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KEW GARDENS, NY [CHI] — It was a short 16 months ago that the news broke of the dwindling Anshe Sholom Congregation of Kew Gardens, NY partnering with Chabad of the Gardens to try to work on building up the center once again. Today, we are proud to announce the official vote of the Board of trustees and the membership to ultimately change their center to a Chabad house - for good, by accepting the official name Anshe Sholom Chabad Jewish Community Center.

Chabad Rabbi For Life, at Queens Congregation!

KEW GARDENS, NY [CHI] — It was a short 16 months ago that the news broke of the dwindling Anshe Sholom Congregation of Kew Gardens, NY partnering with Chabad of the Gardens to try to work on building up the center once again. Today, we are proud to announce the official vote of the Board of trustees and the membership to ultimately change their center to a Chabad house – for good, by accepting the official name Anshe Sholom Chabad Jewish Community Center.

Included in the terms of the New constitution, the shliach, Rabbi Mordechai Z. Hecht will have tenure as Rabbi of the congregation, which means Rabbi for life! Additionally he will hold the position of Executive Director of the Congregation until the next set of elections – in 18 years. Alongside the Rabbi, Exec. Dir. the board will consist of Rebbetzin Sara Hecht, Co-Director and 5 additional members of the Board of Trustees chosen by the Rabbi and acepted by the members who are loyal to the view, will power and vision of Chabad Outreach.

“This is a monumental stride in the best direction for the center – quite simply Chabad Works, it’s that simple” said Jerry Gaeta- President. Over the months since the inception of the limited partnership the membership has grown by 30 percent and the overall attendance has grown by more than 300%. Ten’s of thousands of dollars were invested in the building itself and in to the platform for future growth.

Anshe Sholom Chabad JCC housed in the most extraordinary 15,000sq ft. facility will continue to host a full time shul, simcha hall, the ever expanding Gutnick Jewish Public Library, Chabad Hebrew Academy of the Arts, Winter camp and Machne Yisrael Day Camp and many more Teen and adult education programs in the making.

This arrangement could not have been made possible without the understanding, patience, devotion and love of the entire associated community, the President and all the board members and membership. As well as the legal and financial assistance of the NCFJE and their Board of Directors who’s invaluable patients and expertise proved to be most productive. Today, we give thanks to the Rebbe, our guiding light and soul-source of inspiration for enabling us to make him proud and do the work we were meant to do on our shlichus.

“The irony of all this is, my wife Sarah and I wondered upon on our return to Queens, my hometown, 3 years ago,”can we really make big strides in such a metropolitan city as NY – where judaism is so established“?! And here we are, ” it is with such a sence of humilty that we close this day and open open a whole new chapter in life”.

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8 Comments

  • Fellow NY Shluchim

    Mazal Tov! As fellow NY Shluchim we are so so happy that such a dream has worked out for you…may it be followed by the other Shluchim too and may you have much Hatzlacha in every aspect of your Shlichus!

  • Leora Gueron

    Aha ! I knew that somewhere in my search in the Chabad web site that I would find Rabbi Mordy Hecht & Rebbetzin Suri Hecht! Hey, let’s not forget Liba Hadassah ! Mazal Tov to the Rabbi and his family for having such a wonderful impact in Kew Gardens. Having grown up in Anshe Sholom Jewish Center, I can tell you that this Shul has made wonderful strides by the Rabbi, his family and the congregation who held it together especailly at a time when we all thought it just would not last. Here we are today celebrating a New Year together. Shana Tova to all. Now you have 2 fmilies Rabbi ! Yours and Chabad of Kew Gardens !Now it’s one big happy family! Keep up the good work !
    Best Regards, Leora Gueron