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Thursday, September 15, 2005

Chabad celebrates grand opening



Chabad celebrates grand opening

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

By Forrest Sellers Staff Reporter

BLUE ASH - What started as a meal for friends in Rabbi Yisroel Mangel's home has grown into a center for Jewish study.
The Chabad Jewish Center will have its grand opening starting at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at 3977 Hunt Road. The event will include a building dedication and festival.

Mangel said Chabad had its origins at he and his wife's Hunters Creek apartment, where they would regularly invite guests over for a Shabbat meal.

About a month later, a building was bought on Kenwood Road to provide outreach programs to Jewish residents.

It culminated with the construction of a new facility on Hunt Road last year.

However, Mangel doesn't look at this as the end of a journey, but a new beginning.

"There is a sense of pride and accomplishment," Mangel said.

Mangel said the new facility has provided much needed space.

"Not only have the number of programs doubled, but participation has doubled as well," he said.

The Kenwood location had 20 students. The new facility, which is about 13,000 square feet, has about 60 students.

Although the $2.4 million facility has been in operation since last September, it has just recently been fully completed.

"It's a dream come true," Mangel said.

The Chabad Center provides educational outreach to both children and adults. It offers a wide variety of programs focusing on Jewish study.

Mangel said the Sept. 11 opening will be a family event.

"It'll be more than just a ribbon cutting under a tent," he said.

The event will include rides, booths, music and entertainment for children.

For information, call 793-5200 or visit the Web site www.ChabadCenterBA.com.

fsellers@communitypress.com

248-7680