ihNU.,
To The West from page 16
classes,
teen
programming, a Facebook page
and an email newsletter.
constantly meeting new people:'
Estie Greenberg said. "But we meet people
one by one. To us, each individual is impor
"We
are
tant. When we meet another Jew in the
get very excited.
Commerce area,
Many
people have seen our sign and have stopped
by or contacted us:'
Having a building has been a big attrac
we
ber Diana Freilich, who
"Prior to this, the center was
of our home:' Rabbi
"Sometimes
run
out
Greenberg said.
people feel uncomfortable step
moved by the
morning's program.
"Rabbi Greenberg explained how they are
here in Commerce thanks to the vision and
blessings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe [the late
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson] who
loved and cared for every Jew and inspired
his followers to establish Jewish communi
throughout the world:' she said.
Congregant Joey Niskar of West
ties
Bloomfield acted
tion.
was
as
master of ceremonies.
spoke of his love ofChabad for its open
ness and welcoming demeanor to Jewish
"He
people of all levels of observance:' Freilich
ping into someone's home, but now with the
said.
center, it's their home. It
ribbon cutting, a
buffet brunch catered by Chef Cari Kosher
belongs to every
body. Having a home for our community is
an amazing feeling:'
The
congregation relies on donations,
membership dues or build
Many make a monthly commit
ment to help cover the center's operational
budget.
with
no
annual
ing fund.
Most of the
$430,000 cost toward the
and renovation of the
build
purchase
ing has been donated, with the rest expected
over
new
the next few months.
Chabad
Support
Among the more than 150 guests at the
building dedication was synagogue mem-
The event included
a
Catering, music by Ben Opengeym and a
bounce house for the kids.
A presentation recognized "pillars:'
community members who helped fund
the
new
building:
Katrina and Arthur
The
sanctuary at the Chabad
Jewish Center of
Frank Trionfi of Wolverine Lake.
The late Esther Manko also
pillar.
grandmother to our children
was a
Gluzman, Pauline and Emil Izrailov, Barbara
"She was like
and Manus Krasman, Naomi and Vadim
Matatov, Edward Shapiro, [acki and Gordon
and remembered Chabad of Commerce in
Smith, all of Commerce; Julie and Eugene
Sherizen of Huntington Woods; Victoria
and Richard Birdoff of New York; Aimie
a
her will:' Estie
Greenberg said.
Looking to reach out to attract Jewish
members from Commerce, Walled Lake,
Milford and White Lake, she said about half
and Michael Rosner and Robin and Howard
of their members
Schwartz, all of West Bloomfield; Diana
and Sy Freilich of White Lake; and Sue and
that were
came
from congregations
not near
their homes, with the rest
unaffiliated before
coming to the synagogue.
Commerce/Walled Lake
"The Jewish Center building itself is a
marvel:' Freilich said. "The sanctuary has
beautiful stained glass artwork every direc
tion you may look. The classroom is stand
ing by, just waiting for children to fill it, as
they do every Sunday.
"In this repurposed old house, one can
now
find
a
beautiful,
warm
and welcom
ing place to pray, to learn and to
gather as a
family:' D
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18 July
30
•
2015
IN
saw
them in the IN!