Chabad Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Center & Torah Writing Ceremony

GOSHEN, NY [CHI — On Sunday, January 23, a large crowd gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Chabad’s new Monroe-Chester Center. The celebration also included a ceremony inaugurating the writing of a brand new Torah scroll.

For the past seven years, Chabad of Orange County has been serving the community, regardless of background or affiliation, and operating its vast array of Torah classes, youth and teen programs, Hebrew School, pre-school activities and synagogue services from office spaces in Goshen and Monroe as well as in their home. But, as the community grew, (“yidle by yidle” as Rabbi Pesach Burston, director of Chabad, joked at the event) the Monroe Location was bursting at its seams.

“Our new Monroe-Chester Center follows the pattern of our growth, allowing Chabad to better serve the needs of the community” said Rabbi Pesach.

But even the new space, as expansive as it is, will only be temporary. In 2006, Chabad of Orange County purchased a seven-acre property on Gilbert Street in Monroe on which they hope to soon build a 16,000-square-foot facility. Until then, they plan to fill all of the intermediate location’s 3,200 square foot space with offices, a synagogue/multi-purpose room, classrooms, a kitchen, parking, a green area outside and a welcome lobby.

Chabad continues to serve the community out of its Goshen Location at 1997 17m, as well as this new Monroe-Chester Center, located at 1170 Route 17m, Suite 1, in Chester. “This new center is a wonderful stepping stone while we continue planning our future center” Chana Burston added.

Participants at the Grand Opening enjoyed a delicious brunch as they toured the new facility. Live music was played by musician David Dixler of Monroe. Rabbi Burston thanked the dedication of Chabad’s Board of Directors, who helped find the new center, “and the generosity of our supporters and help of our volunteers who helped make this a reality.”

Before the Ribbon Cutting, Monroe Village Mayor James Purcell greeted the community. “It may be cold outside, but you can really feel the warmth in here!” he said. The Mayor spoke of the importance of community and education, and thanked Chabad for their role in enhancing both of these areas through their warm and inviting approach. Monroe Town Councilman Gerard McQuade, Jr. also attended. A Certificate of Appreciation from County Executive Ed Diana for this event was read congratulating Chabad. Other Chabad rabbi’s from the area, such as Sullivan, Dutchess, Ulster and Rockland Counties also attended.

Rabbi Yisroel Rubin of Albany, Regional Director of Chabad of Eastern New York State, greeted the community as well. “It’s so nice to see how the community grew and is bursting. It’s no coincidence that Rabbi Pesach & Chana’s last name is ‘Burston’,” he joked.

The event also featured the inaugural Torah writing ceremony of the Orange County Community Torah Scroll. While the congregation has a Torah on loan, this Torah, written by the community for the community, will be their own.

Before the writing began, renowned scribe Rabbi Yehuda Clapman of Brooklyn offered a fascinating, educational workshop on the writing of a Torah. Members of the community were then honored to write a letter in the Torah with the scribe.

The Torah letters are written with strict, precise rules only in black and white,” explained Rabbi Yisroel Rubin, before writing a letter in the new Torah, “But it’s the community that surrounds and studies the Torah that gives it its local color!”

Chabad’s new center is tastefully decorated with an array of Jewish art, including brightly colored Jewish pop art, which hangs in the front lobby.

“The new space is really lovely,” says Gil Goetz, president of the Chabad Center’s board and a retired pharmacist. “It really meets all of our needs and presents great ‘eye appeal’ for our Chabad center. It’s very amenable and extremely welcoming.”

“It’s a warm space and my family really enjoys it,” says Sid Herhkowitz, whose son attends Chabad Hebrew School. For Hershkowitz and other Orange County families, the Chabad Center has filled a void in the community’s Jewish programming by establishing a women’s circle, open Torah classes and a 60+ student Hebrew school, among many other community services.

“We have grown so much through the years that we needed a bigger space,” says Sigal Szuchman, whose three children participate in Chabad programs. “Hopefully even more people will join us in this great location.”

To learn more about Chabad of Orange County, contact Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston at 782-2770, email rabbi@ChabadOrange.com or visit www.ChabadOrange.com.

Reuvena Leah Grodnitzky of Chabad.org contributed to this article.