Chabad House Celebrates 1st Anniversary

MOORPARK, CA — Chabad of Moorpark, a synagogue and social center serving the needs of the Jewish community in Moorpark, will be celebrating their one year anniversary in the city of Moorpark. The milestone will coincide with the upcoming holiday of Purim, and the entire community is invited to join the festive celebration on March 9, at the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center.

“A lot has happened in the past 12 months,” says Rabbi Shimy Heidingsfeld, who together with his wife Devorah, heads up the fledgling organization. “We proudly serve the needs of the locals with our adult education classes, women’s activities, Hebrew School, iTeens club, Shabbat services and holiday awareness programs.

Azita Sehati and her family have been enjoying all that Chabad has to offer since they opened. ”Chabad is such a warm and welcoming place and it provides such a wonderful atmosphere for everyone who attends“. Lisa Gailey agrees. ”My teenagers love going to the teen events. In this day and age, where kids are hard to please, I think this says a lot about Chabad“

The energy and enthusiasm that inspires the success of Chabad can be attributed to the dynamic and creative young rabbi and his wife. ”It’s just amazing what they have to offer“ said Ed Sherman, a regular at the weekly Torah class. ”In the short amount of time since their arrival they’ve organized so many educational and fun opportunities.

By balancing religious services with tie-dyeing, fruit sculpting, a day at the spa, jewelry making and similar activities, Rabbi Shimy and Devorah have managed to reach a segment of the Jewish population that categorizes itself as unaffiliated.

In December, Chabad hosted an outdoor Chanukah event in the Ralph’s Shopping Center featuring the kindling of a large menorah and an Xtreme performance by the BMX Bike Show. “Many who attend our events are not synagogue goers,” explains Rabbi Shimy. “So we meet them on their own turf, in shopping malls and the like.”

The couple acknowledge the challenges of slowly building a Jewish community, especially in these difficult economic times, but their spirit is not dampened. “Judaism with a smile is what we’re all about”, laughs Devorah. “Our goal is to make everyone comfortable, regardless of their background or amount of knowledge. Our emphasis is on what unites us, and not on what divides us as a people.”

Like all Chabads the world-over, (there are over 3500 centers globally) they don’t charge for membership and their programs are nominally priced. Chabad prefers to rely on donations from grateful supporters, explains Rabbi Shimy. “When people appreciate what you’re doing for their community they’re eager to help. Families have opened their homes to host events and those who are able to have made financial contributions.”

The upcoming Jewish holiday of Purim marks exactly one year since Chabad opened its doors locally. All are invited to attend this year’s joint Festival and Anniversary Celebration at the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center. The event will take place on Monday, March 9, 7:00pm. There is no charge.

Purim commemorates the rescue of the Jewish nation in ancient Persia in the year 356 BCE, from an evil plot of annihilation and is a fun-filled holiday replete with holiday cheer, tasty treats, costume parties and helping the needy. Purim serves as an eternal reminder of G-d’s providence and ever-watchful eye to save the Jewish people from catastrophe. The miraculous events are recounted with the traditional reading from the Scroll of Esther.For more information about the Chabad Jewish Center of Moorpark, please visit www.JewishMoorpark.com or call 805-807-8684.