New Five Towns Chabad Center Focuses on Family

Richard Obshatko of Hewlett, NY, hasn’t been formally affiliated with a synagogue for years. Still, he believes that “every Jew needs to go to shul on Rosh Hashanah,” and after conducting some research recently, he found a newly-minted Chabad-Lubavitch center practically in his backyard.

“It was a small service, but it was so inviting,” Obshatko enthused, noting that since its founding in March by Rabbi Nochem and Rivkie Tenenboim, Chabad of Hewlett has attracted quite the following.

At first, the Tenenboims scrambled to find appropriate space for the growing number of Jews who came to the new center.

“In the beginning, we used our home as a base,” says Rivkie Tenenboim, who hails from the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. “We rented a school for Shavuot and used our own living room for Rosh Hashanah. We borrowed a conference room for Yom Kippur. In December, we finally found and rented our own quarters.”

This past week, the Tenenboims held their first Friday night service at the new Chabad House.

“We call it a Friday night program rather than ‘service,’ ” explained the rabbi, a native of Kfar Chabad, Israel. “The term ‘service’ is too formal. We like to inspire people through singing, dancing, and lots of good food.

“Our main goal,” he added, “is to focus on each individual.”

Obshatko appreciates those efforts.

“I never really felt connected to Judaism,” he said, “but Chabad accepts you as you are.”

Recently, Obshatko had to be rushed into an emergency surgery. Tears came to his eyes when he recalled the ordeal and how the Tenenboims treated him like family.

“Every day after the surgery, Rabbi Tenenboim came to my house to learn with me,” detailed Obsthatko. “He took my tefillin to be checked and he lent me his so that I would be able to don them daily.”

The Tenenboims invited Judy Metz to their Friday night meal after a random encounter. Metz, who describes herself as a secular Jew, accepted the invitation. Through the course of the evening, a lively discussion ensued.

“When the rabbi asked me a question, I answered, saying, ‘Rabbi, I am a very bad Jew.’ The rabbi turned to me and smiled,” recalled Metz. “ ‘There’s no such thing as a bad Jew,’ he said. I immediately fell in love with the Teneboims and what they stand for.”

After the freak October snow storm of 2011, the Tenenboims called to see how Metz was holding out.

“I mentioned that I didn’t have milk,” she recalled. “The rabbi went out in the snow to look for kosher milk for me.”

Now, Metz participates in Torah courses with Rivkie Tenenboim and joins her granddaughters for weekly challah baking sessions at the center.

The Tenenboims, who work alongside Chabad of the Five Towns’ longtime directors, Rabbi Zalman and Chana Wolowik, make a special emphasis on creating family events and programs that involve children. Their offerings include Bar and Bat Mitzvah lessons, Hebrew classes, and more.

“Kids really are our future,” stated Nochem Tenenboim.

Shirley Lane’s daughter learned Hebrew with Rivkie Tenenboim. She said she was surprised and delighted when both came to her daughter’s school graduation.

“My elderly father came as well,” said Lane. “He was touched that they cared enough to come. When my father passed away in August, the Teneboims were the first to come to our house and give condolences.”

Last month, hundreds of Hewlett residents showed up for the Chabad House’s Chanukah celebration and public menorah lighting.

“We believe in focusing on the needs of the people in the community,” said the rabbi. “We focus on teaching and trying to inspire people to become more aware of their Judaism.”