(JEWISH VOICE NEWS) Ben Zion Suky is a man who knows how to recognize opportunities. He often describes his life as “a series of opportunities” from arriving alone in the U.S. at 15, to gaining early business experience in his family’s stores, to building a leading presence in New York real estate.

Born in Israel, Suky first visited his family in Brooklyn at the age of 13. He was immediately captivated by the city, busier and more expansive than anything he had seen at home. He vowed to return one day and make it his home.

At 16, he flew to New York again for the summer and, recognizing the opportunity before him, decided to stay.

Today, Suky is a prominent developer and investor based in New York, as well as an active philanthropist supporting Jewish organizations in both the U.S. and Israel. He views philanthropy as intertwined with his professional success and a reflection of shared responsibility among Jewish communities.

Getting a Foot in the New York Real Estate Door

When Ben Suky settled in New York, he began helping with his relatives’ business. Within a year, he was managing day-to-day operations across several stores.

When the family sold the business, Suky looked toward his next challenge: real estate. The world of Brooklyn properties and the Manhattan skyline had long fascinated him, and he saw his free time as a chance to explore it further.

He gradually found partners and investors and began acquiring apartments for rental. In 2009, he founded his own real estate and financing firm, Bensco LLC.

As founder and CEO, Suky has overseen the acquisition, development, and management of properties valued in the billions. He is known for navigating complex capital structures and has collaborated with firms such as Madison Realty Capital, Newmark, and JLL and CBRE

Suky’s Vision and Mission

With over two decades of experience, Ben Suky remains optimistic about New York’s real estate market, citing the city’s enduring demand for rental housing.

“Every year, tens of thousands of college graduates move to New York for education and career opportunities,” he says. “These people need places to live, which is why rental properties remain an attractive, long-term investment.”

Suky often seeks assets in distress, working with banks and investors to acquire and rehabilitate them. Once acquired, he implements strategic upgrades and renovations to make the properties competitive and sustainable.

For instance, a few years ago he identified a property of more than200 apartments on West 73rd Street that had fallen into disrepair. By collaborating with brokers and lenders, he purchased the building and led a full renovation of both its physical condition and financial structure.

Ben Suky attributes his company’s growth to three guiding principles:

Philanthropy as Responsibility and Privilege

Ben Zion Suky believes that success carries an obligation to give back. As an immigrant who achieved what he calls “the American dream,” he sees philanthropy not as charity, but as a form of shared responsibility.

He supports organizations that strengthen Jewish identity and community resilience, including the Israeli-American Council (IAC), BeLev Echad, which assists wounded Israeli soldiers, and Hatzalah, the volunteer emergency medical service.

“Opportunity has defined my life,” Suky notes. “I was given chances that changed everything for me and I feel a duty to help others find theirs.”