F.R.E.E. HQ - Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe
My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your children, nor from the mouth of your children’s children…”
About Us
About UsFriends of Refugees of Eastern Europe (FREE) was founded in 1969 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. SMission StatementCong. Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe is an international non-profit organization founded in 1969 by theF.R.E.E. Headquarters, Brooklyn, NYFounded in 1969 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. SchneersonHistoryAfter the First World War and the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, Eastern European Jewish communities plunged into 
AccomplishmentsThree decades is not much time in the context of Jewish history. Yet during the three short decades of FREE’s In The MediaFrom its inception, FREE’s projects have continuously attracted national media attention. In line with its fou
The First Sukkah MobileHistoric Photo section provides telling images that capture important “firsts” in the history of Friends of RePrograms & Services
Programs & ServicesIn response to FREE’s mandate of assisting Eastern European refugees and immigrants, in all aspects of their sEducationThese words of the prophet capture one of the most fundamental and important elements of Judaism, education. C
Assistance Locating Homes and Apartments:Providing friendship and assistance is central to the mission of Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe (F.R.E.
PhoneJudaism is a religion of action. Under the best circumstances, the mitzvah of Bris Milah is the first action p
Bar Mitzvah ProgramWith the initial wrapping of tefillin, a Bar Mitzvah binds himself to the ancient covenant between G-d and the
Youth ClubsJewish children of all levels are vulnerable to the pervasive assimilative forces of television, media, and th
Summer CampsThe summer vacation from school is a critical time in youth development. The time can be blessed with growing,
Jewish MarriagesJudaism teaches that marriage is a mitzvah, a Divine connection or commandment, established by G-d at the time
F.R.E.E. Publishing HouseIn the struggle to reclaim history, culture, and religion, a major obstacle is the inability to access authent
Holiday Awareness CampaignDuring the oppressive regimes of the Soviet Union, Russian Jews were denied access to the richness and beauty 
Anti-Missionary CampaignChristianity has an existential problem. It claims to replace Judaism and the Jewish people as G-D’s chosen veRussian SynagoguesYears of Soviet religious oppression has left many Russian Jews unfamiliar and uncomfortable walking into a sy
WHAT IS KADDISH?Kaddish is commonly referred to as the “Mourner’s Prayer” as it is recited for the deceased. See a complete teAlso on their site
A 28th Commemoration: The Murder of Rabbi Dovid Okunov Leads to the EsBrooklyn, NY—October 16th marked the 28th yahrzeit of Rabbi Dovid Okunov , who was brutally gunned down at theMore PostsBROOKLYN, NY — Wednesday, March 01, 2006 by Ray Kestenbaum
More PostsClick here to see a photo gallery of the event
More PostsThe following is an article reported by Tara Bahrampour. It appeared on the front page of the New York Times M
More PostsA Russian-English language Jewish calendar depicting the grandiosity of Jewish life through symbolic art was d
More PostsBROOKLYN, NY – January 21, 2009 by Mordechai Lightstone
More PostsBROOKLYN, NY — Wednesday, March 01, 2006 by Ray Kestenbaum
More PostsAmong the hundreds of monuments that form the stark and moving Sheepshead Bay Holocaust Memorial – monuments b
EducationMy words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your children,
The Shabbat CandlesLighting of the Sabbath candles formally ushers in the Sabbath for the members of the household.
More PostsAn Evening of Alumni Reunion & Friendship
More PostsWhen we think of a bris ceremony, most of us envision a pink-hued baby boy laying on a satin pillow and a syna
More PostsIt was the Chanukah of 2003 that M-Generation Boys Choir debuted on stage in Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach, in Ber
More PostsThe Russian-Jewish community of Brighton Beach and environs took part and enjoyed four Channuka events at FREE
More PostsCincinnati, OH — Fourteen-year old Aaron T. recalls with pain the hardships he went through in a Ukrainian for
More PostsRabbi Hershel Okunov, Director FREE of Brighton Beach, commented with astonishment about the Music Without Bor
More PostsBROOKLYN, NY — Wednesday, March 01, 2006 by Ray KestenbaumMore PostsFREE’s circumcision program recently set a record: 82-year-old Alexander Getzberg is the oldest person ever toMore PostsMazel Day Care, a preschool at the FREE Center of Brighton Beach, has recently completed its construction on nMore PostsAmerican-Russian Jewish leadership and FREE officers are very proud by what they see developing in the second More PostsMegillat Esther now published in its ninth edition and revisedMore PostsOver three thousand demonstrators recently converged on Brighton Beach Avenue in Brooklyn to show support of IMore PostsHundreds gathered at a gala procession to escort the newly completed Sefer Torah scroll which will be used forMore PostsKingston, New York State Twenty-five Jewish boys had the time of their lives here during this year’s Chanukah More PostsThousands of Russian immigrants participated in a memorial gathering marking the 23rd of the Hebrew month ElulMore PostsEight Russian boys from the former Soviet Union, were treated to a splendid bar mitzvah celebration recently. More PostsFREE’s long-running annual Chanukah concert occurred on December 1, 2002 at the Millenium Theater, the largestMore PostsFrom L to R: Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson; Olympic Swimmer, Lenny Kreytzelburg; Boxing Champion, Dmitri Salita; Pol
FREE HeadquartersIn an effort to rectify the fact that so many Russian Jews were denied access to the richness of a Jewish educMore PostsRabbi Hersh Okonov, Vice President of Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe, and Mr. Isaac Lieberman of F.R.E.More PostsOver 500 Russian Jews gathered at the FREE Center of Brighton Beach to meet with Rabbi Berel Lazar, Chief RabbMore PostsNovoye Russkoye Slovo, America’s largest Russian-language newspaper, recently completed its first year featuriHaChnasas Sifrei Torah Ceremony of two restored Torah scrolls from theThe celebration will begin at the foot of the Menorah on Brighton Beach Avenue near Washington Mutual Bank buiElementary & High SchoolThe FREE schools combine an excellent Jewish education with a strong background in secular fields of study. FRPre SchoolFREE operates the “Mazel Day Care Center,” a full-day early childhood care center that offers a warm and enricMore PostsThe FREE Publishing House has launched a Russian-language website dedicated to servicing the Russian Jewish imMore PostsA Russian-English language Jewish calendar that vividly portrays hassidic life in America and Russia was publi
Thank YouCelebrating F.R.E.E.’s 85th Circumcision at the Grand Ballroom of the Brooklyn Jewish Center, at 667 Eastern PAfter School ProgramThe program runs from 3:00-6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The success of the program is due to the profes
Thank YouOctober 1972, FREE’s Holiday Awareness Campaign introduced the first Sukkah Mobil, by building a large 20 foot