YOUNG ISRAEL OF GREAT NECK was founded by six idealistic families on Shabbat Shira in 1974. Their dream was to build a shul that would adhere to the Mishnah in Avot, an institution that would excel at all three pillars of Judaism: Torah, Avodah and Gemilut Chasadim Torah study, service to G-d, and kindness to their fellow man. Torah study, the importance of being intellectually involved and constantly growing in Jewish knowledge are themes which are heavily emphasized by Rabbi Yaacov Lerner, Rabbi of the Young Israel of Great Neck nearly since its inception. Classes are held in the shul throughout the day, beginning with shiurim in the early morning prior to Schacharit minyanim and ending with Daf Yomi every evening. Classes for women, lunch and learning for professionals, pre bar and bat mitzvah classes for children and a parsha class for third to fifth graders are some of the many offerings. The Young Israel also houses PROJECT IDENTITY, an independent outreach program for Jewish adults, which offers a full array of courses on many areas of Judaism. Hundreds travel from near and from far to participate in this exciting program. Young Israel of Great Neck has no paid chazzan or baal koreh. It encourages all of its members who are capable to volunteer to lead the davening and the laining. There is a large reservoir of talent to draw from within the shul, making for beautiful, inspirational services. True to the mandate of its parent organization, the National Council of Young Israel, the Young Israel of Great Neck seeks the active involvement of its youth on all levels. There is a full range of youth activities sponsored by the Youth Department, including Shabbat davening in groups for younger children and a Teen Minyan for older ones. Children are encouraged to lead the davening and laining in the main sanctuary as well. The Young Israel of Great Neck works hard to cultivate an atmosphere of warmth and closeness within its membership. The themes of unity and ahavat Yisrael permeate many of the Rabbi's drashot. The Young Israel family reaches out to its own through its Bill Kufeld Gemach Fund to assist members who have fallen on hard times. The Chesed Mordechai Committee assists families that are sitting shiva by setting up the home and arranging for meals. Members are also urged to display their sense of responsibility to Klal Yisrael and our people's broader needs by contributing to the Edith Lang Chesed Fund which distributes large sums of tzedekah each year to needy Jews and worthwhile causes around the globe. The Young Israel of Great Neck seeks to inspire its families to constantly grow closer to G-d, to one another and to Klal Yisrael the world over. That defines the essence of its mission.
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