בס״ד

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 OUR FORMATIVE YEARS

The Queens Jewish Center originated as a product of three combined groups which formed spontaneously and simultaneously in Forest Hills and Rego Park with the intention of establishing a Center for Torah-true worship and education.

One of these groups had sought to form a branch of the National Young Israel movement; another foresighted element realized the need for a Talmud Torah; a third, consisting of young folks of the Yellowstone Jewish Center, were planning to have a Center with activities in harmony with their religious upbringing.

It was the last group which, through Rabbi Eliezer Harbater’s ע״ה efforts, first succeeded in persuading one of a strangely reluctant list of real estate men to rent them quarters in a small store at 99-06 66^th Avenue with 15ft. frontage. However, when a deposit had been paid and while ink was still wet on the lease, the young men of this group were called to War. Mr. Julius S. Brauman ע״ה and Rabbi Harbatar ע״ה  called the other groups together to discuss the situation. This meeting on the stormy night of January 12, 1943 was held in the Trylon Real Estate office and resulted in the decision to assume the lease already made and to open the Center without further delay.

The Queens Jewish Center at 99-06 66th Avenue

The treasury was started with dues and loans from among the 8 original members and the modest sum then on hand was of necessity applied to rent; other needs had to be supplied from other sources. A Sefer Torah was loaned to us by the Young Israel of University Heights; a supply of Siddurim was donated by Mr. Simon in memory of his father; Mr. Brauman obtained donations of lumber and other construction materials and Mr. Harry Baetich fashioned them into an altar and benches (later on a Succah as well). A permanent Ark was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Thaw, and it was a memorable day when a few Bibles were purchased and our first oak chairs negotiated (with borrowed money).

No sooner was the Center thus begun when several additional valued members joined us, including Messrs. Charles Bick, Max Deutsch, and Irving S. Cohen, whose talents and scholarship were gratuitously offered and thankfully utilized in the capacities of Cantor and Reader. The Center was soon incorporated and the Talmud Torah which had been started by Rabbi Harbater was taken over by the Center. Mr. Julius Brauman ע״ה was elected as its first president.

The congregation grew from week to week and from Yom Tov to Yom Tov. A Ladies’ Group was formed, under the leadership of Mrs. Lillian C. G. Hymen ע״ה , primarily to assist the Talmud Torah financially. Meanwhile, the Center took additional space, and combined two small stores at 99-07 and 99-09 66^th Avenue.

The High Holidays Services attracted a large congregation and, incidentally, increased our small treasury. It was in connection with these services that we first came to appreciate Mr. Emanuel Greenwald, quiet and retiring but generous with his timely help and the donor of our first Sefer Torah; Mr. Charles Rubman, a constant source of encouragement in our work and the source of much practical wisdom; and particularly Mr. and Mrs. Max Hertz whose many generosities began with a beautiful set of White Paroches, and a Michseh in honor of their three soldier sons.

A periodical, entitled “The Shofar,” was started under the leadership of Mr. Sidney Simon, currently known as the “QJC Bulletin”, to keep members and the community at large posted on our activities.

An elaborate Siyum Hatorah was held when Mr. and Mrs. Greenwald presented the Center with its first Sefer Torah on April 2, 1944. The guest speaker was Rabbi Herbert S. Goldstein, honorary president of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America with which the Queens Jewish Center became affiliated.

During 1944, plans were made to start a Building Fund and in this connection the first Memorial Tablet was erected to perpetuate the names of deceased in appreciation for the contributions of their relatives.

As spiritual leader, our first Rabbi, Rabbi Harbater was succeeded by Rabbi Aryeh Gotlieb in 1946. A personable and insiring teacher, Rabbi Gotlieb carried on the work of the Center with great energy and devotion between 1946 and 1948.

Rabbi Morris Max was installed as our spiritual leader in 1949 and first led us in prayers ushering in the year 5710. His exemplary religious viewpoint, his sincerity, his humility and high-minded spiritual leadership, attracted more and more men and women of the neighborhood to the elevating influence of Torah-true Jewish life for which our Center stands.

As year followed year, out Talmud Torah grew despite its uninviting quarters, adult study programs In Chumash and Rashi, Mishnayos, Oirkei Avos amd Talmud were held. Social functions in connection with the various holidays simulated the interest of the community, and the Center found more and more people—both men and women—ready, able and willing to give freely of their time, talents and treasure for the benefit of the first Orthodox Center in the Forest Hills area.

On October 3, 1946 an option was taken on the vacant plot where our beautiful Synagogue buildings now stand. The Building Committee at the time consisted of Messrs. Julius Brauman, Fred Giffler, Charles Rubman, Jacob Block, Emanuel Greenwald, Charles Finkelstein, Max Hertz, Herman A. Levine, and Irving S. Cohen. A contract for purchase of the site comprising an area of 100 x 140 feet, was signed on January 23, 1947 by Mr. Brauman and Mr. David Pomerantz. Ground was first broken for our present building during an elaborate ceremony on June 5, 1949, by Judge Paul Balsam and President Herman A. Levine.

1953 - Ground is broken for Main Synagogue & Social Hall

A new chapter in the history of the Center opened with the election of Dr. Bernard Lander in 1950. Following a memorable Installation at which the guest speaker was Rabbi Joseph Lookstein, his administration dedicated itself with a new and intensified spirit to the realization of a Center building and it was during his term that a Building Committee, headed by Morris Lifschitz, succeeded in erecting the first unit—our Talmud Torah building, one of whose floors immediately became available as a temporary synagogue, seating 300 worshippers.

The cornerstone, brought from Israel and presented by Mr. and Mrs. Sol Furst, respectively our Honorary President and President and President of the Sisterhood, was laid on December 9, 1951 in the presence of Borough President Lundy. The Talmud Torah building was dedicated on June 15, 1952 when we honored to have with us as guest speaker Rabbi Dr. Samuel Belkin, President of Yeshiva University.

When Mr. I. J. Furst succeeded Dr. Lander, a new drive was begun to complete the Center with the erection of the second unit, the Synagogue, and ground was broken by our good friend and generous benefactor, Mr. Harry Lefrak, on June 21, 1953.

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We pray and trust that with G-d’s help our Center may continue to spread its influence in revitalizing a Torah-true atmosphere in the surrounding community by means of its educational, social, civic and religious program for our youth as well as for their elders

MORE TO COME...