Article published Aug 25, 2005
RELIGION
Jewish congregation celebrates its first year
By JANEL STEPHENSEAST MANATEE -- The area's only Jewish congregation already is counting major success in its first year.Chabad Lubavitch of Bradenton now has a Hebrew school for children, meets at Braden River Middle School and plans to build a synagogue.The congregation celebrated its first anniversary Friday with a Shabbat family service and a Kiddush dinner at the school. A crowd of more than 85 attended the event."It was a wonderful, joyous occasion where people showed their excitement and enthusiasm and are looking forward to many more years," Rabbi Mendy Bukiet said.Chabad is a 250-year-old movement of Orthodox Judaism that rigorously adheres to the Torah and tradition. It follows the teachings of seven "Rebbes," or leaders, the last of whom, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, established the outreach arm of the movement to help Jews learn about traditional Judaism.Bukiet and his wife, Chanie, started Chabad of Bradenton out of their Lakewood Ranch home last August. Since then, the couple and their congregation have sponsored a variety of festivities, such as Hanukkah and Purim, the latter a first in Lakewood Ranch. The holiday, considered by some as a Jewish Halloween, attracted families from Sarasota and Manatee counties. Attendees came dressed in cowboy hats and plaid shirts to go along with the event's country theme.To celebrate Hanukkah, the congregation spearheaded the display of a 9-foot menorah at Prime Outlets mall in Ellenton. It was the first known public display of the menorah in Manatee County."We are overjoyed and very happy with the success," Bukiet, 28, said. "We didn't expect the enthusiasm like we received. The people are very welcoming."The Bukiets consider the two events a "major success," but find gratification in lower-profile activities such as teaching families how to create a Kosher kitchen or visiting the sick. The couple has extended their ministry to prisons and hospitals."We're trying to touch the community in any way possible" Bukiet said.He moved to Lakewood Ranch with his wife and two sons, 3-year-old Chaim Meir and 1-year-old Mordechai, last year to establish a Chabad Lubavitch center for the area's growing Jewish population.Bukiet estimated that there may be more than 2,000 to 4,000 Jews living in Manatee County today, doubling in size within the past six years.He said the overwhelming growth east of Interstate 75 is what attracted them to this region. Other Jewish congregations from Sarasota and Bradenton also have offered programs in East Manatee to better serve a community that has no temple.Bukiet said he's focused on growing Chabad's membership and looking for a permanent location. He also wants to start educational classes for adults."I think there is a certain community feeling within the Jewish people here that there is a center that we can get together," he said. "People are proud now that there is a Jewish organization on the east."
RELIGION
Jewish congregation celebrates its first year
By JANEL STEPHENSEAST MANATEE -- The area's only Jewish congregation already is counting major success in its first year.Chabad Lubavitch of Bradenton now has a Hebrew school for children, meets at Braden River Middle School and plans to build a synagogue.The congregation celebrated its first anniversary Friday with a Shabbat family service and a Kiddush dinner at the school. A crowd of more than 85 attended the event."It was a wonderful, joyous occasion where people showed their excitement and enthusiasm and are looking forward to many more years," Rabbi Mendy Bukiet said.Chabad is a 250-year-old movement of Orthodox Judaism that rigorously adheres to the Torah and tradition. It follows the teachings of seven "Rebbes," or leaders, the last of whom, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, established the outreach arm of the movement to help Jews learn about traditional Judaism.Bukiet and his wife, Chanie, started Chabad of Bradenton out of their Lakewood Ranch home last August. Since then, the couple and their congregation have sponsored a variety of festivities, such as Hanukkah and Purim, the latter a first in Lakewood Ranch. The holiday, considered by some as a Jewish Halloween, attracted families from Sarasota and Manatee counties. Attendees came dressed in cowboy hats and plaid shirts to go along with the event's country theme.To celebrate Hanukkah, the congregation spearheaded the display of a 9-foot menorah at Prime Outlets mall in Ellenton. It was the first known public display of the menorah in Manatee County."We are overjoyed and very happy with the success," Bukiet, 28, said. "We didn't expect the enthusiasm like we received. The people are very welcoming."The Bukiets consider the two events a "major success," but find gratification in lower-profile activities such as teaching families how to create a Kosher kitchen or visiting the sick. The couple has extended their ministry to prisons and hospitals."We're trying to touch the community in any way possible" Bukiet said.He moved to Lakewood Ranch with his wife and two sons, 3-year-old Chaim Meir and 1-year-old Mordechai, last year to establish a Chabad Lubavitch center for the area's growing Jewish population.Bukiet estimated that there may be more than 2,000 to 4,000 Jews living in Manatee County today, doubling in size within the past six years.He said the overwhelming growth east of Interstate 75 is what attracted them to this region. Other Jewish congregations from Sarasota and Bradenton also have offered programs in East Manatee to better serve a community that has no temple.Bukiet said he's focused on growing Chabad's membership and looking for a permanent location. He also wants to start educational classes for adults."I think there is a certain community feeling within the Jewish people here that there is a center that we can get together," he said. "People are proud now that there is a Jewish organization on the east."
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