W

ith the last Jewish 
temple in Livonia 
closed in 2011, the 
Wayne County community went 
more than 10 years without 
a central gathering point for 
Jewish residents.
When Beit Kodesh closed its 
doors after more than 50 years 
in operation, Livonia faced a 
void. “There was no real com-
munity center in Livonia,
” says 
Rabbi Tzemach Shemtov, 27.
Shemtov, who grew up in 
Toledo and attended school in 
Oak Park, began searching for 
a home one year after marrying 
his wife, Devora, 25. The couple 
specifically looked for a location 
where they could be of help to 
the Jewish community. One city 
they considered was Livonia.
“
A lot of people who live with-
in a few blocks of one another 

don’t even know there are other 
Jews around,
” he says of the city. 
Therefore, the Shemtovs 
decided to launch Chabad 
Jewish Center of Livonia to help 
Livonia and Wayne County Jews 
connect and build a community.
Moving to Livonia six months 
ago, the Shemtovs opened the 
center at the same time and 
currently run programming out 
of their home. Over the past six 
months, they’ve met more than 
70 Jewish families in Livonia and 
continue their outreach efforts to 
identify more Jewish residents.
Prior to opening the center, 
Shemtov said many Livonia 
residents traveled to West 
Bloomfield or Farmington Hills 
for Jewish community needs or 
programming. Now, interest in 
Chabad Jewish Center of Livonia 
is peaking, and Shemtov says 

they may need to find a bigger 
space.
“For each holiday, we’ve had 
[programming],
” he explains. 
Recent events have included a 
Lag b’Omer barbecue, a wom-
en’s circle and a challah bake. 
Depending on the program, 
Shemtov says the center sees 
anywhere from five to 15 or 
more people attend.
“It’s getting a little squished,
” 
he laughs. However, there 
are more area Jews to reach. 
Shemtov says he continues to 
seek out Livonia residents with 
Jewish-sounding last names or 
to connect with people on social 
media to generate awareness 
about the new center and its 
offerings.

Over the upcoming High 
Holidays, Shemtov says the cen-
ter plans to hold Rosh Hashanah 
programming. On the first day 
of Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 26, 
Chabad Jewish Center of Livonia 
is hosting a shofar blowing at 
4:30 p.m. followed by a commu-
nity dinner. On Tuesday morn-
ing, Sept. 27, they will also host 
services at 10 a.m. with a kids’ 
program and traditional lunch.
As parents of two children, 
Mussia, 2, and Chana, 5 months, 
the Shemtovs understand 
the need for parent- or fami-
ly-friendly programming. Plans 
for the center’s future include 
a Mommy and Me club, a 
Jewish kids club, teen programs, 
Hebrew school and more.
Chabad Jewish Center of 
Livonia is also starting a weekly 
parshah, or Torah portion, class.
Shemtov says lifecycle events, 
like bar and bat mitzvahs or 
weddings, are opportunities 
that the center can help with as 
well.
“Our goal is to create a warm 
and welcoming environment 
for the Jewish community of 
Livonia and surrounding 
cities throughout Wayne 
County,
” Shemtov says, “where 
every Jew, regardless of their 
background or affiliation, can 
feel welcome.
” 

A New Jewish 
Center in 
Wayne County

OUR COMMUNITY

Chabad Jewish Center of Livonia fills 
a gap in the Jewish community.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

18 | SEPTEMBER 22 • 2022 

Rabbi Tzemach Shemtov, Devora 
Shemtov and children Mussia 
and Chana 

The Lag b’Omer 
BBQ at the 
Chabad Jewish 
Center of Livonia

A recent 
Women’s 
Circle event

