Rabbi Yossi Eber and his wife, Dina, with Chabad Jewish Center of West Pasco hosted their official grand opening and mezuza affixing ceremony this week.
A mezuza is a small, sacred parchment inscribed by hand with two Hebrew prayers. The tradition of hanging a mezuza (Hebrew for "doorpost") has its roots in the Bible. The last plague visited upon the Egyptians was the death of the firstborn; God told the Jews to sprinkle the blood of a sacrificial lamb on their doorposts so the angel of death would pass over their homes.
About 60 people attended the ceremony Tuesday as Eber affixed the mezuza to Chabad Jewish Center of West Pasco, at 9945 Trinity Blvd., Suite 5.
As a free service, Eber visits people's homes and offices in Trinity, Holiday, New Port Richey and surrounding areas to help them properly affix their mezuzas. There should be one on the front door, as well as any other doorways in the home or office, he said.
On another level, the mezuza provides protection and good spiritual energy and keeps the bad energy out, Eber said.
Every time you go out or come in, it's customary to touch the mezuza and kiss your hand. On the outside of the case are the Hebrew letters Shin, Dalet, Yud, an acronym meaning "The Guardian of the doors of Israel."
There is some misconception about mezuzas, even among Jewish people. The case can't be empty or contain a photo copy of the prayers, which is how most local synagogue gift shops and Web sites sell them. An original piece of mezuza parchment can cost between $30 and $150 or more.
"The important part is not the case, it's the original piece of parchment written by a scribe," Eber said.
Otherwise, "it's like a body without a soul."
Showing posts with label synagogue Grand Opening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label synagogue Grand Opening. Show all posts
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Pool an attraction of new Chabad
By CANDICE HANNIGAN
For The Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/26/08
Jewish residents in north metro Atlanta will celebrate the grand opening of a community center built by Chabad of Alpharetta to accommodate a growing children's program. The new facility will feature a swimming pool, a "kiddie" pool with water play area, a sports field and a Mikvah, a ritual pool.
"The emphasis is on the children. That's really our big draw," said Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz, Chabad's director. Camp Gan Israel, a summer day camp, will extensively use the new facility.
The upscale touches of the Mikvah include a spa-like environment, heated floor tiles and a high-tech filtration system.
"We teach Jewish traditions at each individual's level," the rabbi said of the Mikvah. "We try to make the richness of our heritage easily available and in a respectable way."
The event is set for noon on Sunday. Recently, Minkowicz responded to questions about the new facility and the Chabad organization.
Q. What should a visitor know about Chabad of Alpharetta?
A. Chabad is unique in that our aim is to reach all Jews regardless of their religious background or affiliation and help enrich their Jewish experience. We offer many educational opportunities for people in addition to synagogue services, so someone may attend another synagogue and come to us for an adult education class or for a holiday enrichment program for their children. One does not need to be a member to participate in Chabad programs.
Q. What is your most effective ministry or outreach program?
A. For the adults, our most effective outreach is education. We offer many classes on all levels for Jews to advance their knowledge. For the children, our summer camp has been the most effective. Last year we had 225 children.
Q. Is there something unique or unusual about Chabad of Alpharetta?
A. We have a Web site, www.shulwithpool.com, because we are a synagogue center that has a swimming pool. Our Chabad center is unique in that we have a wonderful blend of programming and services for Jews of all ages and levels of affiliation.
Q.What does the future hold for Chabad of Alpharetta?
A. Great things are in store. We expect to continue growing all our youth-related programs and the adult education offerings. And ... one day very soon we will have a new big educational center where we can continue serving the community in the best possible way.
For The Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/26/08
Jewish residents in north metro Atlanta will celebrate the grand opening of a community center built by Chabad of Alpharetta to accommodate a growing children's program. The new facility will feature a swimming pool, a "kiddie" pool with water play area, a sports field and a Mikvah, a ritual pool.
"The emphasis is on the children. That's really our big draw," said Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz, Chabad's director. Camp Gan Israel, a summer day camp, will extensively use the new facility.
The upscale touches of the Mikvah include a spa-like environment, heated floor tiles and a high-tech filtration system.
