About Us

Shaare Ezra, fondly known as the Cedar Avenue Shul, is a vibrant and welcoming Orthodox synagogue serving the Long Branch, NJ Syrian and Sephardic community.

Our story began humbly, when a small group of dedicated families gathered for prayer at the Harbour Island Spa. Founded by community leaders Leo Esses and Sam Catton, the minyan soon began rotating between members’ homes, including the residence of Isaac Gindi, where our kehilla (community) continued to grow.

In 1986, with the generosity and vision of our members, we purchased our permanent home on Cedar Avenue. Over the years, we expanded our facilities—adding a Beit Midrash and undergoing multiple renovations to meet the needs of our flourishing congregation. Leaders like Morris Missry and many others have been instrumental in these improvements, with our most recent renovation completed in 2024.

From our early days with just 30–40 families, Shaare Ezra has grown into a thriving community of over 120 families. We are proud to be a center for tefillah (prayer), Torah learning, and communal connection, carrying forward the values and warmth that have been with us since the very beginning.