New Shluchim to Northern California

Rabbi Yisroel Labkowski and his wife, Tzipora, have arrived in Northern California from Brooklyn to establish the Bay Area’s newest Chabad center: Chabad of Lamorinda, which will serve the towns of Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda.

From J-Weekly:

Though they have not yet found a permanent location for their Chabad house, the Labkowskis offered High Holy Day services at the Lafayette Library. “It was a last-minute thing, but it was really nice. We had about 10-15 people the first day [of Rosh Hashanah],” Labkowski said.

The Labkowskis and their 1-year-old son, Menachem Mendel, arrived in the Bay Area last month. For now, they have rented a house in Lafayette, though they are still “looking for something a little bigger and more permanent,” the rabbi said. “Part of [the rented house] is set up already basically for a Chabad house, with a big room where we’re planning on making services there every Shabbat.”

They also plan to have a sukkah at the house and invite people for Sukkot meals. As for other programs going forward, they want to get to know the needs of the community.

“We’re open to all,” Labkowski said. “There’s no commitment at all; people can come for a dinner or a Shabbat service or just to hang out. We accept any Jew of any kind of background.”

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