History of Crown Heights: The Hidden Gem of 1355 President Street

1355 President Street carries a rich history tied to several notable figures and events. This beautiful house, often overlooked by passersby, boasts a legacy that intertwines class, philanthropy, and community involvement.

Solomon Leibowitz, born in 1869, was a prominent real estate dealer and philanthropist. Along with his wife, Fannie, Solomon played an integral role in the Jewish community, contributing to the establishment of significant institutions like the Brooklyn Jewish Center, Temple Petach Tikvah, the Brooklyn Hebrew Home and Hospital for the Aged, and the Sanitarium for Incurables. They raised five children: Selma, Ada, Harry, Roy, and Theodore.

Leibowitz purchased the lot in 1920 but continued to reside at his Eastern Parkway house until 1925. The reasons for this five-year gap are unclear, whether due to the extended construction period or a delayed move to President Street.

Solomon Leibowitz passed away on December 8, 1934, leaving behind a legacy of generosity and community service. His will underscored his philanthropic spirit, providing substantial bequests to his family and numerous charitable institutions. The estate, valued at over $250,000, established trust funds for his widow and children and included donations to various Jewish charities.

Following Solomon’s death, the house saw various prominent residents. At some point, Solomon’s son-in-law, Dr. Kovrn, resided there. In 1948, the house changed hands again. Frank Wolk lived there for a brief time followed by the Gur Aryeh institute (more research needed). Famously, Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress, lived in the house for several years and then, of course, the beloved Raskin family purchased it and currently resides there. 

Purchased by community icons Michal and Dania Raskin, who always had an open Shabbos table and welcomed many guests over the years. After the passing of Michal, “an unassuming pillar of kindness and hospitality”, at the ripe old age of 92 the beloved and effervescent Dania Raskin currently leads the family and continues to live in their home.

Despite the passage of time, the house at 1355 President Street remains an architectural gem, largely untouched since its construction.

Both the family that built it and the family that currently resides there exemplify kindness and community for them and the generations which come after them. As we uncover its past, we gain a deeper appreciation for the remarkable stories woven into the fabric of this beautiful Brooklyn residence.

Circa 1940 

The city deed records 

Leibowitz family previous home at 1241 Eastern Parkway

Consolidation of charities at the previous home of Solomon Leibowitz 1241 Eastern Parkway

Circa 1934 announcement of Solomon Leibowitz will

Announcements of Janice Koven granddaughter of Solomon Leibowitz engagement. 

Solomon Leibowitz’s children changed their last name from Leibowitz to Leibler (sounds just as jewish so vais ich nisht). 

In the 1960s the Gur Aryeh Institute for advanced Jewish scholarship owned the house for a brief time.

Shmully Blesofsky All Right Reserved.

(For reprint permission Sblesof@gmail.com)