EAST HAMPTON, NY — There is a fascinating synagogue in East Hampton, N.Y., a trendy hotspot on the eastern end of Long Island. Those who have the privilege to pray there can gaze out the window and see nothing but blue sky, sand and miles of the endless waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Indeed, in many ways, this synagogue is one-of-a-kind.
Long Islandís One-of-a-Kind Synagogue, 32 Years in the Making
EAST HAMPTON, NY — There is a fascinating synagogue in East Hampton, N.Y., a trendy hotspot on the eastern end of Long Island. Those who have the privilege to pray there can gaze out the window and see nothing but blue sky, sand and miles of the endless waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Indeed, in many ways, this synagogue is one-of-a-kind.
It all started 32 years ago in the town of Commack, N.Y.
Rabbi Leibel Baumgarten, now co-director with his wife Goldie of Chabad-Lubavitch of the Hamptons, was a young and energetic 16-year-old when he began traveling to Long Island to bolster Jewish youth involvement. The yeshiva student knew he had his work cut out for him: One of his first projects was to set up Jewish youth clubs throughout the island, and he visited Hebrew schools to spread the word about various programs and get-togethers. By the end of the decade, rabbinical students and seminary girls were commuting regularly to various Long Island towns to run successful youth groups of their own.
Their hard work and dedication paid off; the enthusiasm of the young Chassidim rubbed off on the local youth, and the kids in turn got their parents involved. It wasn’t long before each of the towns began supporting full-time emissaries. Today, Long Island boasts 28 Chabad centers.
