Haven’t you heard about the Congregation of Georgian Jews? It stands as a testament to faith and community in Forest Hills Queens. This Orthodox Jewish synagogue is located at 6304 Yellowstone Boulevard. It serves as a spiritual beacon for Georgian Jews in New York City.
The Congregation of Georgian Jews is more than just a place of worship. It is a cultural hub. Most members are immigrants who arrived in the late twentieth century from the Republic of Georgia. Tamir Sapir a Georgian Jewish philanthropist made the synagogue building possible with his generous donation.
The synagogue plays a vital role. It helps Georgian Jews maintain their traditions. It also fosters a strong sense of belonging in a new land. The Congregation of Georgian Jews even acted as a de facto Georgian cultural center.
The synagogue’s importance extends beyond religious services. It has hosted significant events. For example the Republic of Georgia held a postage stamp unveiling ceremony there. The stamp honored Rabbi Abraam Khvoles a prominent figure from the nineteenth century. Revaz Adamia Georgia’s representative to the United Nations led the ceremony.
During the tense days of the August 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner organized an emergency meeting at the synagogue. It was a gathering place for the Christian and Jewish Georgian community living in New York. The Congregation of Georgian Jews offered solace and a platform for discussing the crisis. The synagogue is the only large monumental structure built by Georgians in New York City.
As of 2013 Avraham Ashville served as the Senior Rabbi. Aharon Chein was the Rabbi and youth director.
The Georgian Jewish community has deep roots. Legend says they stretch back to the Babylonian captivity in the 6th century BCE. Rabbi Ashville once proudly declared that his community had spent 26 centuries in Georgia since the destruction of the First Temple. This reflects the strong connection Georgian Jews feel to their homeland.
This sense of rootedness sets them apart. They are different from other Jewish communities from the former Soviet Union. They often maintain a stronger connection to their traditions. They also have closer ties to other Central Asian Jewish communities such as the Bukharan Jews.
You can find a mikvah at the Congregation of Georgian Jews. Contact Rabbi Ashville to schedule an appointment.
The Congregation of Georgian Jews remains a vital center. It preserves Georgian Jewish heritage. It provides a welcoming space for community members to connect celebrate and support each other. It stands as a symbol of resilience faith and cultural pride in the heart of Queens.