The synagogue’s architecture blends perfectly with the stately homes surrounding it.

In an abundantly forested neighborhood in Englewood, New Jersey you can easily miss East Hill synagogue because it blends perfectly with the stately turn-of-the-century homes surrounding it. The congregation originally began as an inclement weather minyan for members of Congregation Ahavath Torah who lived on the other side of Englewood’s Palisade Avenue.

Dr. Ronald Strobel, the shul’s first president said “We met a few times a year in people’s homes. Ahavath Torah supported us and gave us Chumashim and a Sefer Torah. The minyan became more regular and we rented a house.” After continued growth the congregation purchased its current premises from Yeshiva Ohr HaTalmud in 1998.

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, whom The Washington Post calls the most famous Rabbi in America, said “Englewood has an unfortunate history of making life difficult for Houses of Worship receiving proper zoning. The highly successful East Hill Synagogue, for example, had to sue the city in Federal court just to be built. It then had to sue again for the ability to put up and use outdoor tents for Jewish celebrations like Bar Mitzvahs.”