New Chabad Representatives Reach Out Across California

LOS ANGELES, CA –The rapid growth of Chabad of California is continuing, highlighted by the addition of two new community centers in different parts of the state. Both Northern California’s

Napa Valley and Southern California’s West Hills area now host local Chabad Centers that will extend the reach of the organization’s educational and social services.

Rabbi and Mrs. Elchonon Tenenbaum have recently been appointed to serve in Napa Valley, and Rabbi and Mrs. Avi Rabin are already working in West Hills, located in the S. Fernando Valley. While these communities have their outward differences, both rabbis agree that the best way to approach their new assignments is to reach out and connect with residents one at a time.

“The opening of new centers in these two communities is a logical step,” said Rabbi Boruch S. Cunin, director of Chabad of California. “Each is home to a Jewish population that, in its own way, is searching for its next level of growth. And now each has an energetic, young Chabad rabbi and rebbetsin committed to their learning about local needs and fulfilling them.”

“The most important aspect of serving a community is taking the time to understand each person’s needs as an individual,” said Rabbi Tenenbaum, a Brooklyn native who’ll soon take residence in Napa’s wine country with his wife, Chanie. “When you understand someone’s personal experiences and viewpoints, it makes relating to them in a meaningful way very natural.”

Rabbi Avi Rabin, who’s originally from South Africa, has experienced that firsthand during his early days in West Hills. “Never underestimate the impact of giving a minute of your time to another person,” said Rabin, who makes a point of personally greeting everyone who walks into his Chabad Center. “I’ve had people tell me that they’ve never been greeted by their rabbi before. They feel so touched to have a conversation with a rabbi that it really gives the relationship a new life and vitality.”

Working from a storefront location at 23747 Roscoe Boulevard in West Hills, Rabbi Rabin and his wife, Dena, serve under the guidance of Rabbi Joshua Gordon, the Executive Director of Chabad of the Valley. The young couple’s first official activities coincided with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot — and since then, community interest in Chabad of West Hills has been steadily growing.

West Hills resident Gil Weinrich noted that Chabad has had a particularly strong attraction for unaffiliated Jewish families. “Chabad has a way of transcending the denomination barrier and drawing from a broad spectrum of people,” Weinrich said. “I think that when there’s no pressure of buying a membership or making long-term commitments, there are many families that feel comfortable enough try it out. It’s just warm and open to whoever wants to join in.”

“I thought that he’d try to make me become religious, but he really just tries to meet everyone on their own level,” said Lee Carter of his first visit with Rabbi Rabin. “He’s genuinely interested in what we think. He’ll call once or twice during the week just to see how we’re doing. He feels a responsibility toward us.”

There has also been a very strong response from teens, a demographic group that’s often hard to reach. “He’s very easy to relate to,” said Aaron Wold, 18, of Rabbi Rabin. “He’s very laid-back and open. I’ve brought in a lot of my friends, and everyone really enjoys him; they feel like they’re a part of things.”

Rabbi Tenenbaum looks to achieve similar results when he and his family relocate to Napa from Brooklyn. They will begin their activities to coincide with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. “We’ll start the year off on a very positive note,” said Rabbi Tenenbaum. “The holiday has the quality of setting the pace for the year ahead, and we’re looking forward to bringing that to bear in our new home.”

Judy Albeits, a Napa resident who grew up near Indianapolis, expressed great enthusiasm about the Tenenbaums’ impending arrival. “I grew up with a lot of misconceptions about religious Jews,” she said, “But I’ve really found Chabad to be very warm and welcoming. I think they’ll add a lot to the community.”

Similarly, longtime Napa resident Betsy Strauss said: “I think the Tenenbaums will adapt very well to our community. They’ll bring a new means of connecting with our Jewish heritage, which will be a nice alternative.”

“The priority will be to spend a lot of personal time with the locals, to really assess the expectations of each individual,” said Rabbi Tenenbaum. “It’s going to be more important to listen than to speak,” he said. “It’s one thing to come with a plan in hand, it’s another to really recognize everyone’s needs and concerns and try to answer them.”