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Congregation Etz Hayim at Hollis Hills Bayside

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Hollis Hills Jewish Center
Religion
AffiliationConservative Judaism
LeadershipRabbi David Wise,
Cantor Sol Zim.[1]
StatusActive
Location
LocationHollis Hills, New York
Architecture
TypeSynagogue
GroundbreakingMay 15, 1949[2]
Completed1949; 75 years ago (1949)[2]
Construction cost$40,000[2]
Website
www.hollishillsjc.org

Hollis Hills Jewish Center is a synagogue located in the neighborhood of Hollis Hills in Queens, New York. Hollis Hills Jewish Center is an egalitarian synagogue providing worship in the Conservative tradition. As of 2016, 240 families are members of the synagogue.[3]

History

Construction of the building was completed in 1949.[2]

Clergy and staff

Hollis Hills Jewish Center's first rabbi was Naphtali Z. Frishberg.[4] Rabbi Frishberg had formerly been a rabbi at Temple Beth El in Springfield, Massachusetts.[4] Rabbi Frishberg served until 1955, when he became the rabbi of Beth Emereth Synagogue in Larchmont, New York.[5]

Hollis Hills Jewish Center's first cantor was Sol J. Sanders.[6] Born in Poland, Sanders immigrated to the United States in 1921. Sanders served in the United States Army in the South Pacific during World War II, and he subsequently graduated from Hebrew Union College's School of Sacred Music in 1952.[6] Sanders served as cantor of Hollis Hills Jewish Center from 1952 to 1962, when he left to serve at Congregation Shearith Israel in Dallas.[6]

Reverend Frank E. Strassfeld served Hollis Hills Jewish Center for 49 years, in roles such as Shammes and Director of Religious Activities and Daily Services.[7][8] Born in Poland on December 26, 1922, Rev. Strassfeld immigrated to the United States in 1935.[8] During World War II, Rev. Stassfeld served in the United States Army Air Corps.[8] Strassfeld died in November 1998.[9] The main sanctuary is dedicated as Reverend Frank E. Strassfeld Sanctuary, and the block of Union Turnpike directly in front of the building was named Reverend Frank Strassfeld Turnpike in 2000.[8]

As of 2015, Hollis Hills Jewish Center's clergy are Rabbi David Wise and Cantor Sol Zim.[1] Zim has served since 1964.[10] H. Joseph Simckes is Rabbi Emeritus.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Clergy". Hollis Hills Jewish Center. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d "Jewish Center Ceremonies Held". The New York Times. May 16, 1949. p. 13.
  3. ^ Lipman, Steve. "Aging Queens Shul Tightens Safety Net". The New York Jewish Week. Manhattan edition. February 19, 2016. p. 1,16-17.
  4. ^ a b "Rabbi Will Be Installed At the Hollis Hills Center". The New York Times. January 27, 1951. p. 14.
  5. ^ "Naphtali Frishberg, Rabbi in Larchmont". The New York Times. August 10, 1960. p. 31.
  6. ^ a b c "Services Sunday for Sol Sanders, Retired Cantor". The Dallas Morning News. February 23, 1986. p. 31A.
  7. ^ "Strassfeld—Frank E." (obituary). The New York Times. November 13, 1998. p. B15.
  8. ^ a b c d "Queens Turnpike, Playground Renamed After Late Activists". New Voice of New York. January 5, 2000. p. 11.
  9. ^ "Strassfeld, Frank E." (paid death notice). The New York Times. November 13, 1998. p. 15.
  10. ^ Brown, Cailin. "Cantor Brings Song to Worship". The Times Union (Albany, New York). October 31, 1992. p. E1.
  11. ^ Rabbi Emeritus H. Joseph Simckes". Hollis Hills Jewish Center. Accessed April 4, 2016.