Rhinebeck Jewish Center Aims to Reach Out

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — With the Jewish high holidays at hand, Northern Dutchess County now has a place of worship and education. Chabad Jewish Center of Dutchess County, in Rhinebeck, opens its doors to all walks of life for Rosh Hashana, which begins at sundown today.

Rabbi Hanoch Hecht, co-founder of the center, said the establishment of a Jewish Center in Rhinebeck came from a void of Jewish education and worship opportunities in Northern Dutchess County.

“We want to connect Jewish people to their heritage,” Hecht said. “We don’t have one specific goal, but we want to give Jewish life a presence here in Dutchess County.”

Hecht said he and his wife, Tzivie, began the center for the Jew who has not explored his faith.

“We’re here for the Jew that is forgotten about,” he said. “We care about the ones that don’t feel they belong.”

Hecht said he and his wife are willing to cater to the Jewish community. They plan to provide a variety of programs to those interested in expanding their knowledge of Jewish culture and tradition.

“Many adults are Jewish, know they are Jewish and want to learn about it,” Tzivie Hecht said. “We’ll have everything from classes to koshering homes. There are services we can offer in addition to what a regular temple could offer.”

Tzivie Hecht said as new homeowners and busy parents to a newborn, Menachem, she and her husband are concentrating on the here and now of the center, but they also have long-term expectations.

“Our long-term goal is that we want people to come and participate,” she said. “In long, long terms, we hope to meet the needs of the community.”

Tzivie Hecht said she most looks forward to getting to know the community.

“I love having people as guests in my home,” she said. “I love to cook and bake and I love Chabad dinner. It’s a great time for people to get together. My aim is to dirty every dish in this house.”

Sharon Greenberg, fellow Rhinebeck resident and longtime friend of the Hechts, said she is excited about the new center.

“They are a fantastic couple that is very enthusiastic, open, intelligent and kind,” she said. “It (the center) is such a worthwhile thing. Here in Northern Dutchess, it’s such a welcome addition. The cultural and religious diversity could only add to the amazing town that Rhinebeck is.”

Love everyone

Hanoch Hecht said he plans to follow the ideals of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement from centuries ago in running and maintaining the center.

“The philosophy (of the movement) is to love even the simple people in life,” he said. “We’re open to everyone and we’re here for everybody … our doors are always open.”

Greenberg said the center has been fantastic thus far.

“The more you’re educated and the more you get to know people, it makes the world a better place,” she said. “The proof is in the kugel.”