Young Couple Opens Massachusetts Town’s First Shul

The Jewish community of North Andover, Massachusetts and several surrounding towns now have their own synagogue.

Rabbi Zalman Borenstein and his wife Mushkie have recently opened the town’s first Jewish community center out of their own home, located on Lincoln Street, called Chabad of North Andover.

Branching off from the community at Chabad of the Merrimack Valley in North Andover, Borenstein hopes to grow the community to include Jews from Middleton and Boxford as well.

“We’re going to eventually get a place to worship,” he said. “We’re going to start slowly. We’re going to do programs based out of our home and rent places for functions. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Mushkie is the daughter of Rabbi Asher Bronstein, the Rabbi of Chabad of Merrimack Valley. Bronstein originally came from Brooklyn in New York City before settling in the Merrimack Valley. Through family friends and connections, his daughter was eventually introduced to Zalman and the two wed thereafter.

Zalman, following his time serving Jewish communities overseas, began seeking a community to lead in America and raise his son Mendel. Bronstein, his father-in-law, suggested the couple establish a new Jewish community just one town away from his own.

“He said in the area there is no Jewish center,” Borenstein said. “There are a whole bunch of people he knows who are not affiliated because they’re not in Andover. This is a very good place to tap into.”

Rabbi Bronstein said he’s excited for Zalman and his daughter to fill the “very big void” for a Jewish center in North Andover.

“It’s time the Jewish community of North Andover itself could host a Jewish center. It’s just great getting two people to carry that very big stone,” he said. “If you build it, they will fill it. Just like when we came 21 years ago (to Andover).”

Borenstein, who identifies as an Orthodox Jew, stressed Chabad of North Andover is open to Jews of all kinds, as well as those curious about the faith, seeking a place to call home.

Although limited in scope at the moment to the Borensteins’ home and backyard, Chabad of North Andover has already begun its outreach through Friday night meals and community events.

Chabad of North Andover celebrated the Jewish holiday of Sukkot on Sept. 22 with “Pizza in the Sukkah,” a day of family-friendly activities and blessings.

Eventual goals, besides a building, will include establishing religious education programs, a friendship circle and Menorah lighting throughout the three towns during Hanukkah.

“Here people are very friendly,” Borenstein said. “We meet Jews in places like the Stop and Shop and they always say hi.”