Iconic Williamsburg: 500 Bedford Avenue

YS GOLD 

The address of 500 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg is well known to our readers as a center for Torah and avodah— a place where Williamsburg Yidden gather for learning and davening and elevation in avodas Hashem for many long hours in the day. 

This edifice—which once served as the residence of the Divrei Yoel of Satmar— has a long history. It was built by State Senator Moses May—an important figure in Brooklyn philanthropic circles—who also built the Skverer Rebbe’s home at 571 Bedford Avenue. 

Rosh Hashanah of 1947, the Satmar Rebbe came to America, and at first stayed with Reb Mordechai Fleischman. He then spent some time in the Nitra settlement in Summerville, then under the leadership of Rav Michoel Ber Weissmandel. 

On 18 Sivan of 1947, the Rebbe moved into this well-appointed building at 500 Bedford. There, he spent his days immersed in holiness, in Torah and tefillah. It was there that he conducted his fiery davening and fervent tischen and Shalosh Seudos Torah. And it was there that he rebuilt broken souls into an incredible force of rebuilding from the ashes… into what the Satmar empire is today. 

The Rebbe resided on the upper floor, while the beis medrash was situated on the ground floor. Above the Rebbe, on the third floor, lived three important and devoted Satmar Chassidim.

In recent years the city took over the entire surrounding area, but askonim invested much toil in preserving this important building—ensuring that it would remain a center for Torah and tefillah and avodas Hashem. 

Over the years, the building began to deteriorate, and it stood in danger of condemnation. One Satmar philanthropist threw himself into the work of preserving the building—ensuring that it would be structurally sound, while remaining in the same design and layout as it had been during the lifetime of the Rebbe. 

He also provided the building with multiple artifacts from the rebbe’s lifetime, items that the Rebbe used in Williamsburg, Belle Harbor, Miami, and Kiryas Yoel. These included a table and bookcases, and other historical items. 

Thus, the legendary 500 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg continues to serve as a center of holiness that continues to inspire Satmar chassidim from the entire neighborhood toward a life of closeness to Hashem.