The Jewish Brotherhood of Kings Park

Since 1904 – 1950

A speech by Sam Clark to the congregation

When I started to think back over the past 46 years so many episodes came to my mind. Some of them were happy, some funny, some sad, some bordered on the ridiculous, some on the miraculous. But all the events were human and colorful and all the people sincere.

It would be impossible to tell of all these events this evening as I have been asked by the committee to make my talk brief. I have, therefore, written a brief outline, which I shall read.

Our very first religious service was held at the home of Gershon and Rachel Patiky. Gershon and Rachel were the Sarah and Abraham of our time. Recall from the Bible how Sarah and Abraham had doors open on all four sides of the structure. These doors were open to all who passed by and were tired and hungry or cold from the night or hot from the burning sands. They were invited to come in and eat and rest and were told when they left that they were welcome to come again.

It was the same in the home of Gershon and Rachel. Gershon was a husky man with a smiling face, red cheeks and a nice grey beard. He had a warm and hearty hand shake equaled by no one I know except Muttle Bernstein. Rachel was tiny but never frail. It might be said that she out did Sarah with the number of people and variety of dishes she served.

It was in their home that Saturday and High Holiday services were held. Members came from Huntington, Northport, Greenlawn, Kings Park and Central Islip. After services all were invited to stay for kiddish and refreshments. Their young son Sam played a great part in these festivities and more often than not, he hitched the horse and buggy to drive the guest’s home. We continued in this manner for several years. Often we walked the seven miles to Elwood where our hosts lived.

Then, one day a miracle happened right in Kings Park, the center of all our participating communities. The Indian Head Farm was sold to a Baron Hirsch Foundation for the placement of Jewish immigrants. They were attempting to establish an agricultural school here. Cottages were built for the workers and their families. Each worker received a salary plus all the produce he could use. The institution grew to 10 families, a superintendent, and an assistant superintendent. The leaders of the foundation were intelligent and well educated men. What's more, they possessed great organization experience as well as religious background.

You can imagine what a boon their coming was to such men as Elias Patiky and Jacob Okst who were eager to expand the Jewish community life of their families and friends. We got together with them for regular meetings, for minions, and for the holidays. We raised funds to continue our work. Our charter was formed. And our cemetery was established.

After a few years, for some unknown reason, the foundation disintegrated. But they left with us the memory and knowledge of some very fine men. Years later one of their leaders, Mr. Millman, returned to the communities as a private teacher to teach our children Hebrew.

With the passing of the foundation we returned to the Patiky Farm for our holiday services. At about this time Gershon Patiky retired from farming and moved to Kings Park where he would be more centrally located to continue the role of Jewish Host. He built a large room in his house for the conducting of services. We are now sitting in the room which he built.

After a short time the families grew, new families were eager to join the group. And Gershon's Room was no longer adequate. The members of the brotherhood got together and talked about a synagogue. The architecture was to be that of the Old World orthodox schul. Elias and Jenny Patiky donated the ground on which the synagogue was to be built. A corner stone party was held and $800 raised through members and friends. There are bricks in the foundation of our Synagogue with the names of the donors inscribed. With money in the bank, plans went into operation very quickly. The question of a mikva came up and it was decided by many of the members that the mikva was outmoded and therefore an unnecessary expenditure. After much heated discussion, the mikva was built. Though it was scarcely used, its presence made one member very happy, namely, Jacob Okst.

Our synagogue was completed and it flourished though financial going was not always easy. In addition to its up-keep a spiritual leader was now necessary. Though it seems incredible now, the $3 a week our Rabbi required was a great burden to our budget. But somehow we raised it.

With the completion of the synagogue another community, Smithtown, joined our organization. These new members created additional workers, additional leaders and additional funds. The outlook was good. We sponsored a social club for the young people. It was called the Bar Kochba Club and was most successful. Rabbi Morris Kertzer was our part time Rabbi at the time and it was through his efforts that the club was formed. The home of Gershon Patiky was purchased at about that time too for our clubrooms.

Then came the lean years. With the closing of the banks in the early 30's our mortgage had to be paid. The members of the brotherhood dug into their pockets and paid it. Though our synagogue mortgage was paid, its doors were not always open. We were without a spiritual leader much of the time. The congregation got together only for the High Holidays. It was a discouraging time the Brotherhood and its leaders.

Through it all, however, Kings Park remained the center of our Jewish social life. With the passing on of the Gershon Patikys, the homes of the Elias Patikys, the Michael Patikys and the Jacob Oksts became the favorite meeting places. Their doors were open to friends, relatives and travelers. And they all came.

Our organization struggled to get on a firm footing again for a number of years. Then one day a stranger appeared at, Okst's store and asked where some of the Brotherhood leaders might be found. Elias and Michael Patiky were called in. The handsome young man with high hat and cane asked to be heard. Could a minion be gathered together for Friday night and Saturday morning services? The young mans name was Rabbi Slonum. He was a student at the Jewish Theological Seminary and wanted nothing except to be heard. His dramatic manner and appearance commanded our attention. He was heard and he was heard again many times. Rabbi Slonum stayed on as our spiritual leader. The religious school was reorganized. Our services became conservative rather than orthodox. And our brotherhood meetings continued with new vigor.

Since Rabbi Slonum's time we have continued to function, at some periods more fully than others. But our doors have always been open. At one time when leadership was needed for the religious school, Semour Singer and Alida Miller came to the rescue. They not only served as teachers but social leaders as well. And they did a marvelous job. Alida is still with our religious school as kindergarten teacher.

I have not mentioned the contributions our past presidents have made to our organization. The list of deeds would be too long. Though each has left his mark and each deserves separate praise. I shall just mention their names: #1.Smith, #2. Elias Patiky, #3. Jacob Patiky, #4.L. Alter, #5. Harry Bernstein, #6. Leo Holland, Wolf Teich, #7. D. Benstock, #B. Sam Kaplan, #9. Sam Clark, #10. Sam Freelander, #11. Harry Spitzer, #12. Sol Goldberg, #13 Henry Cermak, #14. Isadore Clark, #15 Jack Patiky.