"We teach Jewish traditions at each individual's level," the rabbi said of the Mikvah. "We try to make the richness of our heritage easily available and in a respectable way."
The event is set for noon on Sunday. Recently, Minkowicz responded to questions about the new facility and the Chabad organization.
Q. What should a visitor know about Chabad of Alpharetta?
A. Chabad is unique in that our aim is to reach all Jews regardless of their religious background or affiliation and help enrich their Jewish experience. We offer many educational opportunities for people in addition to synagogue services, so someone may attend another synagogue and come to us for an adult education class or for a holiday enrichment program for their children. One does not need to be a member to participate in Chabad programs.
Q. What is your most effective ministry or outreach program?
A. For the adults, our most effective outreach is education. We offer many classes on all levels for Jews to advance their knowledge. For the children, our summer camp has been the most effective. Last year we had 225 children.
Q. Is there something unique or unusual about Chabad of Alpharetta?
A. We have a Web site, www.shulwithpool.com, because we are a synagogue center that has a swimming pool. Our Chabad center is unique in that we have a wonderful blend of programming and services for Jews of all ages and levels of affiliation.
Q.What does the future hold for Chabad of Alpharetta?
A. Great things are in store. We expect to continue growing all our youth-related programs and the adult education offerings. And ... one day very soon we will have a new big educational center where we can continue serving the community in the best possible way.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Lubavitch Debuts Its Hub With a Flourish
February 08, 2007 - Rachel Silverman
It's been seven years of real estate shopping, zoning-board hearings, fundraising and construction, but Lubavitch of the Main Line finally has a new home -- at one of the oldest spots in town.
The General Wayne Inn, which once served as a pub for British redcoats and later as a post office founded by Benjamin Franklin, will now play host to a bevy of Jewish activities.
Speaking at a lavish opening ceremony on Jan. 31, Rabbi Shraga Sherman, director of Lubavitch of the Main Line, called the refurbished space "a tremendous nexus of this three-millennia-history of the Jews and the 300-year-history of the building."
An old stone fireplace, for example, now houses an ark and two Torah scrolls, and portraits of Franklin flank the entrance to the property's on-site kosher restaurant.
Other additions to the building, which dates back to 1704, include a large multipurpose room for services and B'nai Mitzvah, Hebrew and preschool classes, administrative offices, as well as up-to-date electrical, sprinkler and fire-safety systems.
Sherman said that the inn gives Lubavitch much more visibility -- and physical space -- than its old Bala Cynwyd hub.
"We used to have to rent off-site locations for holiday celebrations and services," Sherman said of that office, known as the Mitzvah Factory. "As more and more people attended, and the array of programming expanded, we knew we needed more space."
However, the search for a vacancy in the primarily residential and heavily developed Main Line proved challenging. That's why when the storied General Wayne Inn went on the market in 2003, three individuals involved with Lubavitch -- Morris Willner, Gary Erlbaum and Steven Erlbaum -- immediately placed a bid on it.
After obtaining the property, Lubavitch spent two years getting the necessary zoning, and working out parking and traffic arrangements with Lower Merion Township. Construction, under the leadership of general contractor Core Management, took another year -- and $1 million -- to complete, said Sherman.
Though some elements of the building remain unfinished -- Sherman said that they are still searching for a vender for the kosher restaurant and to stock the gift shop with Judaica -- most Lubavitch programs have been up and running at the inn since the summer.
The grand-opening event -- which was attended by nearly 400 guests, and included abundant food trays and a musical performance -- was a public celebration. Sherman noted that the occasion allowed Lubavitch to thank various supporters and to announce its presence in the neighborhood.
Many who attended, like Lubavitch of Main Line education director Tsipy Weiss, practically gushed about the new building.
"It validates us a little bit," said the 29-year-old, who heads the preschool and Hebrew-school programs. "When you're in a [dumpy] little building, people are going to take you like that. Now, we're bigger; we're able to offer a lot more classes. We already have more people enrolled."
More importantly, perhaps, the facility provides a new home for the organization's message.
