Congregation Kehilath Jacob
"The Carlebach Shul"

Congregation Kehilath Jacob, known as the Carlebach Shul, is an established landmark of Manhattan's West Side. It is certainly one of the most unique synagogues in New York City, possibly in the world.

From the founding of the synagogue in the 1940's, the Shul has been in the same location, 305 West 79th Street. This unique building has become infused with over 50 years of loving prayers and Torah learning.

Rabbi Naphtali Carlebach was a leading Rabbi of Berlin and later Baden, Austria who emigrated with his family as a result of Nazi tyranny. Rabbi Naphtali assumed the spiritual leadership of the Synagogue in the year 1950.

Rabbi Naphtali Carlebach

Rabbi Eli Chaim Carlebach

After Rabbi Naphtali died in 1967, one of his twin sons, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, succeeded him . Rabbi Shlomo maintained the spiritual leadership of the congregation while traveling world-wide to share his joy, music and teachings. In the early 1980's his brother, Rabbi Eli Chaim joined him. This partnership in the spiritual leadership of the shul enabled the pulpit to always be graced by one of them, until the death of Rabbi Eli Chaim Carlebach in 1990 and Rabbi Shlomo's death in 1994. At that time, Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Intrator, Rabbi Shlomo's assistant led the Shul until 2000.