Astoria Center of Israel

Astoria Center of Israel is special. New member are not only welcome they are made to feel wanted. I came with no expectations but with great hope of finding a shul to call home and I was not disappointed. Rabbi Pearl and his family set the tone for how to make Shabbat special. I wish I lived closer, I recently moved to Bayside from Astoria. I also want my daughter to be surrounded by such wonderful Jewish spirit. The service are truly wonderful and engaging for young, old and everyone in between.
I love ACI, the Pearl family and the families and individuals that make ACI so special.

ACI is a warm, friendly conservative synagogue led by Rabbi Pearl and his wonderful family and Cantor Lindenblatt. From the minute you walk into this beautiful, historical shul you are captured by the warmth, music and Israeli feel to services. This is not your typical shul! It is different. Many people are turned off by attending services because they feel it is not meaningful or boring. This is definitely NOT the case here! Services are enlightening,
filled with music and songs. I love listening to the Rabbi’s daughter, Ayelet sing. Her voice is beautiful and stirs my emotions. The Rabbi’s entire family partakes and adds so much to the Shabbat services. Sermons led by Rabbi Pearl are relevant and stimulating.
Astoria synagogue has grown tremendously since our entire family has joined. We have been members for over 5 years. There is an influx of young people and families with children looking for a progressive and «hamish» shul. Here at ACI they have found what they are looking for. There are «Tot Shabbats» filled with children, songs, and Jewish spirit. All of the children join the Rabbi and Cantor on the bimah in song to conclude services. The entire congregation stand and join hands to the song
«Hine Ma Tov Umanayim» to conclude services. I always leave services renewed and emotionally charged. There is always a kiddush and many days a special program or luncheon. People who are interested in converting are always welcomed. There has been a conversion class every year since I have been a member.
It’s a wonderful place with many amazing families!

If you are looking for a welcoming shul in the neighborhood, this is it! ACI has been in Astoria for almost 90 years and has clearly been a part of many changes of culture and environment in the neighborhood. The current mix is a group of long term members whose families have been involved with the synagogue for a long time (some since its beginning!) and younger families who came to Astoria when they were ready to settle down and start a family.
ACI is open to new faces and new ideas, so if you want to become a part of a Jewish community in the Astoria/​LIC area, this is the place to go! Contact Rabbi Pearl directly, and he’ll be happy to welcome you in!

ACI is a Conservative Jewish temple. Rabbi Pearl, his immediate family and two handfuls of very committed families work hard to keep this temple going and for the last 5+ years growing.
I’m not religious but I do want my son to have a connection to a jewish community. For many years in Astoria there wasn’t much here for the non-​orthodox. ACI has programming for children (toddlers through bar-​mitzvah), families, singles and the older members as well.
If you’re interested in helping to build a community temple, check it out. If you’re looking for a large congregation where you can just sit back and watch… this probably won’t be your cup of tea.

It was the first time I’ve ever set foot in a synagogue.
And the first time I’ve been to a Jewish synagogue that lends space on Sundays to a Presbyterian church, for a fee, of course.
It is also a synagogue that hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the basement.
Yes, I’m not religious. Neither am I an alcoholic.
Yet I find a lot of reasons to visit this synagogue, among them the amazing murals of Louis Pierre Rigal depicting a lion, deer and eagle. And the glorious stained glass that casts an ethereal sunlit glow to the synagogue in the mornings.
Go and visit, you need not be religious nor be an alcoholic to find it worthwhile.