Rabbi Moshe Brennan, who also acts as programming director of the Lubavitch chapter, said that message is about "exposing Jewish people to their Judaism," regardless of their synagogue and denominational affiliations.
He said that the center will continue to offer classes on the Torah and Kabbalah, but that it's expanded to include topics like mystical ethics and the Hebrew language. He stressed that Lubavitch is making a concerted effort to reach all demographics -- children, women, families -- with classes like the new "Mommy & Me," women's fitness and challah-baking.
The Lubavitch approach to outreach resonated with Wynnewood resident Eunice Miller, who said that she recently signed up for a seminar on growth and development.
"You feel comfortable walking through this door," said Miller, a member of Congregation Beth Hamedrosh in Overbrook Park. "It doesn't require any religious commitment; it's not threatening in any way."
It's been seven years of real estate shopping, zoning-board hearings, fundraising and construction, but Lubavitch of the Main Line finally has a new home -- at one of the oldest spots in town.
The General Wayne Inn, which once served as a pub for British redcoats and later as a post office founded by Benjamin Franklin, will now play host to a bevy of Jewish activities.
Speaking at a lavish opening ceremony on Jan. 31, Rabbi Shraga Sherman, director of Lubavitch of the Main Line, called the refurbished space "a tremendous nexus of this three-millennia-history of the Jews and the 300-year-history of the building."
An old stone fireplace, for example, now houses an ark and two Torah scrolls, and portraits of Franklin flank the entrance to the property's on-site kosher restaurant.
Other additions to the building, which dates back to 1704, include a large multipurpose room for services and B'nai Mitzvah, Hebrew and preschool classes, administrative offices, as well as up-to-date electrical, sprinkler and fire-safety systems.
Sherman said that the inn gives Lubavitch much more visibility -- and physical space -- than its old Bala Cynwyd hub.
"We used to have to rent off-site locations for holiday celebrations and services," Sherman said of that office, known as the Mitzvah Factory. "As more and more people attended, and the array of programming expanded, we knew we needed more space."
However, the search for a vacancy in the primarily residential and heavily developed Main Line proved challenging. That's why when the storied General Wayne Inn went on the market in 2003, three individuals involved with Lubavitch -- Morris Willner, Gary Erlbaum and Steven Erlbaum -- immediately placed a bid on it.
After obtaining the property, Lubavitch spent two years getting the necessary zoning, and working out parking and traffic arrangements with Lower Merion Township. Construction, under the leadership of general contractor Core Management, took another year -- and $1 million -- to complete, said Sherman.
Though some elements of the building remain unfinished -- Sherman said that they are still searching for a vender for the kosher restaurant and to stock the gift shop with Judaica -- most Lubavitch programs have been up and running at the inn since the summer.
The grand-opening event -- which was attended by nearly 400 guests, and included abundant food trays and a musical performance -- was a public celebration. Sherman noted that the occasion allowed Lubavitch to thank various supporters and to announce its presence in the neighborhood.
Many who attended, like Lubavitch of Main Line education director Tsipy Weiss, practically gushed about the new building.
"It validates us a little bit," said the 29-year-old, who heads the preschool and Hebrew-school programs. "When you're in a [dumpy] little building, people are going to take you like that. Now, we're bigger; we're able to offer a lot more classes. We already have more people enrolled."
More importantly, perhaps, the facility provides a new home for the organization's message.
Rabbi Moshe Brennan, who also acts as programming director of the Lubavitch chapter, said that message is about "exposing Jewish people to their Judaism," regardless of their synagogue and denominational affiliations.
He said that the center will continue to offer classes on the Torah and Kabbalah, but that it's expanded to include topics like mystical ethics and the Hebrew language. He stressed that Lubavitch is making a concerted effort to reach all demographics -- children, women, families -- with classes like the new "Mommy & Me," women's fitness and challah-baking.
The Lubavitch approach to outreach resonated with Wynnewood resident Eunice Miller, who said that she recently signed up for a seminar on growth and development.
"You feel comfortable walking through this door," said Miller, a member of Congregation Beth Hamedrosh in Overbrook Park. "It doesn't require any religious commitment; it's not threatening in any way."
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