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Remembering Remsen Jewish Center At Its Height
Michael Mondschein is a former president of Remsen Heights Jewish Center,. which will close its doors at Avenue K and East 87th Street next week. Mondschein is also a former Canarsie Courier contributing columnist, whose "Something Nice" column ran for a number of years. To us, the column was always "something nice," and, therefore, at this time we thought it appropriate to publish his following poignant retrospective: By Michael Mondschein In 1959, Remsen Heights Jewish Center opened its doors to the Canarsie Community. Next week, after 42 years, the congregation will close its portals. Remsen Heights has always served our entire community, and its leadership will be missed. At one time, Remsen Heights was the largest congregation in Canarsie. It boasted nearly 600 families in membership, 350 children in its Hebrew school, and several hundred senior citizens in its senior program. Under the guidance of its founding fathers, such the late Abe Zeitchick, Robert Fine, Abe Klonsky, and Leon Guttman, the congregation first met in a tent on Avenue K and later built a beautiful sanctuary and school. My family first joined the center 25 years ago at the suggestion of the late Jack Radow. It was Jack who insisted that I become active in the operation of the synagogue — not that I needed that much of a push. As years passed, I made some great friendships and have some wonderful memories. Watching my own children and the other Canarsie children grow from infants to adults under the purview of the center is my fondest. The children would argue over who would get which part in the Friday night services. There were carnivals and games where our children won prizes. We once had a goldfish grow over 6 inches long before it died. We couldn’t flush it, so my kids buried it in the backyard. There were Purim parties, Chanukah plays, Tu B’Shevat tree plantings in the middle of the winter, Simchas Torah dancing, Passover sedars, pumpkin and apple picking, Mets games...all great memories. As our children grew, they began to be bar and bas mitzvahed. Rabbi Zdanowitz was a fantastic teacher and spiritual leader. He and Cantor Mitgang took tremendous pride in their accomplishments. The high holiday services were particularly outstanding. The sanctuary, gymnasium, and hallways were filled with over a thousand people. Children were running and playing in the lobby and street. Mothers were wheeling baby carriages. Grandfathers would pray silently wearing their tallasim. The choir would chant haunting melodies. The Shofar blowing signaled the end of the holiday. I remember Las Vegas nights, Bingo Mondays, Atlantic City trips, weekends in the Catskills, card and Mah Jong parties and community breakfasts. We participated in many community events and activities such as Yom Hashoah, the Catholic Jewish Relations Council, joint services lighting the Chanukah menorah and Christmas tree, Brotherhood services and CVAC breakfasts. The people were fantastic. Sure we had our disagreements, but we all had a common purpose--a better life for our families and community. This ultimately bound us together. There are too many names to mention here, but I will also remember the remaining few, led by Elliot Fagin and Martin Suchin, who allowed Remsen Heights to continue for as long as we did. Tomorrow night, January 26th, will be the last Oneg Shabbat. Many of our children, now married men and women with their own families, are coming back to conduct the services. Saturday morning will be the last Shabbos service. Thereafter, Remsen Heights Jewish Center will cease to function for religious services. Someday I’ll take out an old photo album, sit in my easy chair, put on reading glasses and turn the pages. I’ll close my eyes and dream of the days when Remsen Heights Jewish Center was really Something Nice.
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