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

SUPPORT OUR
CO
UNITY,

SHOP WITH OUR

AD ERTISERS!

Mention that you

18 July

30

•

2015

IN

saw

them in the IN!