New Center for Jewish Life Links Past and Future, With Launch of Reconstruction Effort at General Wayne Inn

New Center for Jewish Life Links Past and Future, With Launch of Reconstruction Effort at General Wayne Inn
Tuesday August 23, 12:35 pm ET


MERION, Pa., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Philadelphia's Main Line may never be the same. On Wednesday, Sept. 7, a seismic shift will take place in Merion as 5000 years of Jewish tradition meet 300 years of American history, creating a new cultural crossroad on the site of a Revolutionary War-era landmark, and linking past to future in a whole new way. At a ceremonial groundbreaking scheduled for 11:00 AM at the site, Chabad Lubavitch of the Main Line, headed by Rabbi Shraga Sherman, will take its first tangible step in the move from its current Bala Cynwyd location to its future home, as it launches the reconstruction of the new Center for Jewish Life at the General Wayne Inn, slated to open in spring 2006 as a combination community center, high-end kosher restaurant and synagogue.
Steeped in a culture of tradition and history, a commitment to education and a dynamic, out-of-the-box ethos, Sherman is mindful of the historic significance of the landmark, and committed to honoring that import by maintaining and restoring as much of the original structure as possible, while creating an innovative, vibrant community resource for today - and tomorrow. "The Jewish tradition puts a great deal of emphasis on heritage, history and relevancy," stated Sherman. "We cannot think of a better location to "showcase" and present a tradition immersed in the past, yet still incredibly prescient, and we want to make the 300-year history of the General Wayne Inn, and by extension the history of America, come alive with real sense of meaning for all who cross its threshold."

As part of the commitment to preserve the historic integrity of the building, plans include maintaining the exterior shell, as well as the original second story balcony with a barrel-shaped ceiling. The interior will be refurbished to meet current codes as well as creating comfortable spaces for the restaurant and center on the ground floor, classrooms, meeting rooms and a preschool playgroup on the second floor and offices on the third, while also maintaining as many original structural and design elements as possible. In fact, the massive stone fireplace that once dominated the ground floor of the original tavern and subsequent restaurants, will be given a position of honor as the holy ark that will hold the synagogue's Torah Scrolls.

With a total estimated cost of $1.5 million, Sherman has launched a $1 million capital campaign to underwrite the project's expenses, of which $700,000 has already been committed by area supporters.

Not just another synagogue, The Chabad Center for Jewish Life is an educational, social and religious organization dedicated to creating and strengthening Jewish experience for everyone, regardless of affiliation. Chabad Lubavitch is the world's largest and fastest growing network of Jewish educational centers numbering more than 2,500. Based on the Lubavitch movement of Jewish religious philosophy that teaches the importance of governing action and feeling through wisdom, comprehension and knowledge, and living life one mitzvah, or good deed, at a time, Chabad of the Main Line has emerged in only three years as one of this area's most dynamic and vibrant innovative Jewish family centers with the Mitzvah Factory. Through a wide range of programs, hundreds of Jews of all ages and backgrounds are experiencing first-hand the sincerity and warmth that are the hallmarks of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. In a fascinating local coincidence, the word "Lubavitch" -- the name of the town in White Russia where the movement was based for more than a century -- means "city of brotherly love."

As the Jewish community throughout the Main Line continues to grow, Sherman - a Wharton grad who has made his mark advancing traditional values in a very contemporary, untraditional way -- is adamant about creating an environment that will make it a resource for the entire community -- providing a library and media center, parenting center, adult education classes, seminars, special events, rental space for weddings, celebrations and more, for families, children and neighborhood residents alike.

"Our mission is to create a warm and comfortable destination," said Sherman, "where people will feel at home to not only explore their Jewish roots and celebrate their heritage with programs and activities that are meaningful through all stages of life, but to have the center be a gathering place for topical discussion, activities, and of course, great food."

The concept of such a destination has established precedent within the General Wayne Inn's history. Built in 1709 (or 1704 as some experts say) for Robert Jones, a member of the Provincial Assembly and justice of the peace, the property known as the oldest tavern in continuous operation in America, first called the Tunis Ordinary (bequeathed to Jones's grandson in 1746, he then rented it to Anthony Tunis, who was the first to operate an "Ordinary," serving meals at a fixed price) became a colonial crossroads tavern, gaining military significance as a regular stop for both British and colonial patriots between Philadelphia and Lancaster, and in 1777 when Washington's Valley Forge troops skirmished with British and Hessian soldiers occupying the Inn. In 1775 it was bought and enlarged by Abraham Streaper, and possibly named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne after his 1779 triumph at Stony Point, NY. In 1795, Streaper's daughter Mary inherited the property, renamed Yerkes after her marriage to Titus Yerkes. Designated the district's polling place in 1806 and as a post office in 1850 (for 32 years), it was sold by Yerkes' daughter to David Young in 1854 for $13,500, then to James Baird in 1883 and Edward O'Dell in 1897. In a 1936 sheriff's sale it came to I. Newton Smith who ultimately sold it to the legendary landlord for many years, Bart Johnson.

Now, three centuries later, after a high-profile murder and a series of financial failures that left the property empty and falling into severe disrepair, the leaders of Chabad of the Main Line are determined to restore, preserve and utilize this landmark as the active and vibrant community center it started out as 300 years ago -- offering programming throughout the year that will also appeal to the entire Main Line community with lectures and presentations on matters of Lower Merion history, historic preservation and general community events.

"The history that has transpired within these four walls carries with it messages that are still relevant today," Sherman said, "the messages of religious freedom and tolerance, goodness and kindness and the historic tradition of this spot being a place of congregation and public openness."

The ceremonial groundbreaking to launch the reconstruction project for the new Chabad Center for Jewish Life at the General Wayne Inn, 625 Montgomery Avenue, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7 at 11:00 AM, and is open to the public. Special guests including Chabad supporters and local and regional public officials and VIPs are expected.

For more information on Chabad of the Main Line, and the new Center for Jewish Life at the General Wayne Inn, please call 610.660.9192 or visit http://www.ChabadMainLine.org. For more information on the Chabad Lubavitch movement, please visit http://www.chabad.org/generic.asp?AID=36226.

Source: Chabad of the Main Line