Mission & History

Since 1958 the New City Jewish Center has grown in many ways, playing a major role in the lives of its congregants. We are truly a vibrant center of Jewish life in the community, a congregation committed to the highest ideals of Conservative Judaism and standards of Jewish education. The Center aims to respond to the growth and diversity of its members by offering many new, varied, and interesting services, programs, and activities.

Our programs of religious services, Hebrew education, adult education, and social functions are complemented by our commitment to social action and awareness of the community at large.

There are so many ways in which you can participate at New City Jewish Center. Each member may have come to the Center for a different reason and with different needs and interests. With that in mind, we have tried to provide something here for each person at every level of involvement. The synagogue needs and welcomes your support and participation--no matter how small or large--in all areas of our religious observances and obligations, social activities, fund raising activities, Hebrew School, children’s activities, Youth Community, etc.

Please feel welcome to visit any of our services at any time. If you would like to meet with some of our officers or members, arrange for a tour of the synagogue, or discuss membership information in further detail, please call the office at 845-638-9600 Ext 101 and someone from the Membership Committee will contact you to arrange an appointment. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you and to assist you.

VALUES STATEMENT OF THE NEW CITY JEWISH CENTER

New City Jewish Center is dedicated to providing a path that brings us closer to G-d and to each other through Jewish learning and living, the study of Torah and the performance of mitzvoth.

We are committed to educating adults and children of all ages in Judaism’s rich heritage and its contemporary significance, sharing Jewish rituals and values and the joy of Shabbat and holiday observance.

As a member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, New City Jewish seeks to foster commitment to the tenets of Conservative Judaism.

New City Jewish Center sees itself as the extended family of members. We seek to create an open, embracing and caring congregation that welcomes diversity and encourages the participation and inclusion of all members.

As an egalitarian congregation, men and women have the opportunity to participate equally in all aspects of synagogue ritual.

We seek a balance between tradition and modernity within the framework of Jewish law in order to be central and relevant to the way members live their lives.

New City Jewish Center recognizes its responsibility to the larger Jewish community and encourages its members to be engaged with and supportive of the Jewish people locally, nationally, in Israel and around the world.

New City Jewish Center believes that we are responsible as a congregation for being compassionate, active members of our synagogue as well as the community at large.

OUR HISTORY

September 1958, the New City Jewish Center was founded by a small group of Jewish families who wanted to be able to worship in their own town. An old house, located on what is now our lower parking lot, was bought and refurbished to provide a sanctuary on the first floor and an office for the rabbi and 3 classrooms for the Hebrew school on the second floor. During the renovation period, religious services and Hebrew school were conducted in the New City Firehouse. As we grew in numbers, we needed more space for the High Holidays and a huge tent was rented. In the tent it was alternately hot and muggy or cold and damp. A campaign was started to build a permanent building, now known as the Karsch Chapel (and its environs), all under the aegis of Dr. Robert Sher, z"l.  

This first building was large, beautiful, and well equipped with rooms for worship and a school, and with a kitchen and clerical offices. However, not surprisingly, we began to outgrow this building in less time than it takes to tell and work on the Langerman Sanctuary was begun, such to be completed and dedicated by 1985.

Several renovations have helped enlarge our space since then, the Rita Eilbaum Youth Lounge and the Henry Sosland Nursery School Wing being two of the largest. It would seem that huge renovations are things of the past but smaller adjustments continue to make our space more usable. 

May we all continue to grow from strength to strength.