By Nathan Duke
A Little Neck rabbi said his congregation has grown exponentially each year since he began giving High Holiday services in the neighborhood due to the fact that his Cullman Avenue-based Chabad welcomes Jews of all affiliations.
This year's services begin next week.
Rabbi Eli Shifrin, 29, will deliver this year's High Holiday services Monday and running through Oct. 9 at Little Neck's Yeshivah Har Torah, at 250-10 Grand Central Pkwy.
The rabbi and his wife, Rivka, 26, are emissaries in the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a Brooklyn-based group dedicated to reviving traditional Judaism across the lines of Reform, Conservative and Orthodox affiliations.
“We treat everyone as family,” Eli Shifrin said. “They do not feel intimidated by the rabbi. We look at every single Jew and do not judge them by their background or what their affiliation is. We feel we have more in common than not.”
The rabbi said he will deliver free-of-charge morning and evening services for Rosh Hashana from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at Yeshivah Har Torah as well as Yom Kippur services on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9. Rosh Hashana is the Jewish new year, while Yom Kippur is a day of atonement.
He said the 11 a.m. children's programs for Rosh Hashana will be followed by a kiddush brunch, a ceremonial blessing over wine or bread that is held on a holy day.
The couple, who are Hasidic, moved to Little Neck in the fall of 2005 and have made it their mission to draw borough Jews to their Chabad, at 254-05 Cullman Ave., regardless of affiliation.
Rivka Shifrin said her husband delivered services to seven people at their first High Holiday services in 2005, but drew more than 120 people last year. She said she expects more than 150 people of varying affiliations to attend this year. Shifrin will also deliver Sukkot services from his Chabad, which serves Little Neck, Douglaston and Glen Oaks, Oct. 14-15, as well as hosting a family night featuring pizza, holiday arts and crafts and an exotic animal show at the site Oct. 19. The Chabad will hold a Torah bash and dance Oct. 21.
The Chabad will kick off a variety of programs and services following the High Holidays, including Shabbat services, Torah classes, challah bread baking classes and a Jewish women's circle club.
“We are trying to keep Jewish people connected — infants, young kids, teens and adults,” the rabbi said.
For more information about the Chabad of Little Neck or to attend high holiday services, call 718-221-6731 or e-mail chabadlittleneck@gmail.com.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
