Our History

Havurat Yisrael, one of the leading synagogues in Queens for the
last 20 years, has embarked upon a new educational and
community project
designed to make Judaism available to everyone: the Center for
Jewish Life. Propelled by a dynamic and innovative leadership
and membership,
Havurat Yisrael has been at the forefront of reaching out to Jews
of all backgrounds. Now, Havurat Yisrael in cooperation with the
Queens
community is creating a new home that transcends the
traditionalnotion of a community synagogue and undertakes the
bold challenge of becoming a dynamic center of Torah Judaism
and Jewish Culture.

Embracing its position in the midst of one of the most diverse
Jewish Communities in the world, the Center for Jewish Life will act
as a bridge among people of different cultural backgrounds and
ideologies and as a resource center for all Jews in a spirit of unity
and discovery. The result will
be a friendly environment of learning, community, and worship.

The Center will expand on the existing partnerships with other
Jewish organizations and projects and will serve as a base for
creative programs aimed at reaching out to Jews at various levels
of commitment. The new facility will be equipped with high tech
interactive media that will support the
development of innovative programs and enhance
communications among distant Jewish communities throughout
the world.

Building Update

Despite the cold weather and the snow, despite finding several oil
tanks buried underground that had to be removed, the foundation
is almost
complete. Sometime later this month the steel will start coming up,
G-d willing, to be followed by bricks and concrete.

We had an important meeting recently setting the course for the
coming months. What is needed now is a commitment from
everyone in our community to see this project through to
completion. If each of us is invested in building this home, the
fundraising, financing, and cash flow will be there.

This has to be our priority for the next 6-8 months - to dedicate a
little time each week, in our phone calls, in our homes, with our
friends and families,
in our workplaces, in our social events, and in our prayers, to
build a home for torah and ahavat Yisrael. Be a part of it!

For information about opportunities to participate in this unique
opportunity of building a synagogue, contact Rabbi David Algaze
at Havurat Yisrael,
108-11 69th Road,Forest Hills, NY 11375, Phone: (718)
261-5500, Email: Havurat@yahoo.com or Dr. David Sosnowik,
Chairman Fund-Raising Committee at DSosnowikmd@verizon.net
Our History