Rabbi David Algaze’s last day as full-time rabbi of the synagogue he created in 1981, Congregation Havurat Yisrael in Forest Hills, will be on June 6. Rabbi and Rebbetzin Tamara Algaze will relocate to Miami Beach, Florida. Both hope to spend more time with family.
Rabbi Algaze will also concentrate on writing – perhaps a book – and studying. He will continue his involvement with the Portal Al Judaismo, which he created in 2014 to serve the Spanish-speaking world, and will serve as Rabbi Emeritus of Havurat Yisrael.
The synagogue was the first in Forest Hills to have a Beginners Minyan and women on its board of directors. The synagogue is known for its accepting and inclusionary ethos, especially toward converts and singles.
The Rabbi has been giving a Gemara shiur every morning before weekday davening, as well as weekly Parshah classes in English and Spanish, and “Journey in Jewish Literature” and “The Prayer of Ana Bekoach” classes.
Nearly 200 people attended a Farewell Dinner held at the Bukharian Jewish Community Center in Forest Hills on Thursday, May 28. Eighteen people spoke at the four-hour-plus goodbye party catered by Colbeh. Havurat Yisrael member Michael James emceed the evening.
Rabbi Algaze recalled leaving Buenos Aires, Argentina, at 20 years of age. “Hashem sent me to this place,” Forest Hills, while in his 20s. “I’m very proud of all the things that we’ve been able to do: the synagogue that I leave, the community that I built, the great revolutions that we made in this community.” Rabbi Algaze mentioned the many students and shidduchim made at Havurat Yisrael. “Above all, I hope we have created a community of love.”
“I leave not with sadness, but with a great, great deal of happiness at what we have done.” The Rabbi thanked the community “for all that you have done for me, and for my family, all these years. I take with me a great treasure.”
Rebbetzin Tamara Algaze helped design the shul’s new building – which opened in 2015 – working with the architect, securing furniture from Israel, and building an interior skylight. The Rebbetzin also assisted with the annual Journal dinners, holiday, and Shabbat meals. She is most proud of “the spiritual condition of the shul, the Havurah [circle of friends], and the beautiful turnout of the gerim [converts] that flock to the shul because of the Rabbi.”
When the Rebbetzin’s mother passed away last year, she was buoyed by the community’s “overwhelming response.” “I’m very grateful to the community for being so tight, accepting, friendly, and supportive.”
Jack Goldhaber, who was president of Havurat Yisrael for 25 years and Treasurer for 18 years, said Rabbi Algaze “had a unique vision that every Jew has a place in the community.” “He welcomed all Jews regardless of their background or level of observance, fostering a love for learning and Judaism.”
Renee Feit Hirsch spoke about the Rabbi visiting her father when he was declining and singing opera with him. The Rabbi also visited her mother during her last few days. “A Rabbi is more than a teacher; he is a source of comfort in times of sorrow, a voice of hope in moments of uncertainty, and a reminder of the strength found within each of us,” she said.
Carol Poveda spoke of the learning, discussions, and conversations, many of them philosophical, that took place over two years before her conversion.
Mehran Arasheben spoke of the Rabbi traveling with his family to Israel for just three days for his son’s upsherin, the first haircut.
Rabbi Moishe Ruerberg spoke via Zoom from Puebla, Mexico, thanking Rabbi Algaze’s Portal Al Judaismo for encouraging children all over Latin America to attend Rabbi Ruerberg’s yeshivah. The organization has financially supported the yeshivah itself, as well as families moving to Puebla.
Rabbi Algaze led the attendees in a song that friends sang to him when he left Argentina at 20 years old.
The evening closed with singing and dancing to SheHecheyanu V’Kiymanu Vi’Higianu LaZman Hazeh (thanking G-d for reaching this moment). Music was provided by Sandy Shmuely, who has known Rabbi Algaze for more than 25 years.
Rabbi Algaze received Certificates and Proclamations for his 45 years of service to the synagogue and community from Congresswoman Grace Meng, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, NY State Senator Joe Addabbo, NY State Assemblymembers Andrew Hevesi and Jenifer Rajkumar, City Council Members Lynn Schulman and Phil Wong, and Chairperson of Community Board 6, Salua Baida. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz planned to attend but was ultimately unable to be there in person.
Numerous rabbis came to extend their good wishes, including Rabbi Yaniv Meirov of CHAZAQ, Rabbi Elisha Friedman of the Young Israel of Forest Hills, Rabbi Judah Kerbel of the Queens Jewish Center, Rabbi Yossi Mendelson of Congregation Machane Chodosh, Rabbi Mordechai Kraft of Emet, Rabbi Gavriel Rubin of the Chofetz Chaim Yeshiva, Rabbi Asher Vaknin of the Bukharian Jewish Community Center, and Rabbi Yaakov Sebrow of Yeshiva Madreigas HaAdam.
Havurat Yisrael has created a search committee to find a new Rabbi. Rabbi Avrohom Levitt is currently serving as the Assistant Rabbi at Havurat Yisrael.
By David Schneier
