EMET’s Staff Host Bukharian Chief Rabbi At Its New Center

• Prev
• 1 of 3
• Next

Last Thursday, EMET Outreach greeted an esteemed guest, Rabbi Yitzchak Yisraeli, who paid a special visit to the organization’s new offices and learning center on Union Turnpike. The Bukharian Chief Rabbi of the U.S and Canada was met by senior staff members, led by Directors Rabbi Akiva Rutenberg and Rabbi Mordechai Kraft.

Rabbi Nissim Musheyev, Director of EMET’s Upper Boys’ Division, said the staff described the many ways EMET benefits the community. He added, “The Rav was excited to hear about our work, especially the wide range of age groups we impact, including college students, young professionals, and married couples. He gave us a beracha for continued success, and we’re very grateful.”

Initially expected to take about 20 minutes, the meeting lasted over 3 hours, with staff members telling the Chief Rabbi about EMET’s wide array of programs and events, including 5 fellowships, 8 campus programs, dozens of Shabbatons, an array of exciting trips, and frequent couple’s events. Rabbi Yisraeli was impressed at the organization’s success rate, including the number of students who become observant, and the fact that a new EMET couple gets engaged, on average, about once a week.

Staff members explained their unique approach to kiruv, based on relationship-building and showing students respect, sensitivity, and a positive outlook on having a Torah lifestyle. As a result of this approach, many students stay connected with their teachers and peers long after they graduate and get married.

Guidance and direction

EMET’s directors took advantage of the opportunity to ask Rabbi Yisraeli’s opinions on common issues, and get direction on how to address the needs of students within the context of halacha.

Rabbi Rutenberg, EMET’s co-founder and CEO, was appreciative that Rabbi Yisraeli made the trip to his headquarters. “I expressed to the Rav how meaningful it was for our staff to have the privilege of hosting someone of his stature,” he said, adding, “We look forward to working with Rabbi Yisraeli in the future, and are thankful for his leadership within the community.”

Rapid growth and lasting success

Founded over 10 years ago, EMET has grown consistently year after year, continuously adding new staff members, creating new divisions, and boosting its programming. Over the past 4 years, the group’s popularity throughout Queens and beyond has been particularly explosive. It now has over 15 dedicated staff members, including 9 dynamic full-time Rabbis and teachers. It is the one of largest Bukharian outreach organizations in the world, and one of the largest kiruv organizations in the country.

EMET moved into its spacious new Jamaica Estates headquarters this past September, which in addition to offices, also houses a new learning center, where the organization frequently hosts special events, classes, and lectures. Always looking into the future, EMET’s leaders plan to further expand its programs and divisions in the coming year, and its staff members and supporters are excited about the next phase.

Unexpected encounter

One of the most emotional parts of the meeting was when the Chief Rabbi met a student who happened to be visiting that day to speak with a teacher. She told the Rabbi about her background, saying she grew up in a secular home with almost no Jewish education. Since joining EMET, she has discovered her heritage and feels a sense of purpose. She now keeps kosher, and plans to start observing Shabbat in the near future. 

Rabbi Yisraeli was inspired by her story, and gave her a special beracha to continue her remarkable growth, and keep following the Torah path. Her story is just one of thousands of similar ones experienced by EMET’s students. It underscores the immense need in the community for EMET’s learning programs, Shabbatons, events, and trips, as well the enormous impact its rabbis and teachers have had on the entire community.