Emet Outreach Celebrates Opening Of New Center In Hillcrest

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In the course of its 14 years of building a community from a young generation of college students, Emet Outreach never had its own building. It operated in extremely modest space in Kew Gardens Hills even as it expanded its coverage to eight college campuses across the city and beyond, with more than 2,000 students attending its programs. On Sunday, Emet dedicated its new office and classroom space at 185-12 Union Turnpike in Hillcrest before a sizable crowd of community leaders, students, and alumni.

“It’s ten times bigger than the space we had before, and we have a seminary here,” said Emet coordinator Rabbi Nissim Musheyev. “We work with students, young professionals, and couples.” The difference with the new office means having the ability to conduct more classes at one site, meet students in privacy at a location that is in the midst of the growing Bukharian Jewish community in Hillcrest, Jamaica Estates, and on the campus of St. John’s University. “It’s a central location,” said Emet Director Rabbi Mordechai Kraft. “If you don’t have a location, it’s difficult for people to know that you’re there.”

Speaking at the mezuzah installation, Emet Director Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg spoke of his grandfather Aaron, in whose memory the building is dedicated. He noted that his family once lived in Hillcrest and shopped for hardware at this very address. “It was this spot and it is still owned by the Eisner family. We have zechut to be in such a great neighborhood.”

Among those celebrating was Forest Hills resident Jasmine Larian, who remains active in Emet in the seven years since her graduation from Queens College. “Emet is family, growth, and clarity. You don’t feel like a stranger. They help you grow and they grow with you.” One such example is developing leadership skills among students and supporting their Jewish initiatives. Together with Kew Gardens Hills resident Mike Abramov, she is involved in Emet’s chesed program. “It is by the students for the community. We’ve created brachah cards, raised money for IDF gear, volunteered at Masbia, delivered for Tomchei Shabbos, and organized T’hilim groups,” said Abramov.

Rabbi Michael Fuzailov began at Emet as a student and is now a teacher at its fellowship program, where he learns Jewish topics with 40 to 50 students. “The high-level programming that we have could not fit in our previous space. It was stuffed. Here, students can have a personal meeting with a rabbi without being overheard.”

Simkho Barayev first learned about Emet as a student at Forest Hills High School. While engaged, he took chasan classes with Emet rabbis, and as a newlywed, he continues to attend its events together with his wife Margaret. “Emet has programs for all of us,” said Barayev. Likewise, Sara Basiratmand first encountered Emet as a student and stayed on as its dynamic program coordinator. Among the lecturers, Rabbi Reuven and Devorah Kigel host students at their Passaic home on Shabbos, while Rabbi Binyamin Yuhanan leads the flourishing Bukharian community in Monsey alongside his duties at Emet. Having grown up with little religion before immigrating to America, Rabbi Kigel and Rabbi Yuhanan became observant as adults, their experiences relatable to that of the students.

Traveling from Maryland, Rabbi Rutenberg’s in-laws Brenda and Zev Pieprz spoke with pride on the past 14 years of his organization’s work. “They never abandon the people that they are m’karev. Their success is that they care about each student and love to see them grow,” said Mrs. Pieprz.

The dinner that followed the ceremony took place at the Bukharian Congregation of Jamaica Estates. Talented St. John’s University student Milana Musayeva was presented with an award for her dedication to Emet and the JSA (Jewish Students’ Association of St. John’s University). In return, Emet volunteers Veronika Kaziyeva, Jasmine Larian, and Mira Borukhova presented a large, ornate plaque on behalf of a group of grateful Emet students. They each spoke poignantly of the strides they have made in Judaism due to Emet. Borukhova said that a Birkas HaBayis (Blessing of the Home) plaque may seem strange to hang at the Emet center, but it’s actually very appropriate: The students truly consider Emet to be their beloved second home.

Dr. Mark Rutenberg, Rabbi Rutenberg’s father, said that his family always lived by values that exemplify achdus – Jewish unity. “They view it as a blessing to be working with the Bukharian people even though they are Ashkenazi,” said Rabbi Musheyev. “Because to them it doesn’t make a difference. A Jew is a Jew.”