ABOUT
THE Romanisher shul
Welcome to the Roumanisher shul; open since 1885.
Established by Roumanian immigrants, the Roumanisher shul quickly gained a reputation as one of New York’s leading congregations. The main sanctuary was able to comfortably seat more than a thousand people on Shabbos and Yom Tov; a smaller space was located on the lower floor of the shul that was used for daily minyanim.
One of the highlights of the Roumanisher shul was the davening on Yomim Noraim, the High Holy Days. On those days the shul would be filled to capacity, as the world’s most famous chazzanim would lead the davening in front of a packed crowd. The shul earned the title of being called the “Cantor's Carnegie Hall,” due to its knack of getting the most sought after chazzanim, including Yossele Rosenblatt and Moshe Koussevitzky.
After the shul’s roof collapsed in 2006, many predicted its demise. But the shul
administration and its congregants were determined to continue on. Today, having relocated to the Poilisher Shtiebel on East Broadway, the shul is going strong; keeping up a proud legacy of Torah, Tefillah, and serving the community.
Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Spiegel
Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Spiegel was born into a distinguished Rabbinic dynasty. Along with his twin brother he was the first of his family to be raised in the United States. Although he grew up in a new world, a far cry from the shtetl of yore, Rabbi Spiegel not only continued his family's dynasty, he created his own legacy of leadership and greatness.
A close talmid of Reb Ahron Kotler and a musmach of Reb Moshe Feinstein, Rabbi Spiegel served as Rav of the Romanisher shul for approximately two decades. During his time at the helm of the Romanisher shul, Rabbi Spiegel helped revitalize what was at the time a weakening congregation, and establish the shul as a place that any Jew – no matter their background – would feel comfortable attending. More than that, however, he was known for his tremendous heart filled with chessed and ahavas yisroel, providing a helping hand to anyone in need.
You can read more about Rabbi Spiegel’s life in his biography, The Rabbi from the Lower East Side.
