Wherever there are Jews in need, there are federations and Chabad

Jewish center opens in Clark County

By Toshio Suzuki
Jewish Review





"Wherever there are Jews in need, there are federations and Chabad," said Marshal Spector, vice-president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

That was the general sentiment June 11 in Vancouver, Wash., when Chabad Lubavitch of Clark County held a formal celebration for the opening of the first Jewish center or synagogue in the county's history. Congregation Kol Ami, a Reform congregation in Clark County, meets in rented space.

Even the standing room only crowd of about 75 was not indicative of the event's magnitude. As almost every speaker noted, the addition of this location creates a foundation for the Jewish community in Vancouver that also enhances the entire city's religious and cultural representation.

Said Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard, "Our community is richer now that you have this facility."

"Basically, people are ready to be a part of a Jewish community," said Chabad's Rabbi Shmulik Greenberg, who added that "going to Portland was kind of a schlep" for many in the Clark County Jewry.

Greenberg said he can sense the excitement that simply having a physical place that people can relate to has created.

"I feel like this will start a new level in the community," said Greenberg.

The realization of weekly Shabbat services, adult education classes, family programs and other Jewish events in Clark County materialized faster than Greenberg initially expected. It was only three years ago that he and his wife, Tzivie, moved to Vancouver and started holding Shavuot services in their living room that sometimes got uncomfortably hot. Greenberg said he initially set 10 years as the timeline goal for a Jewish center in Clark County. As the 2,500-square-foot complex in northeast Vancouver would now indicate, it was not nearly fast enough.

"I thought the best way to say thank you is to share the credit," said Tzivie Greenberg to the entire crowd of congregants, donors and supporters.

From Portland came Chabad of Oregon Rabbis Chayim Mishulovin and Moshe Wilhelm to show their support, along with Cantor Aaron Vitells of Shaarie Torah whose keyboard accompanied singing was all a part of the festivities.

After the ceremonial ribbon cutting, Greenberg placed the mezuzah and officially welcomed everyone inside what was at least the second Chabad grand opening on June 11. Greenberg said the other opening occurred earlier that same day in Shanghai, China, under the guidance of his brother, another Rabbi Greenberg.