In the Heart of the Catskills, a Wooden Synagogue Sparks a Jewish Renaissance
Woodbourn Shul becomes a spiritual oasis, blending ancient traditions with warm hospitality and nonstop prayer
In the quiet woods of Upstate New York, something remarkable is happening: Judaism is being reimagined, not by changing its core, but by deepening its soul. At the center of this spiritual revival is the Woodbourn Shul, also known as Congregation B’nei Israel: a synagogue that’s not only preserving tradition but transforming the way thousands of Jews experience it.
Nestled in the Catskills and originally built in 1920 in the rare Carpenter Gothic architectural style, the Woodbourn Shul once served as a modest house of prayer. For years, it stood in decline, its wooden structure weathered and nearly forgotten. That changed dramatically in 2010, when Rabbi Mordechai Jungreis, a member of the Nikolsburg Hasidic dynasty, took over and breathed new life into the building and its purpose.
Now, during the height of summer, this small-town synagogue becomes a round-the-clock spiritual hub, drawing an estimated 80,000 visitors between June and August. And while it remains deeply rooted in halachic tradition, its appeal lies in a unique and inclusive approach: constant minyanim, free food and drink, and a warm message that greets every visitor.
At the entrance hangs a welcoming sign:
“Everyone is Welcome to the Woodbourn Shul Under the Leadership of Rabbi Mordechai Jungreis.”
More than words, it’s a mission. Walk through the doors and you’ll find steaming coffee, cold drinks, snacks, and even ice pops, all offered freely. The idea is simple yet profound: nourish the body, feed the soul.
“It’s not just about food,” says one community member. “It’s Woodbourn. It’s burning with the voice of the Torah. It’s burning with Ahavat Yisrael, with Torah and tefillah, from the morning until the morning. No matter how you look or who you are. Like my father says: it’s not our shul, it’s your shul.”
With services happening almost every few minutes and a continuous stream of Jewish travelers, yeshiva students, families, and spiritual seekers, the Woodbourn Shul has come to be seen by many as a kind of Jewish spiritual gas station: a place to refill one's inner tank, reconnect with God, and experience joy in Jewish observance.
The Shul’s philosophy revives the ancient concept of mazon (sustenance) not just as food, but as a spiritual lifeline. By fusing prayer with hospitality, and tradition with modern accessibility, Woodbourne is redefining what it means to be a house of worship.
It may be nestled deep in the forest, but the light emanating from this wooden synagogue reaches far and wide. The Woodbourn Shul isn’t just a place to pray: it's a beating heart of Jewish life, pulsing with warmth, song, and the enduring spirit of Klal Yisrael.
