New Synagogue Joins Fort Jackson

Shep Cutler feels good about helping put Columbia’s Chabad-Lubavitch of South Carolina on the map. He and his wife Joni donated $125,000 toward the establishment of a new synagogue, a permanent home for a community that has been renting space at an area country club for the past 10 years.

“It’s bringing credit to the wonderful work our rabbis are doing with our Jewish day school, and of course with the new facility for the synagogue,” Cutler said of the project.

The new facility will also house programs for Jewish soldiers at the nearby U.S. Army installation known as Fort Jackson.

Cutler, who met Rabbi Heshy Epstein more than a decade ago, said the rabbi’s dedication and that of his staff to Columbia’s Jewish community inspired him to contribute the funds and offer a challenge to others; he matched them dollar for dollar in funding the purchase of the new synagogue.

“Though I’m not a member, the love that I have for what they’re doing has made me reach out beyond what I thought was possible,” said the Columbia resident. “They’ve given us a new realization, a new appreciation of Judaism, a love for our religion and a love for our community.”

At the suggestion of Rabbi Henry Soussan, a member of the Chabad synagogue and a chaplain at Fort Jackson, Chabad partnered with the Aleph Institute, a non-profit organization that works to connect Jewish service members to their community and heritage no matter where in the world they find themselves.

As a training base for approximately 70,000 soldiers and home to the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force chaplaincy schools, Fort Jackson offers plenty of opportunities for the two communities to interact.

“Aleph has always been on the front lines of providing religious logistical materials and support,” said the organization’s executive director, Rabbi Aaron Lipskar.

The new facility, known as the Aleph House, will be a fully functioning synagogue, he said, and will also house a kosher kitchen, library, classes, computer area and recreation space.

“It’s a very, very exciting project, it’s a very unique project,” said Lipskar. “There’s nothing like it that’s been done before. We’re very excited to be a part of it.”

Additionally, it is expected to be home to a Jewish chaplaincy museum, the first of its kind in the country to specifically recognize the service of Jewish chaplains in the U.S. military.

“It’s a place where Jewish life in the military will be front and center,” said Lipskar.

The Right Price

Community member Michael Arnold, who has a background in real estate, helped find the right spot for the new synagogue, which among other specifications, had to be within walking distance of those who do not drive on the Sabbath.

“So that narrowed the search down pretty well,” said Arnold.

In the recent economic downturn, a video rental store went out business, leaving a 6,000 square foot freestanding building that sits on about an acre of property available.

“I said if we could figure out how to afford this, it would be outstanding,” recalled Arnold.

Three months ago, the price was right, said Epstein, executive director of Chabad of South Carolina. The principals signed a contract at the end of February and closed on the project in the beginning of April.

They expect to meet with the architect next week and after securing the proper permits, hope to begin construction in the summer.

“Our plan is to be in by Rosh Hashanah,” said Epstein. “It’s an ambitious plan, but we’re trying to make it happen.”

The broader Jewish community has been very supportive of the project as well, with letters of congratulations coming in from area Jewish leaders.

“There’s a lot of positive energy from the whole community supporting it, especially because we’ll be providing a wonderful oasis, a real energizing opportunity not just for the local community, but also for the soldiers,” explained Epstein. “It gives us a tremendous amount of flexibility; the space is ours 24/7.”

Two other Chabad rabbis and their wives will be teaching and running programs out of the center, and a board of directors made up of members of the community will also be involved in the facility’s ongoing operations.

Said Epstein: “We’re going to create a very vibrant and energetic center of Jewish life.”