This shul has an interesting history. It was established about 50 years ago as a Conservative Jewish Synagogue. About 18 years ago,

the Orthodox Jewish Community in Fresh Meadows had grown and was in need of a place to hold services. A branch of Young Israel

of Hillcrest opened in the Annex of Utopia Jewish Center. In 1999, the shul was united to become a full time Modern Orhodox Synagogue.

Our Shul was published about in The Jewish Press on October 25, 2002. The following is a copy of that article.

The Utopia Jewish Center Grows Bigger and Better

By: PHYLLIS HOCHBERG

     The Utopia Jewish Center, uniquely situated in a residential neighborhood right on the border of Hillcrest and Fresh Meadows is welcoming their second Orthodox Rabbi in three years, Rabbi Yonoson Hirtz will be officially installed at the shul's upcoming dinner on December 7^th.

     The synagogue, which was Conservative for over 40 years, is currently an energetic Orthodox congregation.  According to Jay Goldberg, president of the Utopia Jewish Center, "The Transformation to Orthodoxy began slowly over the past decade or so."  He then adds with obvious pride, "Our shul is now a member of the Orthodox Union."

     What began as a small "overflow" minyan of about 30 members from the Young Israel of Hillcrest, has flourished into a vibrant congregation with a membership of ap­proximately 100 families.

     "About 10 years ago a minyan calling themselves the Utopia Torah Congregation started renting space in the Talmud Torah building of the former Utopia Jewish Center," explains Mr. Goldberg.  "Over the years, the Conservative population of the synagogue started to dwindle while the Orthodox congregation was growing larger.  Soon the Utopia Torah Congregation had to move their services to the main ball-room in the basement of the Utopia Jewish Center."

     Although the relationship between the two congre­gations was cordial, it was not always perfect.  There were those who harbored some feeling of anger about the change that was taking place. Before Long, the Conservative conger-gation was no longer able to maintain a minyan. On Shabbos, November 6, 1999, the two congregations consolidated and the first unified service for both congregations was held in the shul's main sanctuary.  A mechitza had been set up and the microphone was removed. Mr. Goldberg points out, "When the congregations merged, some Conservative members decided to stay on and are still involved with the shul.  Rabbi Soloman Goldman, who was with the Utopia Jewish Center for about 37 years is our shul's Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi Efraim Schwalb was the first Rabbi of the Utopia Jewish Center Orthodox congregation."

     The members of the shul are a close knit eclectic group.  "We have all types of people we have members that went to yeshiva all their lives.  We also have several members that are baales teshuva," notes Mr. Goldberg, who has been a member for three years.  "Ours is a very welcoming shul and that is one of the reasons that my family joined.  The shul has a very warm and friendly atmosphere.  When we see a new face in shul, someone will come over to them to say hello and ask them if they are new in the neighborhood.  At the kiddush, which we have every Shabbos, we will be sure to welcome new people.  This is the advantage of not being a very big shul - you don't feel lost in the crowd."

     Being a baal teshuva himself, Mr. Goldberg appreciates the patience and warmth that emanates from the shul.  "When we first came here, the Rabbi at the time knew that we were baalie teshuva.  He made sure that someone sat down next to my wife to help her out just in case she wasn't familiar with something. They always announce what pages we are up to just to be sure that everyone can follow."

     Jay's wife, Wendy Goldberg, editor of the shul's newsletter and active member of the sisterhood remarked, "We tried several other shuls in the community when we first moved to the neighborhood but here, we always felt very welcome."

     According to Josh Rosenthal, who has been a member of the congregation since its early days, "I have always loved coming to this shul.  I have watched it evolve.  The shul has always been sensitive to the needs of the newcomers. Visitors will always get an aliya and if they have no background someone will help them out.  There are no cliques as in other shuls. Everyone is friendly and congenial to one another.  The shul has helped me to inspire others."

     His wife, Mindy Rosenthal adds, Even though we live in the heart of Hillcrest, close to several other shuls, we don't mind the longer walk. People in this shul are not pre­tentious, there is no "in group" as in some other shuls."

