Jews Await Florida Community’s First-Ever Synagogue

Chanie Yarmush grew up helping her parents strengthen Jewish life in the Tampa Bay area, and now she and her husband, Rabbi Mendy Yarmush, are opening the first synagogue in the eastern half of Florida’s Pasco County, just north of Tampa.

The Yarmushes began serving Jewish people in the area in 2008 soon after their wedding, which drew hundreds of people from the Tampa Bay area and beyond. He’s from Toronto, while Chanie Yarmush’s parents, Rabbi Yossi and Sulha Dubrowski, have directed Chabad-Lubavitch of Tampa Bay for more than 30 years, and run Hebrew Academy, a Jewish day school for students in preschool through eighth grade. The Yarmushes lead a bustling Camp Gan Israel at that same location.

Further out in the northern suburbs, the couple have hosted most events at their Wesley Chapel home, but recently purchased a new building that will house the community’s first-ever synagogue.

“Growing up with my parents doing community work has always given me a desire and excitement to follow in their footsteps,” says Chanie Yarmush. “I am very lucky to have been given the opportunity to do that.

“Coming back to area has really been a dream and I’m thankful to have that opportunity, but it’s also daunting,” she adds. “When you have a center, you have a new responsibility. But it’s a good responsibility, allowing us to grow in our programming and services.”

Chabad of East Pasco/County Line’s new location is at a professional office park outside an upscale, well-known neighborhood called Seven Oaks. Rabbi Yossi and Dina Eber, who have run Chabad of West Pasco for several years, will continue to serve Jewish families on the other side of the rapidly growing county.

“After we found Rabbi Mendy and Chanie we were so impressed with them and we really loved them,” says Susan Thompson of Wesley Chapel, who serves on the synagogue board and is one of the founding members. “It’s been really good for our kids and good for our family.”

Thompson, whose family attends just about every event the Yarmushes host, says that he feels good “starting a synagogue from the ground up. It’s such a neat feeling to be part of that.”

The new building comprises about 3,000 square feet, though the congregation will use 1,800 of it to start. A room for children’s activities will adjoin the synagogue’s sanctuary.

“If the kids are happy, then the parents are more likely to attend,” notes Thompson.

The synagogue is expected to open in time for the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, which begin in late September.

“The new facility will allow us to expand our activities and programs that we provide to the community, while preserving the warm and intimate atmosphere that has attracted so many families and individuals,” says Mendy Yarmush, adding that members of the community have really stepped up in support of the project.

“We were surprised by the turnout in such a new community,” says Chanie Yarmush. “The feedback has been phenomenal, and the numbers are shocking. That we have been able to open a center so soon, I wasn’t anticipating that.”

The couple estimates that about 35 families would be considered actively involved, while a few hundred other people attend such big events as the public Chanukah menorah lighting at nearby Wiregrass Mall.

“Everything is open to the public, and you don’t have to be a member,” says the rabbi, pointing out that the synagogue will not charge an annual fee.

In addition to the synagogue, the Yarmushes’ popular Mommy and Me program will continue, and a new monthly children’s program called Kids in the Kitchen will feature hands-on activities based on Jewish holidays and themes. The Chabad center also hosts a monthly Women’s Circle program.

“Having a set location for everything is going to be very exciting,” says Chanie Yarmush.

Linda and Hillel Abramov of Land O’ Lakes began attending Chabad programs a couple years ago. They started slowly at first but have since found their niche.

“We absolutely love them,” Linda Abramov says of the Yarmushes. “When we first started to go, we weren’t really that involved. But because of how friendly they are and how genuine of a group it is, they really got us to be part of the community.

“They really make you part of the family as opposed to just a synagogue,” she continues. “They know what’s going on in your lives. You become part of their family and they become part of yours.”

Mandy Mendelson lives in Wesley Chapel with her husband and one-year-old son. They started attending functions in 2008 with the public menorah lighting.

“It was a very fun event and it really just opened the door to a lot of the holidays that we hadn’t been celebrating,” explains Mendelson.

She sees the synagogue in the same light.

“People feel like we’re all a part of it,” says Mendelson. “When the new synagogue opens, it’s like we all have a place.”