Community Celebrates Hanukkah at the Free Synagogue

Community leaders representing different faiths today celebrated Hanukkah by lighting the Menorah of the Free Synagogue of Flushing, located on Kissena Boulevard and Sanford Avenue in downtown Flushing, Queens.

”The Free Synagogue of Flushing, like other houses of worship in Queens, serves as a focal point for our community. The emotional and spiritual support that is offered and available has not been extinguished by the pandemic. Although our doors may be physically closed and social distancing has kept us from being together, since the beginning of the pandemic we have continued to provide religious services, spiritual guidance, educational offerings and virtual social gatherings,” stated Alan J. Brava, Executive Director of the Free Synagogue of Flushing. “As we celebrate the holiday of Hanukkah, a commemoration of a Biblical miracle, we arrive at this season with miracles on our minds. We hope and pray that the distribution of the vaccines will be a 21st century miracle that the world so desperately needs. Our synagogue is here to support our community and serve as a focal point in the months and years to come for all peoples. Ken Y’hi Ratzon….May it be God’s will…..”

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It is also known as the Festival of Lights and is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev, by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah. One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles.

“The Free Synagogue is an important part of what Mayor Dinkins called New York City’s gorgeous mosaic and I’m honored to join with other faith leaders to celebrate Hanukkah at this historic landmark,” stated the John Choe of the Religious Society of Friends and Board Member of the Flushing Interfaith Council. “This Hanukkah, I rededicate myself to serving our diverse community and ensuring that all those who live and work here have the resources to survive and recover from this terrible pandemic.”

Rabbi Jeffrey Gale, Spiritual Leader of the Free Synagogue of Flushing, officiated in the menorah lighting ceremony along with members of his congregation and other faith leaders from the Flushing Interfaith Council.

“On behalf of Sikh Center of New York, I wish Happy Hanukkah to all the Jewish members of our interfaith family. May the light of the #Hanukkah menorah uplift and strengthen our Jewish brothers, sisters and all humanity wherever they may be,” stated Harpreet Singh Wahan, founding president of Flushing Interfaith Council & Member of Sikh Center of NY. “From my family to yours, a most joyous and #HappyHanukkah! May the miracle of a disease-free world start with these lights! Amen!”

Established in 1917 by the Hebrew Women’s Aid Society, the Free Synagogue of Flushing is the oldest liberal Reform synagogue in Queens. Both of its buildings are listed on the New York State Register and the National Register of Historic Places. The Free Synagogue of Flushing was founded on the philosophy of the first Free Synagogue, the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in Manhattan. These principles include freedom of the pulpit, freedom in religious philosophy, freedom in terms of seating, and the equality of men and women in participation and leadership. But the most important aspect of the movement founded by Rabbi Stephen S. Wise is the principle of social justice and the Free Synagogue of Flushing has been a bastion of liberal thought and social activism throughout the community.

“The synagogue’s doors have been open for 103 years. When we opened, the nation had just entered World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 was raging throughout the world. During World War II we opened our doors to the Red Cross to assist with casualties and the reunification of war refugees displaced by the Holocaust. During the Civil rights movement, the congregation organized boycotts of businesses not practicing racial equality. History has a way of repeating itself and we are now facing a repeat: a pandemic and civil and economic unrest. Today, we must draw on our past accomplishments to guide our future direction,” stated Souksavat Soukhaseum, Director of Community Affairs at the Free Synagogue of Flushing.

“Now as we grapple with the pandemic and hope and pray that the vaccines will allow us to return to a sense of normalcy, the Free Synagogue will once again open its doors to both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities and offer an array of opportunities and programming and serve as a focal point of the Flushing community to bring together all peoples of faith at a time when our faith has been tested.”

Today, the Free Synagogue of Flushing continues to welcome all people: interfaith couples, straight, gay, every ethnicity and heritage, spanning the generations with an elderly contingent as well as member families with young children. While the demographics in Flushing have changed since it was first established, the Free Synagogue remains loyal to the inscription above its magnificent neo-classical facade which reads, “For mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people” – Isaiah 56:7. For more information about the Free Synagogue of Flushing, visit freesynagogueflushing.org.

"More than 40,000 New Yorkers have already died from COVID-19, including my friend Justine Eisenberg who turned 103 this year," said John Choe, who recently announced his candidacy to become the next Council Member representing Flushing. "I pledge to do everything in my power to stop the suffering of our neighbors. I rededicate myself to serving all the people of District 20 in the same spirit found at the Free Synagogue: regardless of race, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation, we are all God 's children and must embrace, welcome, and uplift everyone. Let's come together and ease the immense suffering unfolding all around us."