Great American Jewish Cities: Far Rockaway

Jewish History Soundbites seeks to explore the growth of various Jewish communities both within the great urban centers and across the golden plain.

Our pilot episode touches on the community of Far Rockaway, lying somewhere in between Queens and Long Island. This resort area which had a Jewish presence even prior to the War, began a growth
spurt along with the so called "white flight" to the suburbs in the two decades following the war.

Personalities like Rabbis Zelig Fortman, Ralph Pelcovitz, Emanuel Rackman, Nachman Bulman, Shlomo Freifeld, and ybl"ch Rabbi Yechiel Perr, and many more, planted the seeds of a vibrant Orthodox community.

Institutions like the White Shul, HILI, Shor Yoshuv, Young Israel, Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, even the Mir made a showing, and later on Yeshivas Darchei Torah.

Events from a bygone era like the reception for Rav Kook or the Kovna Rov, the Agudas Harabonim conventions at the kosher hotels all come together to paint a picture of this special Jewish town.