OUR HISTORY
Northeast Jewish Center, a friendly Traditional Synagogue, was founded in 1957. It held its first services at the Hartman Orphan Home on Tuckahoe Road, then occupied two different storefront locations before moving to its present home on Salisbury Road, just off Tuckahoe Road, in the northeast section of Yonkers, in 1961.
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In it new building, the synagogue grew by leaps and bounds, boasting a Hebrew School enrollment of 250 youngsters – and averaging 50 bar/Bat Mitzvahs a year!. Then, beginning in the late 1970's, the demographics of a population shift, the maturing of the member base, children growing up and moving away, all caused a slowing in the membership growth pattern, and a marked reduction in the number of children. The Synagogue eventually entered into a joint venture with the Hebrew Schools of neighboring synagogues to offer the remaining children a Jewish education.
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NEJC hired Rabbi Joshua Lefkowitz in 1987 when Rabbi Wise assumed the position of Rabbi Emeritus, due to failing health. In 1998, Rabbi William Berkowitz assumed that position. In 1999, Rabbi Craig Glasser was elected to the position, which he is still serving.
Under Rabbi Glasser's guidance and tutelage, Northeast Jewish Center offers individualized Hebrew lessons to youngsters, provides wonderful Shabbat and holiday luncheons and dinners, and teaches monthly Lunch and Learn sessions on Shabbat. He has re-enforced what Northeast was always best known for - being "Heimish", while at the same time sharing his scholarly knowledge with the congregation, as well as being a leader in the community.
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Current thriving committees include Religious Affairs, Membership, Honors, Finance, Memorials and Dedications and House. The Sisterhood, chaired by Marge Wise, and Men's Club, are very active sponsoring: *Paid Up Suppers *Luncheons *Monthly meetings *Breakfasts *Dinner-Dance/Journal *Torah Fund Brunch *Barbecues are held throughout the year.
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Programs including Yom Ha-Shoah and Kristallnacht (Holocaust Remembrances), Israel Independence Day, and Veterans’ Shabbat are held at the appropriate time during the year.
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Northeast Jewish Center celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Gala Celebration in October 2007 .
The synagogue looks forward to many more good years serving the community of northeast Yonkers and the surrounding area.