Revamped residence gives Chabad room to continue growing
By Teresa Rochester,
June 8, 2006
When Morris Huberman spotted the vaguely Spanish-style house on Alamo Street in Simi Valley more than a year ago, he knew it would be perfect.
Jokingly, but also in seriousness, Huberman told Rabbi Noson Gurary that the house, with its red-tiled roof, swimming pool and tennis court, would be a fantastic new home for Chabad of Simi Valley.
"The timing wasn't right," Huberman's wife, Janis, said. "Then it went back on the market. It was just meant to be."
A building campaign was launched to purchase the $1.4 million facility that sits on roughly an acre of land. Members of the congregation spent the winter, working long into the night, preparing the 5,000-square-foot building for its new life as Chabad's home. They moved in just in time for Passover this year.
"The community was growing," Gurary said. "It became time to have something permanent and serve the community better, and we found something that serves both."
Chabad is an international Jewish outreach and welfare organization with more than 2,000 branches worldwide. Unlike some synagogues, there is no membership fee, and Chabad is open to Jews of any affiliation and level of religiosity. There are several well-established Chabad branches in the Conejo Valley. Their tremendous growth has spurred hope in the future of Chabad of Simi Valley.
"Chabad of Agoura, they have an academy with several rabbis to teach," Elsie Greenberg said. "That just gives you inspiration to know that you can do those things."
Gurary and his family moved to Simi Valley seven years ago and began Chabad of Simi Valley. Services were held in their home. As the tiny congregation grew, it moved into a rented storefront on Sycamore Drive. Soon the 30 people coming to services grew to more than 100, prompting Chabad members to join in the tradition of renting ballroom space at a local hotel for the high holidays. Now, Gurary said, they will pitch a large tent on the tennis court of the new facility.
Part of the facility serves as home for Gurary, his wife and their six children, who range in age from 8 years to 3 weeks. Often, over the Sabbath, members of the organization stay over because they live far from the Chabad. Many Jews do not use cars, turn lights on or off or wash clothes during the Sabbath.
Simi Valley's Jewish population is growing along with the housing construction boom. Gurary said he frequently gets phone calls from people curious about the Jewish community in the city and whether there is a Chabad.
The Hubermans were one of those couples.
"That was one of the reason I agreed to move to Simi," Janis Huberman said. "I told my husband that if you can find me a Chabad, I'll move. He did ¿ You don't have to be a really, really religious Jew to belong. That's why it's a wonderful place for people with young children to start a foundation."
A large room with burgundy chairs serves as the area for worship. There is also a room for Sunday Hebrew school for children, and a children's library. The new facility is home to a summer day camp, a women's group and counseling services for those in need.
Gurary has plans to launch a day care program, a program for senior citizens and a program, modeled after the successful Friendship Circle program at Chabad of Conejo, that pairs special needs teens with other teenagers.
"After that, the sky is the limit," said Gurary, who came to California from New York.
Chabad of Simi Valley will hold an open house on Sunday, from 2 to 5 p.m. There will be coffee and cake and a chance to learn about Chabad of Simi Valley programs. Chabad is at 4464 Alamo St. For more information, call 577-0573.
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