Jewish Center in Longmont Signs 2-year Lease in time for Rosh Hashanah

LONGMONT, CO — A new year signals a new beginning. And for the local Jewish community, this Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year, which begins Monday at sundown — it’s especially true.

Just in time for the high holy days, the Chabad Jewish Center of Longmont has leased space at 195 S. Main St., making it a public hub for Jews to celebrate and study their faith.

Rabbi Yakov Borenstein started the Chabad Jewish Center two years ago after moving to Longmont from Brooklyn in New York City.

Since then, worship services and education programs have either been offered out of his family’s Longmont home or the center has rented space at hotels and universities for events as needed, Borenstein said.

This 1,200-square-foot suite in the South Main Street building will provide a spiritual home base for local Jews, he added. It includes a foyer, an office, a sanctuary that has a new donated ark (which holds Torah scrolls) and chairs, a kitchen, a bathroom and a children’s room, he said.

The lease, made official Sept. 1, is for two years, Borenstein said. Since then, the center has held Hebrew school for its youths and put mezzuzot — a traditional container of parchment with verses from the Torah — on all the doorways, he added.

The center’s first official worship services will be next week for Rosh Hashanah and the following week for Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, a solemn day of repentance for sins and making amends for the future, Borenstein said.

The rabbi said the center will not require membership fees; he estimated that the center is in contact with about 200 local families.

“This new center opens opportunities for many families who are not traditionally involved with (a synagogue), and they can see whatever is fitting for them.”

He said the new location will hold Hebrew classes, a Mommy and Me group, bar and bat mitzvah classes and weekly adult education classes.

“It’s more like a learning institute,” he said.

Neil Kabrun of Lafayette became involved in the Chabad center last year because he was interested in adult education classes.

“There was nothing in Lafayette and nothing close by,” he said.

He said he believes the building suite will draw in more people.

“This is a tremendous boost to the Jewish community. I think more people will go here knowing there’s a physical place, a more formal place,” Kabrun said. “It’s really an incredible thing. This gives Chabad … an opportunity to go places. This is a start.”