Records of the Queens Jewish Center (Queens Village, NY)

The Queens Jewish Center was created in Queens, New York, on July 14, 1925. According to the original eight founders, the neighborhoods surrounding Queens Village were in dire need of a Conservative house of worship. The closest congregation was located in Jamaica, Queens, which was too far of a distance for walking on Shabbat and High Holy Days. Therefore, the Queens Jewish Center was developed by its founders to serve Jewish families of the following neighborhoods of Queens, New York: Hollis, Bellaire, Bellerose, and Queens Village. One month later, on August 24, 1925, the founders held a community-wide meeting informing Jewish individuals about the incorporation of the Queens Jewish Center along with future plans about the Shabbat and High Holy Day services.

The original organizers of the Queens Jewish Center ran a storefront synagogue but soon realized that there needed to be a congregation owned building with rooms for a sanctuary and classes. In the 1920s, land in Queens was inexpensive and available due to the Works Project Administration, one of the "Depression Era" projects developed by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Thus, the Queens Jewish Center was able to acquire land on the corner of Hollis Court Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue in 1925. Over the next five years, as the congregation struggled to raise funds for the construction of the building, the Queens Jewish Center moved between four separate locations throughout Queens Village and Jamaica. With donations from the Jewish Welfare Board and a loan from the Bank of Manhattan Company, on May 11, 1930, the cornerstone was laid for the synagogue building. One year later, on May 8, 1931, the Queens Jewish Center held a three-day event celebrating the opening of the building. The festivities were widely covered in area newspapers, including the Queens Review and the Long Island Daily Press. In 1946, the land next door to the congregation was purchased for the creation of a parish home for the presiding rabbi of the congregation. For over 70 years, the Queens Jewish Center remained at 94-34 Hollis Court Boulevard until the congregation's closing in 2002.

The Queens Jewish Center considered itself not only a religious institution, but also a "Kehilah"- a community. Seeking to fulfill all the needs of its members, the Queens Jewish Center sought to provide its members with three aims: Beth Hatefilah - A House of Prayer and Worship offering daily Minyon, Shabbat, Friday evening services, Shabbat, Saturday morning services, and Festival and High Holy Day services; Beth Hamidrash - A House of Study and Learning offering cultural and educational programs such as Child and Youth Education comprising Sunday and Hebrew School as well as Adult Educational classes; and, Beth Hakneses - A House of Assembly offering social organizations such as Sisterhood, Men's Club, Hadassah, and Youth Programs.¹ As evidenced by its active membership and participation in Beth Hatefilah, Beth Hamidrash, and Beth Hakneses, the Queens Jewish Center "serve[d] every segment of the community…through its over-all programming to making Jewish life, meaningful, dignified and joyful."²

From its inception, the Queens Jewish Center provided Jewish education and cultural groups for its youth members. In the fall of 1925, a young rabbi, Mr. Weissfell, was engaged to teach the newly formed Hebrew School. In the 1930s, the congregation formed the Boy Scout Troop, Girl Scout Troop, "Jordan Club" for post Bar Mitzvah boys, "Alizos Club" for teenage girls, and Young Peoples League for members in their late teens. Concomitantly, adults were active members and participants in a variety of community groups and organizations. In the inaugural year, 1925, the Ladies Auxiliary was founded with an annual membership of $1.00. By 1940, the Ladies Auxiliary was renamed "Sisterhood" and became affiliated with the National Women's League of the United Synagogue of America (now known as the Women's League for Conservative Judaism). The original men's club, Ray-Ouss (friendship) began in 1935 although it was later reorganized and renamed "Men's Club" in 1953.

The congregation was affiliated with various Conservative organizations, including: B'nai B'rith, Hadassah, Jewish Theological Seminary, United Jewish Appeal and the United Synagogue of America. The Queens Jewish Center was also active in supporting the Zionist movement, including Israel Bond Drives. In 1948, the Queens Jewish Center along with other Conservative Synagogues in Queens celebrated the creation of the State of Israel.

Membership reached a height in the late 1950s. During this decade, the Jewish community in Queens Village consisted of doctors, dentists, shopkeepers, lawyers, accountants, builders and contractors. Unable to provide seating for members during Friday night Shabbat services, in 1958 the center underwent renovations to expand the sanctuary and construct a catering hall, an office for the rabbi, an office for the clergy, a bride's room, a board room, a library, and four classrooms.

Throughout its existence, the Queens Jewish Center suffered from a high turnover of rabbinical staff. During the Great Depression and during the war years, this was primarily due to lack of funds. However, overtime, the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees along with congregants were dissatisfied with their selections. Replacements were difficult to find and secure. However, in September 1959, Rabbi Jacob Wendroff joined the Queens Jewish Center and served as spiritual leader for 32 years. As the rabbi for this congregation, Wendroff oversaw the 1969 merger and consolidation of Beth Israel Jewish Center with the Queens Jewish Center. Wendroff was successful; he achieved fundraising goals, developed an Adult Hebrew Group, and conducted a course entitled "Ethics of the Fathers" which met at his home. In addition, Wendroff implemented the congregation's "Annual Weekend" getaways at various New York State resorts and campgrounds. After his death, in 1991, the center retained Dr. Chaim Etrog, who acted as the rabbi from 1991 through 1998. Following his departure, the center once again had difficulty finding suitable rabbinical replacements.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the Queens Jewish Center suffered from dwindling membership. Rabbi Etrog, along with Board Members, Sisterhood, and Men's Club, actively solicited new members as well as pleaded for current members to attend services and programs. The Queens Jewish Center was affected by a change in the neighborhood demographics. Originally a predominately Jewish neighborhood, during this time, many Jewish family and businesses left the area.³In addition, many of the original members and families passed away. With limited finances and members, by 2000, the Queens Jewish Center began to transfer their records to the American Jewish Historical Society. And, after 77 years of existence, in 2002, the Queens Jewish Center closed.