing in miracles!

[Ben Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Miracle of Intervale Avenue" by Jack Kugelmass is an enlightening look into a lost world of Jewish civilization, the South Bronx. Some chapters felt a little slow, however given that I'm only starting to read again after I spent roughly two months without picking up a book, that would make some sense. I have trouble reading in environments that are not completely silent, but this book was amazing to read on the train.

To learn more about former shuls such as Intervale Jewish Center, I highly recommend going to the site http://www.bronxsynagogues.org/. It is an amazing place to learn. In all, I wouldn't mind living in the Bronx, I think it still has some nice Jewish communities that are friendly and welcoming.