     As part of their efforts to revitalize Orthodoxy in the surrounding communities, the shul has become involved with numerous undertakings. Wendy Goldberg, proudly de-scribed some of the sisterhood's endeavors, "We recently hosted a 'mothers for Israel' breakfast which attracted about 400 people. On Shabbas afternoon, a number of women meet at alternate houses where we have a 'shira group.' This began as a singing group for woman to upgrade their He-brew skills through song. This year they started to read more literature, and articles in Hebrew including Tehillim   to practice oral language skills." She also noted, "We have recently started a smicha and Israli dance class on Sunday mornings, given by Dina Deutscher." She also mentioned that plans underway for a major concert sometime in the spring.

     During the week, there is always something going on at the shul. "We now house a girls' yeshiva, Bet Yaakov Ohel Simcha High School," relates Mr. Goldberg. "The lo-cal chapter of NCSY (National Conference of Synagogue Youth) is houses next door, in the building that was our congregation's first location. Additionally, this past September, a girls post-high school Seminary, Tifereth Bnos Yisrael, opened in our building. This building is being used all day and there is always learning going on."

     The congregation is currently welcoming their new Rabbi, Yonoson Hirtz, who has been at the helm for two months. "One great benefit of our new Rabbi is that he came as a package deal," commented Mr. Goldberg with a smile. "We get a great new Rabbi, his lively Rebbetzin and their five children as a bonus."

     Rabbi Hirtz, previously with the Hebrew Academy of Greater Washington, (the Berman Hebrew Academy), spent 13 years in Silver Spring, Maryland. He received semicha from Yeshiva Shaarei Torah of Monsey. His wife, Rochelle, is also very involved in the shul. Wendy Goldberg remarked, "In the short time that they have been here she has given so many shiurim for women that they have been so inspiring. She is very vivacious and very knowledgeable."

     Rabbi Hirtz has already implemented lively Shabbos shiurim and Sunday morning breakfasts followed by a shiur on Rambam. He is planning to offer classes on various Jew-ish topics on all levels. His goal for the future is "to increase and enhance Jewish awareness and identity in the Fresh Meadows/Hillcrest community."

For more information about the Utopia Jewish Center or the community, call (718) 461-8347.    

     Our Morah D'Asra is Rabbi Yonoson Hirtz. Rabbi Yonoson Hirtz was raised in Monsey, NY where he was a student at Yeshiva Shaarei Torah. He received Smicha from the esteemed Rosh Yeshiva and author, Rabbi Berel Wein, after which he taught the twelfth grade shuir.

Married for twenty years to Rochelle Schwartz, formerly of Ocean Township, New Jersey, Rabbi Hirtz and his family moved to the Washington area fourteen years ago where he taught at the Berman Hebrew Academy.

The Rabbi was a member of the middle and high school faculty. In addition, the Rabbi was an integral part of Young Israel Shomrei Emunah where, as well as delivering drashot on Shabbos and Yomim Tovim, he taught many classes as part of their adult education program. In March 2002, Rabbi Hirtz was honored at the YISE Annual Banquet as Community Teacher and Scholar.

Rabbi Hirtz has authored numerous articles on Halacha topics and is working on a forthcoming book. In addition to having been a Scholar-in-Residence, he has lectured and spoken in various synagogues and schools throughout the country.

     An accomplished educator, Rochelle (as she prefers to be addressed) has taught at the Hebrew Academy and the Yeshiva of Greater Washington. She also was the Principal of Shalheves High School for girls in Baltimore.

     In the Spring of 2002, the Utopia Jewish Center congregation was fortunate to have selected Rabbi Hirtz as their Morah D’Asra. He participated in and conducted Shavuos services and officially began as the Rabbi in mid-August.

Every Shabbos afternoon and Sunday mornings after davening, the Rabbi provides enlightening shuirim. This is just the beginning of what Rabbi Hirtz plans to provide for our congregants and community. In addition, he began, this Fall, to teach several subject areas to the high school students at HAFTR.

     The Hirtz family includes five children (4 boys and 1 girl) ranging in age from 9 to 20 years. Aron, the oldest, is currently studying in Israel. Shaya, attends HALB where he is a senior on the varsity basketball team. Avrohom attends 11^th grade in Yeshiva in Virgiinia while Yehuda is a 9^th grader at Tiferes Moshe. Ahuva is a third grader at Bnos Malka. Rochelle presently teaches high school girls at SKA in the Five Towns. She has become a driving force in the congregation and community with her enthusiasm and commitment to building UJC in the short time that she has been with us.

We look forward to a long, productive and prosperous relationship with Rabbi Hirtz and his family.